Last Updated on 12/01/2024 by Adina
Learn how to roast peanuts for peanut butter. This is an easy and reliable method for the best-roasted peanuts to make creamy or chunky peanut butter.
Peanut butter is a beautiful thing. So, why not learn how to roast peanuts for peanut butter at home? It is much better, cheaper, and healthier than any jar you could buy.
Buying raw peanuts is cheaper, and roasting them in the oven only takes about 15 minutes. Making peanut butter with roasted peanuts is also easy; the food processor does this job. You must scrape its walls a few times in between and transfer that fantastic peanut butter to jars.
Use it to make Muesli Biscuits or Chocolate Peanut Butter Spread, for instance. Check out this post to learn how to make Homemade Pumpkin Seed Butter (or Pepita Butter).
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Recipe ingredients
Raw peanuts without shells
A bit of fine sea salt or Kosher salt
How to roast raw shelled peanuts for peanut butter?
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/ 180°C.
- Place the shelled peanuts in a single layer on a lined baking sheet.
- Roast for 10 to 15 minutes until golden, and toss them around twice during this time.
Tips for roasting peanuts
If you want to roast a large batch, it's better to use two baking trays than try to fit everything onto one.
Keep an eye on them always. Every oven is different, and you want the peanuts to be just golden and not brown. If they get too dark, they will turn slightly bitter, and you don't want that.
The roasted peanuts should be slightly underdone as they will continue to roast slightly once removed from the oven while they cool down.
Use some of the roasted peanuts to make this delicious Peanut Soup with Whole Peanuts.
How to make chunky or creamy peanut butter?
The only requirement is using a really good, powerful food processor. I use the powerful Thermomix, which needs about 4-5 to make the creamiest peanut butter.
Chunky peanut butter
- Start by processing a good handful of roasted peanuts, but only roughly. Remove them from the food processor and set them aside. You will add them later to the finished creamy peanut butter.
Creamy peanut butter
- Place as many peanuts in the food processor as your machine can handle (See Expert Tips).
- Add some salt, if desired. I always add a good pinch.
- Process until smooth and creamy, scraping down the walls of the machine a few times in between. My Thermomix gets quite hot during this time; it’s normal, and my machine can handle it.
How long does the food processor need to make peanut butter?
- The processing time depends entirely on the food processor. I need about 4-5 minutes, but a less powerful machine might need more time.
- If you feel that the food processor is getting too hot before the peanut butter is ready, stop the machine and let it cool down slightly before you continue.
- The oils in the peanuts will be released eventually, and the butter will be smooth and creamy.
Good to know!
You can also make peanut butter with bought roasted, salted, or unsalted peanuts. Making peanut butter with roasted salted peanuts from a can or bag works, and I do it often enough when I need the peanut butter immediately.
However, I prefer to roast the peanuts myself because they contain less salt and oil.
I use a Thermomix, and my experience is that this particular food processor prefers a larger amount of peanuts to make things well. If there are not enough peanuts in it, all I do is scrape the walls of the machine over and over again. However, a larger quantity is much more easily handled.
Recipe FAQs
They start to smell sour; if you dare taste them, they will also taste bitter and sour. They will also change their color to greyish and probably begin to shrivel a bit.
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature; they will last for up to 2 months.
When refrigerated, they will last for about 4-5 months.
Frozen, you can keep them for up to 1 year.
Once ready, place the peanut butter into jars, let it cool down, and set.
Refrigerate it for up to 3 months.
However, if it starts smelling rancid or has any signs of mold, discard it!
You can also freeze peanut butter; I do that all the time. Defrost in the fridge.
How to Roast Peanuts for Peanut Butter
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Strong food processor for making peanut butter Notes 1,2
Ingredients
- 1 lb shelled peanuts 450 g
- fine sea salt or Kosher salt
Instructions
How to roast peanuts:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/ 180°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the peanuts on the tray in a single layer. If not all of them fit on the tray, roast them in two batches.1 lb shelled peanuts / 450 g
- Roast for 10 to 15 minutes until golden, stirring at least twice in between. Keep a close eye on them; they should not get too dark but should be slightly underdone as they continue to cook after removing them from the oven.
- Cool: When golden, immediately remove from the baking sheet. Let them cool in a large bowl or on another cool tray or baking dish. Let them get completely cool before using them to make peanut butter.
How to make peanut butter
- Chunky peanut butter: Roughly process a good handful of roasted peanuts, then remove them from the food processor. Add the chopped peanuts to the creamy peanut butter.
- Creamy peanut butter: Place as many peanuts in the food processor as it can handle. Add a good pinch of salt. Process until smooth and creamy, scraping down the walls of the machine a few times in between (Notes 1,2).fine sea salt
- If you want to make chunky peanut butter, now is the time to stir the chopped peanuts into the butter.
- Transfer the peanut butter into clean jars and refrigerate or freeze once it is cooled down.
Notes
- I use a Thermomix, which is a potent food processor. This machine needs 4-5 minutes for the job. However, the processing time will vary from one food processor to another.
- The machine gets quite hot during this time; it is normal, and my machine can handle it. If your food processor gets too hot, stop it and let it cool down slightly before continuing.
Janelle says
The recipe for roasting lists salt in the ingredients, but isn't mentioned in the procedure. Do I salt the peanuts before or after roasting them?
Adina says
Creamy peanut butter: Place as many peanuts in the food processor as it can handle. Add a good pinch of salt. Process until smooth and creamy, scraping down the walls of the machine a few times in between (Notes 1,2).
Jasson says
Better that shop bought 👍👌👏. Thank you for your effort 🌞😎
Dziumdzia says
What happens to she shells? At which point do shells get removed?
Thank you!
Adina says
Hi. The peanuts are shelled, if they still have the shell on, please remove it before roasting.
Wanda Jones says
I was so, amazed about how easy at is too make peanut butter. I have not purchased any form the store since I started making my own... It's very empowering?
Adina says
It is, isn't it? I felt the same the first time I've made it. It tastes so great and it's so much cheaper and healthier.
Priya says
Ohhhh one pf my biggest misconception was peanut butter also requires plain butter to blend peanut properly... I need to try this ASAP
Adina says
No real butter, just peanuts blend until they release their own butter, so to say. And a little bit of salt if you like. It's amazing!
Adina says
My stomach still turns at the memory of that peanut butter, I can still remember the taste. It cannot be compared to the real stuff.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Haha, I can see how someone's first experience with peanut butter could be less than positive! 🙂
I vastly prefer unsweetened peanut butter, it's the only one I'll buy. I've made homemade peanut butter a few times but it's been a while. It's so quick and simple to make, I don't know why I don't make it more often. Thanks for the reminder!