A delicious and nutritious, super easy, one ingredient homemade walnut butter recipe. Plus, lots of flavoured walnut butter suggestions and uses!
Out of all the nuts that I’ve made nut butter recipes from, I think walnuts are the most luxurious of all. Walnuts conjure up images of nutcrackers and Christmas treats, of walnut chocolate bars and liqueur chocolates. This homemade walnut butter recipe is not only super delicious, but it is also very nutritious.
I’ve also included a whole list of flavoured walnut butter recipe options for you below as well as walnut butter recipes & uses. This includes using it as an edible Christmas gift.
Christmas is just around the corner. I can’t even believe I’m saying that – but this year has flown by. But anyway, Christmas is just around the corner and I think that it’s the perfect time to post this homemade walnut butter recipe.
Not only is this nut butter delicious anyway, but it is also extremely customisable – making it an excellent option for an edible Christmas gift. Give it a pretty ribbon and label on the jar and voila, a wonderful gift. And its cheaper than store bought versions.
It can also be used to whip up some pretty delicious Christmas treats, if I do say so myself! I’ll be including a list of suggested walnut butter recipes/ uses below so give that a look-see.
If you’re not 100% sold on the idea of walnut butter, know that they are one of the most nutritious nuts. There has been a LOT of research to back this information up. Here are some of the many health benefits of walnuts.
Health Benefits of Walnuts
Like all nuts, Walnuts are a brilliant source of good fats – including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. However, they are also an excellent Vegetarian source of Omega-3 as well as containing iron, calcium, zinc, selenium, Vitamin E and even some B vitamins.
- Walnuts are more abundant in antioxidants than most nuts. Fighting free radicals and oxidative damage to the body. They also reduce harmful LDL cholesterol and contain anti-inflammatory polyphenols.
This can decrease the risk of many inflammatory chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes etc. It is also great for brain health - The Omega-3 within walnuts can help reduce the risk of heart disease as well as beneficial for many mood disorders. Walnuts are a great plant-based source of omega-3
- Walnuts can improve your gut health – which in turn can influence your overall health and many gut and digestive issues.
Now, for the homemade walnut butter recipe, flavoured walnut butter combinations and walnut butter recipes/ uses …
How to make homemade walnut butter
This homemade walnut butter recipe follows the same method as pretty much all nut butter recipes. First, you need to spread your raw walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast the walnuts in the oven at 165ºC (fan assisted) for 10 minutes. Then leave them to cool to room temperature.
Pour the walnuts into your food processor or blender of choice and blend till smooth. To avoid overheating the machine ( and nuts), do this in intervals of around 2-3 minutes. Then pause to scrape down the sides of the blender/processor. To get a deliciously smooth homemade walnut butter, blend for approximately 15 minutes.
I suggest using a high-speed blender if possible. Otherwise, the process can take quite a bit longer. However, if you do have a relatively mid-level powered food processor/blender, don’t fret! Give the nuts longer time to blend, giving the machine a break every couple of minutes.
Once the homemade walnut butter is ready, transfer it to an airtight glass container and keep this in the fridge for 1-2 months. It can also be frozen, for longer.
Some Flavoured walnut butter combinations you could try include
Walnut butter is deliciously creamy, buttery and nutty. However, it’s also a fantastic nut butter to customise as the flavour is relatively complementary to many spices and accompaniments.
As always I must point out: Whenever I make large batches of any nut/seed butter, I avoid extra ingredients, as they affect the shelf-life. If I want to flavour my nut or seed butter recipes, then I only flavour a small portion of it, so none goes to waste. For some flavoured walnut seed butter inspiration:
- A simple, sweet modification would be to add some homemade Vanilla extract or Vanilla Powder.
- Some Cinnamon works well in pretty much every nut and seed butter. Yum! ( usually combined with a natural sweetener of choice)
- For a simple, sweet version add your favourite natural syrup of choice. I love using maple syrup (AND cinnamon) for a thanksgiving style walnut spread.
- For a fall-inspired walnut butter, why not try adding some pumpkin spice to your mix.
- Alternatively, what about some gingerbread spice?! This will make for a delicious edible Christmas gift as part of a DIY Christmas hamper.
- Everything is better when chocolate is involved, so feel free to add some cocoa powder!
- Add some espresso with your cocoa powder for a delicious Mocha walnut butter
- Desiccated coconut can be poured into the blender for an incorporated coconut flavour or stirred in afterwards for texture.
Walnut butter recipes & suggested uses
Not forgetting the obvious uses for walnut butter – as a spread on toast, bagels and fruit. Walnut butter can be used in many many ways.
Homemade walnut butter can be used in lots of baked goods (bonus points in you’re making Christmas goodies!). These include brownies, cakes, cookies, etc. You can also use this walnut butter to incorporate into delicious frosting and cake/tart fillings.
For savoury uses, walnut butter can be used as an ingredient for dressings, drizzles and sauces. I even sometimes stir a bit into savoury pasta sauces, etc. just for a bit of extra protein without too much of the flavour. Also, I haven’t tried it yet, personally, but I imagine this would work well as part of a vegan pesto recipe!
For some sweet treats, why not try using this homemade walnut butter as a drizzle over your morning bowl of oatmeal, pancakes or waffles. Or possibly stirred into your smoothie or chia pudding recipe?
It can also be used as a replacement seed butter in recipes calling for other nut/seed butters. These recipes include raw protein bars, energy balls, cookies, cake, brownies, bars etc.
I like to mix my walnut butter with some maple syrup and cinnamon when using it as a drizzle – just FYI. It’s GORGEOUS!
Also, why not use it to make some walnut butter versions of these homemade Vegan peanut butter cups.
Have any other suggestions for how you’d use this walnut butter? Let me know in the comments below!
As always, if you give this recipe a go then let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Also, feel free to tag me in your recreations @AlphaFoodie.
Homemade Walnut Butter Recipe
Suggested Equipment
- Food Processor
Instructions
- This homemade walnut butter recipe follows the same method as pretty much all nut butter recipes. First, you need to spread your walnuts onto a baking tray and roast them in the oven at 165ºC (fan assisted) for 10 minutes. Then leave them to cool to room temperature.
- Pour the walnuts into your food processor or blender of choice and blend till smooth. To avoid overheating the machine ( and nuts), do this in intervals of around 2-3 minutes and then pause to scrape down the sides of the blender/processor. To get a deliciously smooth homemade walnut butter, blend for around 15 minutes.
- Once the homemade walnut butter is ready, transfer it to an airtight glass container and keep this in the fridge for 1-2 months. It can also be frozen, for longer.
Video
Notes
- If you want to add salt to the recipe, simply wait until the walnut butter is the right consistency, add in the salt and then quickly blitz to thoroughly combine.
- To see my various suggestions on how you can flavour this homemade walnut butter - check my blog post. I also include a list of ways to use the walnut butter!
Nutrition
Ralse
How do you get that dreaded skin off? It tastes super bitter and it spoils the fantastic taste of walnuts. When I get them fresh, it’s easy to peel off the skin by hand but it takes a long time. Once they are dry, it’s near impossible
Support @ Alphafoodie
Hi,
Once toasted, you can scrunch the walnuts into a towel and that should allow the skin to come off. Alternatively, it’s possible to remove the skin before their are toasted – you need to pour boiling water over them, let them soak for 1-2 minutes and then the skin should be easy to peel.
I hope this helps.
Beti
Can I use Thermomix instead of..?
Support @ Alphafoodie
Hi Beti,
You can use any appliance that can blend – just make sure to give it a break from time to time while blending the nuts to avoid overheating. It might take about 15 minutes to achieve the consistency you like. I hope this helps.
Ronnie Talbert
What is 160 C in Farenhiet ?
AlphaFoodie
It’s 320 Fahrenheit.
Ronnie Talbert
I just saw your response to my question. Thanks a bunch.
Maybe I could ask another question. I am using a nut grinder to do this. One is a Hamilton Grinder and a second one is a fine seed grinder. I start with the nut grinder and then the seed grinder. Are these the same as food processor as your instructions tell of?
Thanks Again Ronnie T
Samira
Hi Ronnie,
Food processors are usually bigger than grinders but work the same way for making nut butters (I would think they might be even better but might be tricky to clean them). I am glad you’ve found a way that works for you. Homemade butters are so much better, aren’t they 🙂
May
Hi Samira
What blender you using ?
Thank you
May
Support @ Alphafoodie
Hi May,
The food processor is from NutraMilk. The model is linked on the Shop page of the blog. I hope this helps.