Homemade Vegan Peanut Butter
If you open up that pantry door, it’s likely that there is a jar of peanut butter sitting there, but, have you ever read through the ingredients? Many of the ingredients – hydrogenated oils, sugar, and other additives – aren’t great for our health, but that can easily be fixed with my homemade vegan peanut butter!
My homemade peanut butter is made with just one simple ingredient – peanuts! In just a few minutes, you’ll have a smooth (or crunchy) peanut butter ready to enjoy.
Doctor it up!
When I say my vegan peanut butter is just peanuts, I really mean it! All you have to do is place the peanuts in a food processor and blend until your desired consistency. That being said, you certainly can doctor it up, adding sweetener or different flavorings. Below are a few of my favorite additions:
- Salt – Salt brings out the flavor of the peanuts, making this vegan peanut butter even more delicious.
- Roasted Peanuts – Using roasted versus raw peanuts gives this vegan peanut butter a more robust, nutty flavor, as it releases the aromatic oils in the peanuts. If using roasted peanuts, opt for the unsalted variety and add your own salt when making the vegan peanut butter.
- Maple syrup or maple sugar – Adding maple syrup or maple sugar will impart a delicate maple flavor and sweetness to this vegan peanut butter.
- Chocolate – If you’re a chocolate lover, you can add chocolate chips or cocoa powder! This addition is my personal favorite.
Note: You can also add honey or use honey roasted peanuts for this peanut butter recipe, however, honey is not a vegan ingredient.
Sweet and savory preparations
Peanut butter is often featured in breakfast and dessert dishes. From chocolate peanut butter cups to a topping on trendy smoothie and oatmeal bowls, peanut butter really pairs well with anything sweet.Â
Not only can you use this homemade vegan peanut butter in sweet preparations but you can use it in savory preparations, too! In some Asian cuisines, peanut butter is often an ingredient used in sauces. For example, you may see a peanut sauce paired with noodle dishes, or summer rolls!Â
Another savory dish you can use my homemade vegan peanut butter in is salad dressing! You can prepare a traditional oil and vinegar dressing with a dollop of this vegan peanut butter (and other seasonings you may enjoy) to add a creamy, nutty and nutritious element to your salad.
Peanut butter sure has come a long way from its PB&J days!
Health benefits of peanut butter
While peanut butter is often marketed as a nut, it is actually a legume!1 However, their nutritional profile more closely resembles tree nuts, hence why they’re often bundled under the same umbrella.1 That being said, let’s get into the nutritional benefits of peanuts and my homemade vegan peanut butter.
Peanuts are full of nutrients that play many roles throughout the body. While we can’t get into all of the nutrients in this post, I’ll discuss the most notable: protein, niacin and manganese.2
Peanuts have about 7 grams of protein per one ounce serving.2 These 7 grams, along with all the other protein you consume throughout the day, help with wound healing, cell structure and overall, cell function.3Â
Niacin, a micronutrient (or a nutrient needed in smaller amounts), is important for a variety of metabolic processes, specifically the breakdown of the macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat) we consume.4Â
Lastly we will look at manganese – another micronutrient – whose role, among many, is to support the immune system, the breakdown proteins and carbohydrates, as well as assist with bone formation.5 Peanuts are a really nutrient-packed food!
Let me know what you think of my homemade vegan peanut butter in the comments below or on my Instagram @ChefAbbieGellman.
Similar pages
If you loved my homemade vegan peanut butter, check out my Pistachio Nut Butter, my Instant Pot Oatmeal with Peanut Butter, and my Blueberry Chia Jam!Â
Resources
- Legume of the month: peanuts. Harvard Health Publishing website. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/legume-of-the-month-peanuts#:~:text=Even%20though%20%22nut%22%20is%20in,walnuts%2C%20almonds%2C%20and%20hazelnuts. Accessed January 15, 2021.Â
- Linton J. Peanut Nutrition 101. National Peanut Board website. https://www.nationalpeanutboard.org/wellness/peanut-nutrition.htm. Accessed January 15, 2021.
- What are proteins and what do they do? MedlinePlus website. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/howgeneswork/protein/#:~:text=Proteins are large, complex molecules,the body’s tissues and organs. Published September 18, 2020. Accessed January 15, 2021.
- Niacin. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements website. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Niacin-HealthProfessional/. Accessed January 15, 2021.
- Manganese. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements website. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Manganese-HealthProfessional/. Accessed January 15, 2021.
Ingredients
- 2 cups peanuts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil or a neutral flavored oil
Instructions
- In a food processor, add peanuts and salt and turn on to process.
- As peanuts start to break down and clump, stop the food processor and scrape down sides.
- Continue to process the peanuts and slowly add oil while machine is running. Stop to scrape sides as necessary and process until peanut butter is smooth and creamy.
Video
Notes