Peanut butter is an ingredient that you can easily and inexpensively make in your own kitchen. Making your own peanut butter can also be a healthier option than commercial peanut butter sold in stores, because homemade peanut butter is preservative-free. If you can find a good and cheap seller of peanuts, making peanut butter can also help you save money while serving delicious homemade peanut butter.
- Preparation time: 5-10 minutes
- Cooking time (by choice): 10 minutes
- Overall time: 5-20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 ml) peanuts
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (7 ml) peanut oil or vegetable oil (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) sugar (optional)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (7 ml) molasses, honey, or brown sugar (optional)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
For about 1 1/2 cups (350 ml) peanut butter
Step
Part 1 of 2: Making Peanut Butter
Step 1. Prepare the peanuts
Before using peanuts to make peanut butter, you should rinse them under cold water to get rid of any dirt. Then you can pat the peanuts dry. If the peanuts haven't been peeled, you'll need to peel the shells by hand, which is easier when they're dry; Peanuts don't have to be completely peeled either.
If you're using peanuts straight from the shell, use Valencia or Virginia peanuts for the best jam results. If you are roasting peanuts first, use Spanish peanuts, which have a higher oil content
Step 2. Roast peanuts (optional)
Some people prefer to roast the peanuts first before mashing them, so they are crispier and crispier. However, this is only an optional step and can also slow down your cooking time, so decide for yourself whether or not to roast the peanuts; You can also buy pre-roasted peanuts. However, if you want to roast the peanuts first, here's what you should do:
- Put the peanuts in a bowl and pour some peanut oil or vegetable oil over them.
- Preheat your oven to 176°C.
- Place the peanuts in a single layer evenly on the baking sheet. Make sure the peanuts don't overlap each other so they cook evenly.
- Roast the peanuts for about 10 minutes, until lightly coated with oil and golden brown.
- If you like, shake the pan about every 2 minutes to prevent the peanuts from scorching.
Step 3. Puree the peanuts in a food processor until smooth
Smooth it out with some vibrations. For best results, mash the peanuts while they are warm.
Step 4. Mash the peanuts for 1 minute
Peanuts will be softer and resemble the peanut butter you crave.
Step 5. Scrape any peanuts that stick around the bowl of the food processor and push down while grinding the peanuts, if necessary
Continue to grind the peanuts for 1 minute, scrape from around the food processor, and repeat until you reach your desired consistency. Puree the peanuts for 3 minutes should be enough.
Keep in mind that this peanut butter won't look as creamy as the one you buy at the store. Since the jam you make is more natural, don't expect it to look as soft as packaged peanut butter--even though it will taste much better
Step 6. Put the peanut butter in a bowl after you finish mashing it
Use a large spoon to remove it from the food processor.
Step 7. Add sugar and salt to taste if necessary
Taste your peanut butter and see if it needs a little more sugar and salt. When the peanut butter tastes how you want it, there's no need to add any more sugar and salt!
Step 8. Add a little brown sugar, molasses, or honey, if you prefer a sweeter jam
You can also replace molasses or honey with sugar, if you like. Some people prefer to add these flavorings in a food processor and grind them together with the peanuts; this depends on whether the tool you are using can be used to mix honey or other ingredients.
If you add these ingredients by hand, make sure to mix them well
Step 9. Put the peanut butter in an airtight container
Store in the refrigerator for a day or two to form a pretty peanut butter paste. Of course, the shelf life of homemade peanut butter will be shorter than that of commercial peanut butter, but chances are that your peanut butter will run out long before it's shelf-life is near.
You can store homemade peanut butter in the refrigerator for up to several weeks
Part 2 of 2: Using Peanut Butter in Recipes
Step 1. Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
What better way to enjoy peanut butter than making a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich? You can use the original recipe or add other ingredients to make it even more delicious.
Step 2. Make cookies from peanut butter
You can make delicious cookies easily using peanut butter, flour, brown sugar, and a few other ingredients. These cookies are even tastier when enjoyed with a glass of milk!
Step 3. Make peanut butter balls
If you're looking for a rich and luxurious peanut butter snack, this recipe is for you. All you need is peanut butter, a little powdered sugar, chocolate chips, and a few other ingredients.
Step 4. Make peanut butter cupcakes
If you want to make your own peanut butter cupcakes, all you need is chocolate, peanut butter, and some molds to form the cupcakes.
Step 5. Make peanut butter soup
Who says peanut butter can only be used to make sweets? You can make a delicious peanut butter soup with just milk, cinnamon, and delicious homemade peanut butter.
Step 6. Make Oreo and peanut butter brownies
This is a creative and delicious dessert made of peanut butter, Oreos, flour, and a few other key ingredients.
Tips
- In some cases, store-bought products show how to make peanut butter at home using their ingredients. This is another option for those who want to try making peanut butter the way above but using store-bought ingredients.
- If you like peanut butter that still has peanut flakes, set aside 1/4 cup of peanuts while blending the rest in a food processor. Stir in 1/4 cup of these peanuts once the rest of the peanuts are almost finished mashed and soft, then mash them all for a few more seconds to create the peanut flakes.
- Consider cutting back on the oil the next time you make peanuts so you don't use it at all. Natural peanut butter no contains other ingredients except peanuts, which are a very healthy and delicious protein-rich food.
- If it tastes too salty, add more honey or sugar.
- If you want to reduce the oil that separates from the peanut butter, use an oil that solidifies at room temperature, such as palm oil, coconut oil, or cocoa butter.
- Put a little water in the blender if you like creamy peanut butter.
