How To Make Granola Butter (Oatmeal Butter)

5 from 16 votes
Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This granola butter is the perfect combination of nut butter, granola, and oatmeal in one: a delicious gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free, oatmeal butter ready for dipping and spreading!

A jar with granola butter

In the last few years, I’ve shared all my favorite nut and seed butter recipes, including all-natural peanut butter, almond butter, pumpkin seed butter, and most recently, an omega 5-seed spread. But did you know that you could make granola butter (also called oatmeal butter/oat butter) using a combination of nuts and oats?

With a simple combination of several spices, walnuts, oats, and maple syrup – this granola butter not only tastes a little like an oatmeal cookie in spreadable form, but it’s also packed with nutrients and vitamins and the perfect nut butter alternative for any meal.

Spoonful of oat butter

The addition of oats into the walnut butter spread adds not only a nutty, cookie-like flavor but also tons of fiber and staying power to keep you fuller for longer. Meanwhile, walnuts are packed with antioxidants, omega-3s, and several vitamins and minerals – including being beneficial to gut health. Even better, they blend down into a super smooth, creamy, rich walnut butter – which, when combined with the oats and spices, tastes just like an oatmeal cookie, bowl of oatmeal, or simple granola.

Best of all, this granola butter recipe is super simple – it just requires a little patience. Though your high-speed blender is going to do all the work – it still takes a little time to break everything down into the smooth, creamy oatmeal butter that you want.

Want to save this recipe?

Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from me every week!

The Granola Butter Ingredients

Ingredients for granola butter (aka oatmeal butter or oat butter)
  • Walnuts: it’s best to buy ones out of their shell, so you don’t have to spend 10 minutes (or longer) to first de-shell them before starting the recipe. You could alternatively try this recipe with pecans, but I prefer walnuts.
  • Maple syrup: or agave syrup. For a sugar-free alternative, you can use a sugar-free liquid sweetener or something like monk fruit sweetener. Don’t use granulated sugar, though, as it won’t break down properly and can leave the oatmeal butter grainy; unless you use powdered sugar.
  • Rolled oats: use rolled oats (not instant or steel-cut) for the best results.
  • Spices: I used a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and vanilla powder (not extract!) to provide the oatmeal/cookie/granola flavor. A pinch of salt helps to enhance all the flavors too.
  • Coconut oil: Coconut oil is optional but can help thin the oat butter texture for a super smooth, pourable consistency. It won’t make the oatmeal butter taste like coconut, either. You could, alternatively, use avocado oil or olive oil.

Optional add-ins

  • Shredded coconut/coconut flakes: adding even just up to ¼ cup of toasted shredded coconut further enhances the granola/cookie flavor. I’ve left this optional, though, as I know there are plenty of coconut haters, too. These will only need baking for 5 minutes maximum or toasted in a skillet for several minutes.
  • Cocoa powder: for a chocolate version, you can add some cocoa powder, though you may need a little additional coconut oil to make up for the extra dry ingredient.
  • Seeds: for a nutrient boost, you could add in a few tablespoons of chia or flaxseed.
  • Superfood powders: for additional nutrients and flavor, you can experiment with the addition of various superfood powders to the oat butter. Lucuma, for instance, has a butterscotch-like subtle flavor and is packed with antioxidants and vitamins.

How to Make Granola Butter

Step 1: Toast the nuts and oats

This step enhances the flavor of the ingredients and helps the nuts start releasing their oils for faster blending.

Spread the rolled oats and walnuts on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes at 320ºF/160ºC, turning/stirring halfway.

Steps for baking oats and walnuts for oat butter

Step 2: Blend the Granola Butter

Add all the ingredients except the maple to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend into a smooth, creamy mixture.

Steps for blending oatmeal butter

This will take somewhere between 10-15 minutes, so have patience. Give your machine a break every few minutes to avoid overheating and stop to scrape down the sides of the jug as needed.

Once the oatmeal walnut butter reaches your desired texture, add the maple syrup and give it a quick stir to incorporate. Alternately, you can sweeten the butter when serving.

Transfer the oatmeal butter to a clean jar.

Pouring granola butter in a jar

How to Use it?

Granola butter (aka oatmeal walnut butter) is the perfect addition to breakfast but can be enjoyed any time of the day.

granola butter in a jar

How to Store

  • Room temp: store the granola butter for between 1-2 weeks in a cool, dark cupboard.
  • Fridge: store in the refrigerator for up to one month. It will solidify somewhat in the fridge because of the fats from the nuts and the (optional) coconut oil. However, you can bring it back to room temperature or microwave it for just a few seconds to runny consistency again.
  • Freezer: I haven’t tried freezing this oat butter (yet). However, like most nut butter – it should be possible. You can freeze it in any freezer-safe container with a bit of headspace or in individual portions in an ice-cube tray. Once frozen, store the granola butter for between 4-5 months.

Recipe Notes

  • Removing the walnut skins: you could optionally blanch/peel the walnuts before the baking step. There is a slight bitterness in the skins, so this step can eliminate that.
  • The granola butter texture: you can blend the oatmeal butter into your desired consistency. I’ve made mine very smooth. However, blend for slightly less time for a chunkier consistency.
  • Adding sugar: no matter what type of sugar you add to the oat butter (I use maple syrup), if you add it directly into the blender/food processor, it tends to seize. I’ve found there are two ways to get around this. First, you can fold the maple syrup into the butter after it has blended. Alternatively, you can toss the walnuts with the maple before roasting them on a silicone tray (if possible) and roast for slightly longer (15-20 minutes) into a ‘candied walnut’ consistency. Allow them to cool for several minutes outside of the oven. Then transfer the nuts and sugar baked onto the silicone into the machine to process.

If you try this granola butter recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts/questions below. Also, I’d really appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!

How to Make Granola Butter (Oatmeal Butter)

5 from 16 votes
By: Samira
This granola butter is the perfect combination of nut butter and granola in one; a delicious gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free, oatmeal butter ready for dipping and spreading!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 16 Tablespoons

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 cup rolled oats use gluten-free certified if necessary
  • 1 cup walnuts or pecans
  • 3 Tbsp maple syrup
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon powder
  • ¼ tsp ground cardamom powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp vanilla powder NOT extract
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg powder optional
  • 1-2 Tbsp melted coconut oil optional, to thin the texture – or avocado/olive oil

Instructions 

Step 1: Toast the nuts and oats

  • This step enhances the flavor of the ingredients and helps the nuts start releasing their oils for faster blending.
  • Spread the rolled oats and walnuts on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes at 320ºF/160ºC, turning/stirring halfway.

Step 2: Blend the Granola Butter

  • Add all the ingredients except the maple to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend into a smooth, creamy mixture.
  • This will take somewhere between 10-15 minutes, so have patience. Give your machine a break every few minutes to avoid overheating and stop to scrape down the sides of the jug as needed.
  • Once the oatmeal walnut butter reaches your desired texture, transfer to a clean jar.

How to Store

  • Room temp: Store the granola butter for between 1-2 weeks in a cool, dark cupboard.
    Fridge: Store in the refrigerator for up to one month. It will solidify somewhat in the fridge because of the fats from the nuts and the (optional) coconut oil. However, you can bring it back to room temperature or microwave it for just a few seconds to runny consistency again.
    Freezer: I haven't tried freezing this oat butter (yet). However, like most nut butter – it should be possible. You can freeze it in any freezer-safe container with a bit of headspace or in individual portions in an ice-cube tray. Once frozen, store the granola butter for between 4-5 months.

Video

Notes

  • Removing the walnut skins: You could optionally blanch/peel the walnuts before the baking step. There is a slight bitterness in the skins, so this step can eliminate that.
  • The granola butter texture: You can blend the oatmeal butter into your desired consistency. I’ve made mine very smooth. However, blend for slightly less time for a chunkier consistency.
  • Adding sugar: No matter what type of sugar you add to the oat butter (I use maple syrup), if you add it directly into the blender/food processor, it tends to seize. I’ve found there are two ways to get around this. First, you can fold the maple syrup into the butter after it has blended. Alternatively, you can toss the walnuts with the maple before roasting them on a silicone tray (if possible) and roast for slightly longer (15-20 minutes) into a ‘candied walnut’ consistency. Allow them to cool for several minutes outside of the oven. Then transfer the nuts and sugar baked onto the silicone into the machine to process.

Optional Ingredients:
  • Shredded coconut/coconut flakes: Adding even just up to ¼ cup of toasted shredded coconut further enhances the granola/cookie flavor. I’ve left this optional, though, as I know there are plenty of coconut haters, too. These will only need baking for 5 minutes maximum or toasted in a skillet for several minutes.
  • Cocoa powder: Fr a chocolate version, you can add some cocoa powder, though you may need a little additional coconut oil to make up for the extra dry ingredient.
  • Seeds: For a nutrient boost, you could add in a few tablespoons of chia or flaxseed.
  • Superfood powders: For additional nutrients and flavor, you can experiment with the addition of various superfood powders to the oat butter. Lucuma, for instance, has a butterscotch-like subtle flavor and is packed with antioxidants and vitamins.
 
Course: Dessert, Side, Snack
Cuisine: American
Freezer friendly: 4-5 Months
Shelf life: 1 Month

Nutrition

Serving: 1Tbsp, Calories: 104kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 37mg, Potassium: 78mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 2IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 17mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




12 Comments

  1. Do you have any suggestions for making this nut-free? I was thinking of swapping the walnuts for tahini but am not sure of the amounts.

    1. Hi Jessica,
      If you have ready-made tahini, sunflower seed butter, pumpkin butter, or hemp seed butter, you can use about 1/3 cup of that (instead of the walnuts) and add it to the rest of the ingredients. I hope you give it a try.

  2. 5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe! It is so good and so much more economical than the *store bought* brand! Love your recipes and the time and effort you invest in making videos. Thank you for sharing your talent and expertise!

    1. Thank you so much for your comment, Melinda! Much appreciated. Glad you are enjoying the recipe 🙂

  3. Can I make this nut-free? How much more oats would I need to use in their place? I need to have a nut alternative for my child’s school lunches. Thanks!

    1. Hi CC,
      You could use sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead of the nuts (use about 3/4 cup). Alternatively, add 1 more cup of oats.
      If you have ready-made sunflower seed butter, pumpkin butter, hemp seed butter, or tahini, you can use about 1/3 cup of that and add it to the rest of the ingredients. Also, check this Omega seed butter recipe for more inspiration – https://www.alphafoodie.com/super-omega-seed-butter/

    1. Hi Lesley,
      Vanilla extract, since it’s liquid, might cause the granola butter to seize. That’s why vanilla powder is recommended. I hope this helps.

      1. Thanks for the response. I am going to try it using pecans. Hopefully since they make a thinner butter it will work. I’ll let you know.

  4. I love these flavors together! What a brilliant idea to get great flavor, fiber and nutrients from both the oats and walnuts!
    In my first attempt I didn’t add all of the oats and it has a great texture and flavor. I’ll try my next batch with the full amount of oats to notice if there is a difference.
    I didn’t read your note about adding the sugar later, so my maple syrup went in while the blender was running. I didn’t notice any seizing since the oats were still warm from toasting.
    Thanks for the recipe! Will be using again soon!