Recipe

4 Homemade Peanut Butters Better Than Anything in a Jar

By Jessica O'Connell at Grand Valley State University

Whether it's crunchy, creamy, sandwiched with jelly or straight from the jar, peanut butter is a versatile and beloved classic. But what if I told you there's a way to enjoy peanut butter even more by making it healthier and tastier? That's right, you can make your own peanut butter using just peanuts and a blender. You may want to hang on to your spoons for this one.

Not only is homemade peanut butter simple and easy to make, but it can also be made fun by adding in different flavors. Making it yourself means having the freedom to control every ingredient. Store-bought peanut butter isn't necessarily unhealthy, but it does contain added ingredients and preservatives that you really don't need in your diet. 

By using just peanuts as a base, you know exactly what you're eating and you're free to add any flavor you might be craving. But before we get crazy, let's cover some basics.  

Fancy flavors are fun, but you can never go wrong with just classic peanut butter. This recipe could not be simpler. Just throw some peanuts in your blender or food processor and watch the magic happen.

Classic Peanut Butter

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Servings: 12
Ingredients
  • 3 cups dry roasted peanuts

Jessica O'Connell

Step 1

Add peanuts to a food processor and place the lid on tightly.

Jessica O'Connell

Step 2

Pulse a few times to break peanuts into smaller pieces.

Jessica O'Connell

Step 3

Blend on medium speed until small clumps begin to form. Stop a few times during this stage and mix contents with a spatula to ensure even blending.

Jessica O'Connell

Step 4

Blend until peanuts form into a sticky ball. Again. mix and break apart the mass. You may need to do this a few times during this stage.

Jessica O'Connell

Step 5

Continue blending until mixture begins to look smooth and is evenly distributed throughout the blender once again. Mix occasionally to be thorough.

Jessica O'Connell

Step 6

Blend on a higher speed until you get an evenly smooth, loose peanut butter. When you dip a spatula in, the peanut butter should just barely run off the spatula.

Step 7

Empty contents into a jar or storage container and store in the fridge for up to a month. Enjoy your healthy, homemade peanut butter!

Now that we've covered the basics, let's have some fun with flavor. Once you've fully blended your peanuts into creamy goodness, try adding these flavors to take your peanut butter to the next level.

Vanilla Honey Peanut Butter

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Servings: 12
Ingredients
  • 3 cups dry roasted peanuts
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Step 1

Prepare your homemade classic peanut butter as directed above.

Step 2

Add vanilla and honey to the food processer containing your homemade peanut butter and blend until incorporated.

Maple Cinnamon Peanut Butter

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Servings: 12
Ingredients
  • 3 cups dry roasted peanuts
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Jessica O'Connell

Step 1

Prepare your homemade classic peanut butter as directed above.

Step 2

Add maple syrup and cinnamon to the food processor containing your homemade peanut butter and blend until incorporated.

Cocoa Peanut Butter

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Servings: 12
Ingredients
  • 3 cups dry roasted peanuts
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Jessica O'Connell

Step 1

Prepare your homemade classic peanut butter as directed above.

Step 2

Add cocoa powder to the food processor containing your homemade peanut butter and blend until incorporated.

From watching the peanuts transform before your eyes to impressing your friends with tasty peanut butter creations, you really can't go wrong with DIY peanut butter. You'll have it to enjoy for days after and it will taste even better knowing you made it yourself. Get your daily peanut butter fix by spreading it on a sandwich, serving it with celery or even baking it into cookies.

#SpoonTip: Mix your peanut butter into yogurt and use it as a dip, or just by itself for a tasty treat.