How to Create Peanut Butter
Creating your peanut butter at home is simpler than you might think. With just a few ingredients and a food processor, you can have delicious, creamy peanut butter in no time. Here’s how to create peanut butter from scratch.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of unsalted roasted peanuts
- 1-2 tablespoons of honey or sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt (optional, to taste)
- 1-2 tablespoons of peanut oil or another neutral oil (optional, for a smoother texture)
Equipment:
- Food processor or high-powered blender
- Spatula
- Airtight jar or container for storage
Instructions:
- Prepare the Peanuts:
- Start by using unsalted roasted peanuts. If you prefer a more intense flavor, you can roast raw peanuts in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until they’re golden brown. Let them cool before using.
- Blend the Peanuts:
- Place the peanuts in a food processor. Begin processing on a low setting, gradually increasing to high speed. The peanuts will go through several stages: first, they’ll crumble into a fine powder, then clump together, and finally, they will become creamy. This process takes about 4-6 minutes.
- Adjust the Texture:
- If you like your peanut butter to be a bit runnier, add 1-2 tablespoons of peanut oil and continue processing until you reach your desired consistency. If you prefer a thicker peanut butter, you can skip this step.
- Sweeten to Taste:
- For a touch of sweetness, add honey or sugar and blend again. Taste as you go, adding more if needed.
- Season with Salt:
- Add salt to taste if you use unsalted peanuts. This will enhance the flavor of the peanut butter.
- Store Your Peanut Butter:
- Transfer the peanut butter to an airtight jar or container. It can be stored at room temperature for up to a week, but refrigerate it for a longer shelf life for up to a month.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – 2 tablespoons):
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Sugars: 1g
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 5mg (more if salt is added)
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Peanut Butter Too Thick: If peanut butter is too thick or dry, add more oil. Add it slowly, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
- Peanut Butter Too Runny: If your peanut butter is too thin, you can either reduce the amount of oil or blend in more peanuts to thicken it up.
- Overheating Food Processor: Processing the peanuts for too long can cause the food processor to overheat. If this happens, pause and let the machine cool down before continuing. You can also process the peanuts in short bursts to avoid overheating.
- Peanut Butter Not Creamy: If your peanut butter isn’t getting creamy enough, keep blending! Sometimes it just takes a little more time. Scrape down the sides of the food processor periodically to ensure even blending.
Tips:
- For chunky peanut butter, reserve 1/4 cup of the peanuts, chop them roughly and stir them into the smooth peanut butter after blending.
- You can experiment by adding cocoa powder for chocolate peanut butter or cinnamon for a warm, spicy twist.
Vitamix Peanut Butter Recipe 2024
This recipe utilizes the powerful blades of your Vitamix to create a smooth and creamy peanut butter in just a few minutes.
Type: dessert
Keywords: Vitamix Peanut Butter
Total Time: 2 mitues
Recipe Ingredients:
- 2 cups raw peanuts (unsalted for more control over sodium)
- Pinch of sea salt (optional)