Raw Recipe: Almond Butter
Making nut butters can be a little tricky. I used to think that I had to do them in my Vitamix, which would drive me batty with all the scraping down that was required. Other times, I would have a fail, only because I quit too early. I didn’t realize how much time it takes, and the process that the nuts have to go through. But if you have a little patience, you can make nut butters that are fabulous. You will never want to buy them again! Almond butter is a good one to start with.
I used my Kitchen Aid 12 cup food processor. It is a strong processor. The bottom warms up a little bit but if you are using an older processor, or a processor with a much weaker motor, common sense needs to prevail.
After 2 minutes it will look like this.
After 4 minutes it will look like this.
After 6 minutes it will look like this.
Around 8 minutes, the almond mixture will ball up. Just let it keep going.
At 10 minutes it has begun to redistribute, but it is not done yet. You want to wait until the oils get released.
At 12 minutes the almonds have released their oil and the butter is ready! If you want to add honey or salt, stir it in by hand.
*Chef’s Note: If using soaked, dehydrated (dried) almonds, you may need to add a little oil. This recipe requires the use of completely dry almonds.
Almond Butter
MAKES 1 1/4 CUPS ALMOND BUTTER
- 2 cups Almonds
- 1 tablespoon Raw Honey (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt (optional)
- Place almonds in food processor. Process for 8-12 minutes. You will need to scrape down the sides in the beginning. If you choose to use the honey and salt, stir in by hand after the butter is made as it will seize the mixture if you try to add it before.
*Chef’s Note: If using soaked, dehydrated (dried) almonds, you may need to add a little oil. This recipe requires the use of completely dry almonds.
Jessy (squeezetheday) wrote on December 14, 2011
I’ve made homemade almond butter before, but my food processor is weak, so I only do it once in a while.
What do you mean with ”If you choose to use the honey and salt, stir in by hand after the butter is made as it will seize the mixture if you try to add it before.”, though?
Susan wrote on December 14, 2011
Exactly what it says…it can seize the mixture, meaning change the texture and harden it if you add it while you are actually making the butter. It is best to stir it in by hand when it is done.
sherrie wrote on December 7, 2011
All I have to say is that I wish I would have discovered this website and read this recipe BEFORE I made this glue-like mixture that I am currently eating on a piece of toast with a lovely cup of coffee….Happy days ahead!!! I will try this recipe tomorrow…along with many of the other wonderful recipes that I have noticed while eating my “glue”::}}
Tracy wrote on December 2, 2011
Thank you so much the pictures and shows the consistence of almond butter sequence in each stage of process. It works like a charm to me. It took me 45 minutes for 1 1/2 cup of almonds. Really Appreciated.
Karen Wolf wrote on November 20, 2011
Wow, I was also making almond butter in my Vitamix but it never seemed to get the right consistency. Tried it with my Kitchen Aid food processor and worked like a charm, thank you so much!
Farren wrote on October 27, 2011
Oh one more idea, maybe try making chocolate almond butter!? I might just try that myself.
Farren wrote on October 27, 2011
Well this is AWESOME! I used a blender (ninja) and it worked pretty well. I did have to scrape down the sides A TON but it was worth it. I added a little oil after a bit and that helped to speed up the process. Thanks for the recipe! BTW, did the coconut butter too, I AM OBSESSED. I eat a few spoonfuls a day. I tried cooking with it but it burned, so wouldn’t suggest that
Thom wrote on October 25, 2011
Took me a bit longer because the almonds kept getting pushed to the outside walls. I have a rather large food processor so I had to stop every few seconds to scrape the almonds back down with a rubber spatula so the blades could reach and mix 😛
Thanks for the recipe!
Gracie wrote on October 12, 2011
Just made this tonight, YUM! Thanks!
MacDaddy46703 wrote on October 12, 2011
GREAT RECIPE!!! I have made Almond Butter many times even using our Vita Mix. This is the best finished product I have ever made. Thanks for sharing it….