Homemade Peanut Butter Recipe for Expats
Let’s chat about something near and dear to our hearts – peanut butter. Crafting your own peanut butter at home is like discovering a hidden gem – smooth, delicious, and surprisingly easy. Peanut butter is also one of the foods that American expats miss the most when living abroad.
Nowadays, it’s easier to find peanut butter where we live in Spain but we remember when it was a rare discovery. So I started making my own homemade peanut butter, which I continue to opt for over store-bought. Whether you live in the USA, or anywhere else in our beautiful world, dive into the origins, regional twists, and the joy of making your own jar of peanutty goodness with my homemade peanut butter recipe.
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Peanut Butter Recipe for Expats
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The Origins of Peanut Butter
Back in the day, ancient civilizations like the Aztecs and Incas used to mash up roasted peanuts into a paste. Fast forward to the 19th century, and Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (yeah, the cereal guy) patents a process that makes peanut butter a household staple. Today, we’re still adding our own twists to the classic recipe. It needs to be mentioned that peanuts aren’t nuts at all. They are beans!
Regional Twists of Peanut Butter
Just like everyone has their favorite way to make a sandwich, homemade peanut butter has regional variations. Some keep it simple, letting the peanuts lead the flavor profile. Others get creative, adding a bit of honey or sea salt. Down in Southeast Asia, they take it up a level, throwing in coconut and lemongrass for a unique flavor. I haven’t tried it that way, but it sounds interesting.
A Dark Side to Peanut Butter
The world is saturated with mass-produced peanut butter lining market shelves, so the quest for a healthier and purer alternative becomes more than a preference. Commercial peanut butter often conceals a dark secret within its creamy or crunchy facade – hidden ingredients like palm oil and artificial fillers, modified plant starch, and even wood!
The health-conscious consumer is well aware that not all peanut butters are created equal. Many store-bought varieties, in an attempt to cut costs and extend shelf life, compromise on nutritional integrity. Palm oil, in particular, is a common additive well known for its negative environmental impact and potential health concerns.
Making Your Own Peanut Butter
Blending peanut butter at home isn’t just a culinary adventure; it’s a deliberate choice for those seeking untainted goodness. When you make your own peanut butter, you take control of what goes into your spread, ensuring the purest, most nourishing experience. No mystery oils, no artificial fillers – just the wholesome goodness of roasted peanuts and the freedom to tailor your blend to perfection.
Once you make your own peanut butter, you can’t go back to store-bought. We savor the superior taste of homemade delight, but we also make a healthier indulgence. Double the batch and you can have a unique gift to give your homies!
Download Our Homemade Peanut Butter Recipe
Homemade Peanut Butter Recipe for Expats
Equipment
- Blender or Food Processor
Ingredients
- 2 cups Dry Roasted Peanuts Go unsalted if you're feeling natural or even smoked for a twist in taste profile.
- 2 tbsp Honey optional, for a touch of sweetness.
- 1 tsp Pumpkin Spice See below for special blend*.
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
- 2 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Pumpkin Spice Mix
- Cinnamon Adds warmth and sweetness.
- Ginger Provides a zesty and slightly spicy flavor.
- Nutmeg Offers a rich and nutty taste.
- Cloves Contributes a warm, sweet, and slightly bitter element.
- Allspice Combines flavors reminiscent of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Instructions
- Roast those Peanuts: Toss the peanuts onto a baking sheet and let them roast in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. Or you can buy them roasted. Try to get the freshest available.
- Once the peanuts cool, toss them into a blender or food processor. Hit that high-speed button and watch as the peanuts transform into a nutty powder.
- Creamy Transformation: Add in the honey, sea salt, and coconut oil. Blend again until you've got a velvety smooth blend that's ready to spread.
- Feeling adventurous? Toss in the salt and spices, and the dash of vanilla extract. Blend again until it's as creamy as you like.
- Store and Enjoy: Transfer your homemade peanut butter into a jar. Pop it in the fridge and it'll last for about three months. Spread it on toast, mix it into oatmeal, add to chicken korma or simply enjoy it by the spoonful. And remember, if the oil has separated some and appears on the top when you go to dish it out, that’s normal. Just give it a good stir before serving.
Notes
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Written by Eric J. Trujillo
Art Director & Film Producer
As a visual communicator and artist, I love bringing stories to life, traveling the world, and cooking. Visit StudioTrujillo.com to see what else I'm up to.
4 Comments
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Enjoyed reading about your peanut butter. I remember when we were in denia, you saying you did make your own, because I couldn’t find any there! You gave me a bag of peanut m & m’s to tide me over till I got home
Hi Judy! We love that you enjoyed Eric’s peanut butter recipe. We also remember him giving you those peanut M&Ms. They’re my favorite as well. Next time you come over, we’ll make sure to have his peanut butter made for you. Thanks for being our blog!
It sounds yummy. Definitely going to make this. God willing we are returning Oct. 15 to La Xara
Thank you Nancy! You’ll have to let us know how yours turns out when you make it and if you add your own special touch. It would be great to have back in Denia soon. Keep us posted!