How to Make Homemade Peanut Butter
Updated: Apr. 02, 2020Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
Learning how to make peanut butter at home has never been easier! It's way faster than a trip to the store.
We love peanut butter’s versatility. The creamy spread tastes delicious in a sandwich, paired with chocolate and even incorporated into savory dishes. And while it’s easy to pick up a jar of the good stuff at the store, it’s even easier to make peanut butter at home! All you need are three simple ingredients and a food processor.
What’s the deal with powdered peanut butter? Find out here.
Tips on Selecting Ingredients
First, be sure to choose unsalted peanuts. You’ll want to be able to control the exact amount of salt in your recipe, so look for unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts for grinding. You should also look for kosher salt and real honey!
Essential Tools for Making Peanut Butter
The most important tool when making peanut butter is a quality food processor. You want one that can stand up to grinding peanuts down to a paste. This extra-large Cuisinart food processor is a serious investment for homemade peanut butter lovers. It also won our Test Kitchen’s approval! If you’re not ready to splurge, look for a highly rated, more affordable option like this 10-cup Hamilton Beach food processor.
Next, you’ll need a high-quality spatula for scooping all the peanutty goodness out of the food processor. This variety pack of nonstick, dishwasher-safe spatulas is perfect no matter which size you need.
Finally, invest in clear glass jars to store and display all your hard work. Not only will these Ball jars look beautiful on your kitchen shelf, they’ll keep your homemade peanut butter fresh and creamy.
How to Make Peanut Butter
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted dry roasted peanuts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon honey
Step 1: Process peanuts
Start by placing the peanuts and salt in your food processor. Process for about 5 minutes—or until the desired consistency is reached—scraping down sides with a spatula as needed. If you prefer a super-smooth, creamy peanut butter, you’ll want to process for a little longer. If you like a chunky peanut butter, process a little less.
Step 2: Add honey
Add the honey and process just until blended.
Editor’s Tip: You don’t have to add the honey, but we strongly recommend it. It gives the peanut butter a creamier consistency and slightly sweet flavor. Plus, you’ll reap these amazing honey health benefits.
Step 3: Store and serve
Once your peanut butter is well-blended, transfer it from the food processor to an airtight container.
How long will the peanut butter last?
Fortunately, homemade peanut butter rarely expires because it simply won’t last that long. Just have one spoonful and you’ll see why! If you don’t end up devouring your entire jar immediately, homemade peanut butter can be kept in a cool, dark place (like the pantry) for about a month. Keep it in the refrigerator to help it last a bit longer.
Is it cheaper to make your own peanut butter?
Usually, yes! But that depends on the kind of peanut butter you buy. Homemade peanut butter relies on just a few natural ingredients. And that same quality costs a lot at the store, so you’ll come out ahead if you make your own. However, if you buy a generic brand when it’s on sale, that’s going to be cheaper.
What is the healthiest peanut butter?
Well, it’s hard to beat our recipe that calls for just three ingredients. But if you opt for the store-bought stuff, look for a jar with minimal ingredients, no added sugar and no artificial ingredients. We love this brand that you can buy on Amazon.
Each serving of natural peanut butter, about 1 tablespoon, has 111 calories, 9 grams of fat and 4 grams of protein.
Get more information on healthy nut butters here.
Peanut Butter Silk Pie
My youngest son wanted to have homemade pies placed around his wedding cake, and this was one of his requests. —Lee Steinmetz, Lansing, MichiganPeanut Butter 'N' Jelly Cake
I made this fun and flavorful peanut butter and jelly cake for my son's first birthday. He just turned 33, and he still has to have his favorite treat. Kids of any age have a hard time turning down peanut butter and jelly—especially when it comes tucked into cake and frosting! —Linda Graybill, Sebring, FloridaPeanut Butter Milk Shakes
You’ve got milk, peanut butter, and probably vanilla ice cream, too. Using just a few ingredients, you can whip up this peanut butter milkshake recipe in seconds. —Joyce Turley, Slaughters, Kentucky
Crunchy Peanut Butter Tarts
For a fun, fuss-free dessert, try these darling tarts. They’re a satisfying, rich family favorite. —Mary Kelley, Wilmington, North Carolina
Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast
I've always tried to make cooking fun—for myself, my daughters and my grandchildren. Cooking also teaches children the importance of following directions and being organized. This gourmet peanut butter and jelly recipe is easy to make and kids really like it. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
Chocolate Peanut Butter Grahams
Because so many people seem to love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, I came up with this no-bake cookie recipe.—Geraldine Sliwa, Elgin, Illinois
Peanut Butter Bundt Cake
This peanut butter Bundt cake with frosting is heavenly to me. I use smooth peanut butter, but crunchy would work, too. —Karen Holt, Rock Hill, South CarolinaPeanut Butter Logs
These peanut butter logs have definitely stood the test of time. My husband has been enjoying them since he was a toddler! —Micky Faginkrantz, Ft. Bliss, TexasChocolate Chip Elvis Pancakes
I'm one of 13 children, so making a recipe that everyone likes can be a challenge. This chocolate peanut butter pancakes recipe was a Saturday-morning special that we all loved. —Keenan McDermott, Springfield, Missouri
Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream
What could be better than peanut butter and jelly ice cream? You'll love the sweet-salty combination. Use your favorite flavor of jelly and switch to crunchy peanut butter if you like extra texture. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WisconsinPeanut Butter Fudge Cups
My husband often travels during the week, and this fast-to-fix microwave peanut butter fudge recipe is perfect for just my 2-year-old and me. —Lori Brow, Manhattan, Illinois.Peanut Butter S'Mores Sandwich
Your favorite s'more flavors come together in this tasty peanut butter sandwich—no campfire required. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies
These three-ingredient peanut butter coconut cookies are easy to make, so you'll always have time to make a quick batch. Bonus: No flour means they're also gluten-free! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Crispy Bars
To make a dairy-free dessert, I created chocolate peanutty bars. My kids and their friends gobble them up. I've written about it on my blog, joyfulscribblings.com. —Dawn Pasco, Overland Park, Kansas
Peanut Butter and Jelly Doughnuts
A classic jelly doughnut gets a fun twist with peanut butter glaze. No one will be able to resist these fluffy peanut butter and jelly doughnuts that take you back to your childhood. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WisconsinBuckeyes
These chocolate peanut butter balls (no bake!) are always popular at my church's annual Christmas fundraiser. They resemble chestnuts or buckeyes—hence the name. —Merry Kay Opitz, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Peanut Butter Cookie In A Mug
This peanut butter cookie in a mug is perfect for when you have a sweet tooth but don't want to make an entire batch of cookies. So quick and easy! — Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chocolate Ganache Peanut Butter Cupcakes
I've been baking cakes for years and enjoy trying new combinations of flavors and textures. For this peanut butter cupcake recipe, I blended peanut butter and chocolate. As soon as I took the first bite, I knew I had created something divine! —Ronda Schabes, Vicksburg, Michigan
Chippy Peanut Butter Cookies
"Hey, these are good!" is the surprised remark I hear when I bake these for the family. As simple as it may seem, all I do is follow directions. This works exceptionally well when it comes to making cookies. —Ian Badeer, Hickman, Nebraska
Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
This yummy breakfast bowl gives everyone's favorite sandwich a healthy twist. Switch to crunchy peanut butter and sprinkle chopped peanuts over the top if you like the extra crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Peanut Butter Spritz Fingers
My family loves this peanut butter fingers recipe because they satisfy the need for chocolate and for something crunchy, sweet and nutty, all in just one bite! —Irma Lowery, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle
This rich, tempting, peanut butter brownie trifle feeds a crowd and features the ever-popular combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Try this dessert for your next get-together. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
I like using pretty mini muffin liners and topping these homemade peanut butter cups with colored sprinkles to coordinate with the holiday we're celebrating. People can't believe how simple it is to make this irresistible candy with gooey peanut butter centers. This is how to make homemade peanut butter cups. —LaVonne Hegland, St. Michael, Minnesota
Peanut Butter Cream Pie
During the warm months, it's nice to have this fluffy, no-bake peanut butter pie that's a snap to make. Packed with flavor, this pie gets gobbled up even after a big meal! —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
Peanut Butter Pudding Dessert
Here's a fun layered dessert that will appeal to all ages. If you want it even nuttier, you can use chunky peanut butter, and if you're not a fan of cashews, substitute your favorite nut. This peanut butter lasagna is one of my favorite pudding desserts. —Barbara Schindler, Napoleon, Ohio
Soft Tried 'n' True Peanut Butter Cookies
When I want to offer friend and family soft and chewy peanut butter cookies, this is the recipe I turn to. Use either creamy or crunchy peanut butter with delicious results. These are the best soft peanut butter cookies, and my family can't get enough. —Emma Lee Granger, La Pine, Oregon
Giant Buckeye Cookie
I’m from Ohio, and we love our buckeye candy! Buckeyes are a delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate, which is exactly what this cookie is. All you need is a box of cake mix, a few common pantry ingredients, and voila—you have a tasty dessert ready for family and friends in under an hour. You can customize it, too, by substituting other mix-ins for the chocolate chips. We serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream. —Arianna Harding, Cincinnati, OhioHaystack Cookies with Peanut Butter
Peanut butter haystacks are one of my favorite desserts. I love to serve them to guests because they marvel at how something so simple tastes so good! —Starrlette Howard, Ogden, Utah
Peanut Butter Pancakes
Wondering how to make peanut butter pancakes? These morning treats are one of my husband's specialties. It's not unusual for him to wake me with those hot-from-the griddle cakes! —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, TexasChocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Soon after I learned about overnight oats, I decided to create a recipe with my favorite sugary combination: chocolate peanut butter. Overnight oats are a perfect breakfast for busy mornings. —Anna Bentley, Swanzey, New Hampshire
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie
My mother made a chewy, gooey peanut butter pie I loved as a child. Now I continue the tradition for the next generation of peanut butter lovers. —Brianna DeBlake, Fremont, Michigan
Peanut Butter Snowballs
This recipe for peanut butter ball cookies is a nice change from the typical milk chocolate and peanut butter combination. I once prepared them for a bake sale at my granddaughter's school, and I've also put them in gift boxes to share with neighbors at Christmas. —Wanda Regula, Birmingham, MichiganMiniature Peanut Butter Treats
This recipe is one of my family's favorites, and I make the treats a lot, especially at Christmas. I have three children and eight grandchildren, and every one of them loves those "peanut butter thingies," as the grandchildren call them! —Jodie McCoy, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls
Friends and family are always happy to receive these tasty peanut butter popcorn balls. I love making them as well as eating them! —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, PennsylvaniaPeanut Butter Oatmeal-Chip Cookies
These chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies are my husband's favorite, my classes' favorite, my colleagues' favorite and frankly my favorite, too. They're just plain yummy! This recipe also makes about 11 dozen...bake sale, here we come. —Dana Chew, Okemah, OklahomaPeanut Butter, Apple and Raisin Sandwich
Tart, sweet and crunchy, these open-faced sammies are a perfect after-school (or after-work) snack. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
These chewy peanut butter chocolate bars are the perfect no-fuss contribution to a potluck or bake sale. I've discovered the trick is to get them into the refrigerator to set up before they disappear! —Lorri Speer, Centralia, Washington
Bacon-Peanut Butter Cornbread Muffins
My family just can't get enough bacon and peanut butter, so I created these quick and easy cornbread muffins using ingredients I regularly keep stocked in my pantry and fridge. The streusel topping adds a delicious sweet-salty crunch! No peanut butter baking chips on hand? For a different flavor twist, swap in chocolate chips, then drizzle the warm muffins with chocolate syrup instead of caramel topping. —Shannon Kohn, Summerville, South Carolina
Peanut Butter Cereal Treats
Kids will love these colorful, crunchy bars. They’re a fun twist on the traditional marshmallow crispy treats…and because they’re so easy, older kids could whip up a batch on their own! —Christie Porter, Shipshewana, IndianaPeanut Butter Fudge
This peanut butter fudge is a favorite "never fail" quickie recipe. —Eleanore Peterson, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
Here's a different version of a traditional recipe. I love these soft peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. — Clarice Schweitzer, Sun City, Arizona
Peanut Butter Chocolate Dessert
The desserts of my dreams have both chocolate and peanut butter. So, when I came up with this rich chocolate peanut butter dessert, it quickly became my all-time favorite. It's a cinch to whip together because it doesn't require any baking. My family loves this chocolate peanut butter cup lasagna! —Debbie Price, LaRue, OhioPeanut Butter Pinwheels
These doubly delightful pinwheel cookies are very easy to prepare. They feature the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate in an attractive swirl. —Kandy Dick, Junction, Texas
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Guests will stand in line to kiss the cook when these treats are served!
For a change of pace, try them with chunky peanut butter, too. —Canada60, Tasteofhome.com Community
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
My twist on rice crispy bars includes crunchy crushed pretzels. Then I top them with a creamy peanut butter coating and rich chocolate topping. Garnished with peanuts and even more pretzels, I don’t think I'd ever go back to plain old bars again. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Peanut Butter Cake Bars
These cakelike bars are packed with peanut butter and chocolate chips, and they are perfect for any occasion. Kids and adults alike are in for a treat with these gems. —Charlotte Ennis, Lake Arthur, New MexicoPeanut Butter Caramel Bars
When my husband and our three sons sit down to dinner, they ask, "What's for dessert?" I have a happy group of guys when I report that these rich bars are on the menu. They're chockfull of yummy ingredients. —Lee Ann Karnowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Candy Snack Mix
Chock-full of raisins, peanuts and M& M's, this crunchy salty-sweet mix stays fresh for weeks. I keep it on hand to serve to unexpected guests or to fill decorative containers to give as last-minute gifts. —Mary Newsom, Grand Ridge, Florida
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mousse Cheesecake
This no-bake cheesecake with distinctive layers of chocolate, peanut butter mousse and a silky ganache on top will take some time to assemble, but it's worth the effort to create a homemade dessert with grand-champion appeal—and definitely worth the wait. —JaNon Furrer, Prescott, ArizonaCrunchy Peanut Butter Apple Dip
My mom got this peanut butter dip recipe from a neighbor years ago. She always made it for us kids in the fall when apples were in season. Now I make it for my children. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crisp Bars
Tell the kids to roll up their sleeves and help make these crunchy, chocolaty bars. They're easy and will surely satisfy anyone's sweet tooth. —Kathy Mitchell, Brookfield, WisconsinSweet & Salty Peanut Butter Cheesecake
After a co-worker shared a recipe for a great bar cookie, I made it into a cheesecake using my standard recipe and tweaking it a bit. It’s a wonderful combination of sweet and salty. —Joyce Schamberger, Amboy, Illinois
Giant Monster Cookies
Who can resist gigantic monster cookies chock-full of goodies like chocolate chips, M&M's and peanut butter? If your appetite isn't quite monster-size, make them by heaping tablespoonfuls. This is the world's best monster cookies recipe. —Judy Fredenberg, Missoula, Montana
Peanut Butter Brownie Bites
I used to make these brownie bites with a cherry in the center. Then I discovered that my granddaughter Lily is big on peanut butter, so I switched it up. Now she loves to help me make them. —Donna McGinnis, Taylor Ridge, Illinois
Giant Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwich
I created this giant peanut butter cookie cake for my husband, adding light and low-fat products to the cookie dough. It was so fantastic that I fixed it with conventional ingredients for guests. Since it can be made ahead of time and frozen, it cuts stress for busy hostesses. And really, who doesn't love peanut butter ice cream? —Joann Belack, Bradenton, Florida
