Healthy Nut Butter Recipes {Easy DIY Recipes to Save Money!} (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to make your own nut butter? ›

Although prices for store-bought nut butters can vary based on region, homemade versions will almost always be cheaper. To maximize savings, shop sales, and look out for stores that sell nuts in bulk.

"Of all the nut butters, walnut butter has the most omega-3 fatty acids," Andrea says. The healthful fat ratio helps lower LDL cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol, and reduce inflammation.

Nut butters will last for a long time if stored in an airtight jar. They'll last for at least a month at room temperature, or for at least 3 months in the fridge. I prefer to keep mine at room temperature, as that's when the texture is most creamy.

Peanuts are cheaper to grow.

The key reason peanut butter is cheaper than almond and other types of nut butter is that peanut butter is made from a cheaper raw material. “The cost comes down to what specific nut or legume is in the jar,” Dawn Kelley, president and CEO of Barney Butter, told HuffPost.

Almond Butter

Almonds have quickly become the go-to nut for many dieters and health enthusiasts. That's because almonds are rich in protein, magnesium, and calcium. Eating these nuts can help you enjoy stronger bones and muscles. Almond butter contains everything found inside of almonds, but it's a little richer.

Yes, it's OK to eat peanut butter every day (in moderation), says Largeman-Roth. That means sticking to the recommended serving size of two tablespoons, or close to that amount.

Walnuts: Have the highest amount of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) than any other nut. ALA is well known for its anti-inflammatory effects. It aids in lowering cholesterol, thus decreasing blood pressure, heart diseases and stroke.

A natural nut butter made with nuts and little else, on the other hand, will go rancid more quickly and should be refrigerated after opening.

Since homemade nut butter doesn't have added preservatives like most store-bought nut butters it can go rancid more quickly. The key is to limit your home made nut butter to light, heat and air, preferably keeping it refrigerated or even frozen.

How can you tell if nut butter is rancid? ›

You'll be able to tell fairly quickly tell if your peanut butter has turned rancid: It will have a metallic, bitter and almost stale smell. It may also be darker and dried out in appearance. If it's natural peanut butter, it may be moldy. Any of these features signal it's time to throw away your jar of peanut butter.

Avoid nut butters with added sweeteners such as sugar, corn syrup or molasses. Avoid nut butters with added oils such as hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Do not eat more than 2 tablespoons, approximately 32 grams, a day. This protein-packed spread is made by blending roasted peanuts into a thick paste and contains various nutrients that promote good health.

Make sure to moderate your portions to avoid unwanted weight gain. While most of the fat in peanut butter is relatively healthy, peanuts also contain some saturated fat, which can lead to heart problems when consumed in excess over time.

Homemade almond butter is more affordable, too.

Just compare the price of one pound of raw almonds to the price of your favorite almond butter. The cost savings depend largely on the almond butter. I've bought jars of almond butter at Trader Joe's for seven dollars, so there's not much savings opportunity there.

Butter isn't that expensive — it's about $3 per pound at the wholesale level. Cream costs roughly $3.50 for 16 ounces, or less if you buy a larger carton. That means the price of making your own butter isn't much more than buying it in the store, and often you can get organic cream cheaper than organic butter.

Surprisingly, homemade almond butter is not always cheaper than the store-bought version. If you compare them on a cost-per-ounce basis, 1 ounce of whole almonds costs more than 1 ounce of almond butter. In this case, homemade is better because of the flavor, not necessarily because of the cost.

You can make cashew butter and almond butter for anywhere from $3.50 to $4 per 16-ounce jar. And buying a jar of even the cheapest stuff is usually $5 or more. On peanut butter I'm partial to Jif — which you can get for about $3. Also keep in mind that homemade butters can split and need to be refrigerated.