Making homemade peanut butter is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. With just a few ingredients and a food processor or high-powered blender, you can create fresh, creamy peanut butter that’s far superior to most store-bought versions. This recipe gives you complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to avoid unnecessary additives, excess sugar, and preservatives while creating a pure, natural spread that showcases the true flavor of roasted peanuts.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
This simple recipe succeeds because it focuses on the essential elements that make great peanut butter. Starting with dry-roasted peanuts provides the best flavor foundation, while the minimal addition of salt enhances the natural nuttiness. The optional peanut oil creates the perfect creamy consistency without overwhelming the peanut flavor, and a touch of natural sweetener balances any bitterness. The key is processing long enough to achieve your desired texture while avoiding over-processing that can make the mixture too hot.
Ingredients
- Dry roasted peanuts – Provide the rich, nutty base with concentrated flavor
- Salt – Enhances natural peanut flavor and balances sweetness
- Peanut oil – Creates smooth, creamy texture when desired (optional)
- Honey, agave nectar, or sugar – Adds natural sweetness if preferred (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Using a Food Processor:
- Add peanuts: Place dry-roasted peanuts in the food processor bowl.
- Initial processing: Process for 1-2 minutes until peanuts begin breaking down into smaller pieces.
- Check consistency: Stop and scrape down sides. Check the texture and taste the mixture.
- Add seasonings: Add salt, peanut oil (if you want creamy peanut butter), and sweetener if desired.
- Final processing: Process for an additional 1-2 minutes until desired consistency is reached. The mixture will go from chunky to creamy as natural oils are released.
- Adjust as needed: If too thick, add a bit more oil. If not salty enough, add more salt.
Using a High-Powered Blender (Vitamix):
- Blend peanuts: Process peanuts for 1 minute until they begin forming a paste.
- Season: Add salt, oil, and sweetener if desired.
- Final blend: Process for an additional 30 seconds until smooth and creamy.
- Check consistency: Stop and taste, adjusting seasonings as needed.
Chef’s Notes
Processing times may vary depending on your equipment’s power. High-powered blenders work faster than food processors. If using honey-roasted peanuts, they’re often perfectly seasoned without additional salt or sweetener. Don’t worry if the mixture seems dry at first – the natural oils will release as processing continues.
Storage & Freshness Instructions
- Room Temperature Storage: Store in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to 3 months. Natural separation is normal – stir before using.
- Refrigerator Storage: Keeps for up to 6 months in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature for easier spreading.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 1 year in airtight containers. Thaw at room temperature and stir well before using.
Love Peanut Butter? Check out all of these great peanut butter recipes
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
- Peanut Butter Lovers Reese’s Snack Mix
- Homemade Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Cups
Find lots of easy DIY recipes right here on CopyKat!
How to Make Homemade Peanut Butter Easy Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dry roasted peanuts
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil use if you want creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon honey agave nectar, or sugar to sweeten if desired
Instructions
- Depending upon your food processor or heavy-duty blender times to process peanuts may vary. Place peanuts in the vessel. Process in a food processor for 1 to 2 minutes, check the consistency, and taste. Add salt, oil (if you want creamy peanut butter), and sweetener if desired.
- Process for an additional minute or two. If using a heavy duty blender like a Vitamix process or 1 minute and season with sugar, oil, and salt if desired. Process for an additional 30 seconds. I find if you use honey roasted peanuts they are almost perfectly seasoned.
Love how easy this is to make. Also great that I know exactly what is in it and that I can climate the sugar or salt if I like.
Can you tell me if stevia could be used in this recipe instead of some of the other sweeteners, and if so liquid or powder? Trying to cut down on my grams sugar…Thanks in advance.
Debbie
To be honest, I haven’t tried this before. I am more familiar with coconut sugar. I think the coconut sugar would work ok.