This year I made the change from store bought peanut butter to homemade nut butter...and I am in love!! Homemade and natural nut butter tastes amazing and is a great healthy snack or breakfast addition PLUS you will feel so good because there are no hidden nasties.

You can enjoy nut butter on toast, apple slices, oats...and there are countless nut butter ideas and recipes including some of my favourites....Hazelnut Butter Overnight Oats, Chicken Satays, Salted Caramel Smoothie, Peanut Butter Protein Balls and Cauliflower Rice Stir Fry...and that's just a few!

But I can already hear you asking...'How do I make nut butter? Is it easy?'

It sure is!

Below is my super easy and tasty recipe - that is also gluten free and vegan - so you can make your own peanut butter, almond butter, hazelnut butter, cashew butter or any nut butter you like!

How to Make Nut Butter

Prepare for this recipe to take a little longer in the food processor then you think, it can take a while...but is so worth it! So when you see it blending in your food processor and think "there is no way that is turning to a creamy form..." just wait! 

Ingredients: 
500g of your choice of nuts (Almonds, Peanuts, Hazelnuts etc)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup pitted dates
2 tbsp coconut oil 

Directions: 

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees celsius. 
2. Place nuts onto a lined baking tray and roast in the oven for 20 minutes. This will bring out the natural oils of the nuts and make it easier to blend. 
3. Allow the nuts to completely cool before proceeding to the next step. 
4. Into a string food processor, add the nuts, coconut oil, dates, salt and cinnamon and begin to blend. Scraping down the sides occasionally to ensure its all mixing!
5. Blend until a smooth paste. Depending on your food processor, this could take around 20 minutes. I tested this recipe with a normal food processor and it took me 20 minutes of blending time and also with my thermomix and it took 10 minutes. You could also use your vitamix, blender or nutribullet.
6. Store in an airtight container and enjoy!

I LOVE hearing from you! So please let me know how you go in the comments below and definitely share your nut butter creations on Instagram through the tag @leahitsines and hashtag #leahitsines. I can't wait to see them!

Happy eating,

Leah x