Homemade Peanut Butter
Posted Apr 05, 2020, Updated Apr 23, 2024
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It only takes 2 ingredients and 5 minutes to make homemade peanut butter, and it’s so creamy and delicious you’ll think twice before buying store-bought! Follow our our step-by-step photos and video to learn how to make peanut butter in both a blender and a food processor!
If you’ve been around my blog for a minute then you know that my love for peanut butter runs deep. I’m fairly certain that all six of my sweet babies were fearfully and wonderfully made – out of 85% peanut butter.
I figured it was time that I showed you how to make peanut butter to be used in all the delicious peanut butter recipes you find here on my website! Especially for my overseas friends, who have told me that peanut butter is pricey and hard to come by where you live. Now with this post you can make homemade peanut butter whenever you want!
It only takes 1 (or two) ingredients and 5 minutes to make this peanut butter recipe. Which is awesome because you skip all the sugars and additives that are in some store-bought varieties! Plus, this recipe is really fun to make with kids as a rainy afternoon project.
Homemade Peanut Butter: Ingredients
There are really only two ingredients in this peanut butter recipe: peanuts and salt. However the variety of peanuts used will determine how much or how little salt is added!
- Peanuts. I recommend using roasted, unsalted peanuts to make this homemade peanut butter. That way you control how much and what kind of salt is added. I have found that using salted peanuts usually results in a final product that is too salty for my liking. I prefer roasted peanuts over raw peanuts just because of the flavor! Sometimes as an extra-special treat we even use honey roasted peanuts to make this peanut butter recipe. It’s so delicious you won’t even believe it! Just be sure to choose a honey roasted peanut that isn’t too salty and only contains natural ingredients!
- Sea salt. Listen, not all salt is created equally. That is why I recommend using naturally occurring salts (not man-made), like pure sea salt or mineral salt (Redmond sea salt is my favorite). Always start with a small amount and increase it to your tastes!
How to Make Peanut Butter
People often wonder, “How do you make peanut butter from scratch?” Well I’m here to tell you it couldn’t be any easier to make your own homemade peanut butter! It only takes 5 minutes and 1 or 2 ingredients! There are two ways to make homemade peanut butter:
- In a high-powered blender (Vitamix)
- In a food processor
How to Make Peanut Butter in a Blender
Making peanut butter in the Vitamix blender is so easy. Using a blender is my preferred method to make peanut butter because it yields the creamiest, smoothest result, and we love creamy peanut butter around here!
Yes, you can use a different high-powered blender to make this peanut butter recipe, but you know that I am fiercely loyal to my Vitamix. Check out my Vitamix buying guide to determine which Vitamix is best for you.
To begin, simply select your peanut variety of choice, then put 16 ounces (1 pound) of peanuts into the blending container.ย
Blend, starting on low speed and increasing to high. Use the tamper to press the peanuts into the blades. Blend for about 2 minutes, or until the peanut butter has reached your desired consistency.
Taste, and if you’d like to, add salt. Add a little bit at a time, pulsing and tasting after each addition. I find that about ยผ teaspoon sea salt is the perfect amount for 16 ounces of unsalted peanuts.ย
How to make crunchy peanut butterย
To make crunchy peanut butter, reserve about ยฝ cup of peanuts and set them aside while you are blending the rest. Add the peanuts after blending is complete, and pulse to combine until they are chopped to your liking.
How to Make Peanut Butter in a Food Processor
Using a food processor is just as easy as using a blender to make homemade peanut butter, the result is just a touch less creamy and a little thicker than it is with a Vitamix.
To begin, select your peanut variety of choice, then put 16 ounces (1 pound) of peanuts into the container of a food processor fitted with the “S” blade. Process for about 4-5 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth! You may need to pause halfway through, scrape down the sides, and continue processing.ย
Note that as the peanuts transform into peanut butter there will be many “stages” at one point a ball will form, that is normal and it will quickly spread out and become silky smooth peanut butter (check out the video to see all the stages).
Once the diy peanut butter has recached a smooth consistency, add sea salt (if desired), pulse to combine, taste and adjust if necessary.
Store
Once you’ve this homemade peanut butter recipe, you’ll need to store it (unless you’re using the whole recipe at once, which I would tip my hat to you for)!
This recipe yields about 14 ounces of peanut butter, which is about 1 ยฝ cups. I suggest storing it in a 16 ounce glass jar with a lid.
Serve
Use this peanut butter in your favorite peanut butter recipes – here are some of mine:
- Puppy chow – I make this all the time and have for decades!
- Monster Cookies
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal – made on the stovetop
FAQs about Homemade Peanut Butter
Here are some commonly asked questions about this peanut butter recipe!
If you usually buy natural peanut butter with one ingredient: peanuts, then you are looking at about the same nutrition profile between homemade and store bought. However if you usually buy name brands that have added sugars, stabilizers, and other ingredients that you can’t pronounce, then homemade is definitely healthier!ย
In this homemade peanut butter recipe there are only two ingredients – peanuts and salt (optional).
Inย my experience, it comes out to be about the same price. For example, at Trader Joe’s both a jar of peanut butter a the bag of peanuts required to make the same amount of peanut butter, are $1.99. If you shop somewhere else, a jar of peanut butter can be up to $6 (fancy healthy brands), so in that case making your own would be less expensive!
In our house, peanut butter never lasts long enough to need to be refrigerated. Plus, I prefer to store it at room temperature so it spreads easily. If you like your peanut butter thicker, then storing it in the refrigerator is a great choice because it thickens as it cools. Also, it will last longer!ย
Homemade peanut butter lasts for up to 2 months stored at room temperature, and 6 months when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.ย
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How to Make Homemade Peanut Butter
Instructions
- Place 16 ounces peanuts into the container of a high-powered blender (Vitamix) or food processor fitted with an "S" blade.
- Blend or process peanuts for 2-5 minutes, or until the peanut butter is smooth.
- If desired, add sea salt and pulse to combine.
- Transfer to a glass jar with a lid and store until you're ready to use.
Video
Notes
- 16 ounces peanuts equals 2 cups of peanutsย
- Nutrition information is calculated on this recipe making 12 oz (1 ยฝ cups) peanut butter, and for a serving size of 1 Tablespoon.ย
- Peanuts.ย roasted unsalted peanuts are the best in this recipe. However, honey roasted peanuts and raw peanuts are also great choices.ย
- Sea salt.ย using salt is optional but recommend if you use unsalted peanuts.ย
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Peanut butter is my ultimate go-to spread โ creamy, rich, and versatile! Whether slathered on toast, blended into a smoothie, or simply enjoyed by the spoonful, its nutty goodness never fails to satisfy. A pantry essential that adds a touch of comfort to every bite – homemade is best!
Have you tried making larger batches in the Vitamix? Would it work to double this in one go?
Hi..!
Iโm Itha from Indonesia.. Iโm very satisfied with your explanation about how to make peanut butter.. In my country, peanut butter very expensive, but raw peanut if I buy at traditional market is very cheap.. So, Iโm happy know you from Pinterest.. I love peanut butter. Now, I can make my own peanut butter anytime I want.. Thank you for your recipe.. ๐ Oh, FYI Iโm Green Smoohie addict too.. ๐
Hi..!
Iโm Itha from Indonesia.. Iโm very satisfied with your explanation.. I love Peanut Butter too.. In my country peanut butter is really expensive.. But, raw peanut actually very cheap.. So, Iโm very happy found your blog from Pinterest.. Itโs really help me to make my own peanut butter. Thank you.