Homemade Peanut Butter: the 10 Minute Step-by-Step Recipe

Peanut butter is a delicious cream made from toasted and then blended peanut seeds. Typical of our American tradition, it can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack, spread on toast with jelly, on biscuits or added to yogurt, pancakes, ice cream and desserts. It seems that the inventor of the recipe if George A. Bayle JR, a pharmacist from Saint Louis, who at the end of the 1800s created peanut butter as a protein substitute for meat for the poorest sections of the population. An excellent source of proteins, but above all of good fats, it is suitable for those intolerant to gluten and for those who follow a vegetarian diet. To make it vegan, you can replace the honey with agave syrup.

The quantity of peanuts refers to peanuts already shelled and peeled, otherwise calculate about 100 grams more. If you bought the peanuts fresh and not pre-cooked, you must first put them in the oven at 321°F/160°C for about ten minutes. You can also use already roasted peanuts, in shell or without, but they still need to be baked again. Packaged and salted ones, on the other hand, are best if avoided, because the risk is that the peanut butter will end up being excessively salty (even if you don't add more salt). Finally, use peanut seed oil: extra virgin olive oil, with its strong flavor, could compromise the final result. If you prefer, you can replace the honey with two teaspoons of brown sugar.

If you're a Peanut Butter Lover, come and find out how to make peanut butter at home following the step-by-step procedure and tips.

How to Make Peanut Butter

Distribute the peanuts evenly on a baking tray, lined with baking paper.

Toast them in the oven at 338°F/170°C for about 10 minutes. Then take them out of the oven and let them cool.

Pour the peanuts into a food processor.

Add the honey.

Then add the salt.

Finally, pour in the peanut seed oil.

Blend until you obtain a creamy consistency.

Mix with a spoon to uniform the cream.

Pour the peanut butter into a jar.

Close the jar.

Enjoy to your taste.

Some Tips on Homemade Peanut Butter

If you don't have a food processor, a blender would work as well. Even a mortar and pestle would do the trick, but it would take quite a long time.

Pause the blending periodically so you don't overwork the motor of your food processor.

For other tasty variations, use a mixture of nuts, add in some chocolate or cocoa powder, or a tablespoon or so of vanilla extract.

If your peanut butter is dry, you can blend in a little bit of oil to make it creamy and smooth. Use a neutral oil like canola oil or peanut oil.

How to Store Homemade Peanut Butter

Peanut butter will keep in the refrigerator for about two weeks, in an airtight jar. In case the peanut butter goes dry, follow these tips to revive it. Freezing is not recommended.