Homemade Cashew Butter
This homemade Cashew Butter is super easy and simple to make and requires only 1 ingredient! You can customize your cashew butter by adding salt, your favorite sweetener, spices, and more. This is a multipurpose spread that I use in tons of different recipes!
☆☆☆☆☆ Irene commented: “It was so much fun to be able to make homemade cashew butter. It’s amazing how it comes together and the stages it goes through in the process. Super easy and so delicious. Store bought nut butters cannot compare.”
Store-Bought Cashew Butter Is Nowhere Near as Good as Homemade!
I know what you’re thinking: since you can readily buy cashew butter in grocery stores, does it actually make sense to make it yourself?
Yes! Here’s why:
- You get to control the ingredients: Making cashew butter yourself ensures that no preservatives or additives, extra salt, or oil sneak into your jar.
- It’s way tastier: The flavor of homemade cashew butter is so much fresher and creamier than the store-bought version.
- It’s more cost-effective: I prefer to buy cashews in bulk, and since you will be breaking up the cashews anyway while making nut butter, you can purchase cashew pieces at a much lower cost.
Use this cashew butter in sandwiches, sauces, grain bowls, smoothies, baked goods, and more. I just know you’re going to love this recipe as much as we do!
Raw vs Roasted Cashews: Which Is Better to Use?
Honestly, it all depends on personal preference! Raw unsalted cashews have a very earthy, bland flavor, while roasted cashews provide an additional flavor note.
I prefer buying raw cashews and roasting them myself before blending to make cashew butter. You can also purchase pre-roasted cashews from the store, just be sure to warm them before making the nut butter. Warm cashews are a lot easier to blend!
Chef Tip: To make raw cashews nuts more affordable, I buy them in bulk and keep them in the freezer. I keep about a quart in an airtight container in my cupboard and replace it from the freezer. I almost always buy cashew pieces since they are more affordable and will be blended anyway.
How to Make Cashew Butter at Home (Step-by-Step Photos)
Even though cashew butter is very easy to make from scratch, you have to trust the process because you won’t think the powdery nuts will ever transform into a smooth butter — until they finally do!
Hopefully these step-by-step photos can provide the confidence you need to make a batch of DIY cashew butter.
Step 1: Roast the Cashews
Place cashews on a baking sheet and roast in the oven at 350ºF for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cashews burn easily, so be sure to keep an eye on the nuts during the last couple of minutes.
Step 2: Pulse in a Food Processor
Chef Tip: A powerful food processor or high-power blender is essential if you plan on making your own nut butters! Since the cashew butter will need to be processed for at least 10 minutes, a weak food processor can easily get too hot and overheat.
Next, add the raw cashews to a powerful food processor and pulse. Scrape down the sides with a spatula as needed. Continue this process for 7-10 minutes.
The cashew butter will go through several phases…
First, expect the cashews to look like chopped nuts, then ground nuts.
After a while, they will start looking like dry clumps of ground nuts.
In due time, the nuts will begin to look like a paste , and, finally, they will turn into creamy cashew butter.
Trust the process and be patient! It takes a while before the nuts release the oil and turn into smooth cashew butter.
Prefer crunchy cashew butter? Set aside a 1/4 cup of the roasted cashews. Then, add the remaining cashews to the food processor and proceed with the recipe. When the cashew butter is creamy and smooth, chop up the set-aside cashews and add them to the finished product.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind …
- Don’t burn the cashews during the roasting process. Kitchen ovens can vary in temperature and some can even be temperamental, so be on the safe side and check the nuts along the way, especially the last few minutes.
- Make sure the nuts are fresh and not rancid. Check the packaging for best-before-date. Cashews can last for a few weeks in the cupboard, but will keep much longer in the fridge. If buying cashews in bulk store in freezer.
- Use a powerful food processor when making nut butters. I use a Breville 12 cup food processor. You can also make cashew nut butter in a high end blender such as a Vitamix.
- Make in large batches. A larger batch of nuts (3 cups +) will make it easier to process.
- Add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to make more spreadable. It will change the consistency to a smoother cashew spread, which is particularly needed when you want to drizzle over recipes.
Ways to Flavor It
- Make it salty: Add a pinch of sea salt to give the cashew butter a better flavor.
- Sweeten it This nut butter is naturally slightly sweet, but adding a drizzle of maple syrup, agave nectar, or sugar will make this nut spread even sweeter.
- Add vanilla: Add a touch of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for a sweeter treat.
- Spice it up: Get creative with adding flavors such as cardamom or cinnamon for a delicious twist.
- Make it chocolatey: Add a teaspoon of roasted carob powder for a different but delicious variation. Or add a touch of cocoa powder for a chocolate flavor if you prefer. In addition, you could add some chopped carob or chocolate chips for some extra crunch.
How to Use It
- Spread on fresh toast in the morning: It will add an extra boost of protein and give you extra energy for the day. We love the Silver Hills Sprouted Whole Grain bread but you can also make your own whole-grain bread.
- Make a dipping sauce: Substitute with cashew butter for the peanut butter in the sauce for our easy spring rolls recipe.
- Use in banana bread: Add some extra flavor and moisture to banana bread.
- Drizzle over overnight oats: Add homemade nut butter to overnight oats for some added protein.
- Use as a topping: It’s excellent on fluffy vegan pancakes, oat waffles, and vegan crepes.
- Enjoy as a dessert topping: Drizzle over your favorite ice cream for a unique and comforting experience.
- Mix into energy power balls: Use as an alternative to peanut or almond butter.
- Stir into cookie dough: Cashew nut butter will add a great taste and consistency to your favorite nut butter cookie recipe.
More Homemade Jams and Spreads
Cashew Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 16 oz. 1x
- Category: Sauces & Spreads
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This homemade cashew butter is super easy and simple to make and requires only 1 ingredient! You can customize your cashew butter by adding salt, your favorite sweetener, spices, and more. This is a multipurpose spread that I use in tons of different recipes!
Ingredients
- 3 cups raw whole cashews or cashew pieces
Optional Flavoring:
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place raw cashews on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and roast cashews in the oven for about 10-11 minutes. Stir occasionally, and be sure to keep an eye on the nuts for the last few minutes to make sure they do not burn. They should have a golden brown color.
- Add the roasted cashews to a high-powered food processor while they’re still warm. Pulse to start the blending process. Scrape the sides with a spatula to ensure all the nuts are processed.
- Continue this process until all the nuts are incorporated. Let blend on high for about 10 minutes or until the cashew butter reaches its creamy consistency.
Chef Tip: The cashew butter will go through several phases or stages. First, expect the cashews to look like chopped nuts, then ground nuts. After a while, they will start looking like dry clumps of ground nuts. In due time, the nuts will begin to look like a paste, and, finally, they will turn into creamy cashew butter. Trust the process! It takes a while before the nuts release the oil and turn into cashew butter.
Notes
To store: Since homemade cashew butter doesn’t contain any preservatives or additives, it will only last a few days on the counter and a few weeks in the fridge. Be that as it may, we generally eat this delicious nut butter well before it spoils. It is always a good idea to store cashew butter in a glass jar with a tight lid in the fridge. It will last much longer this way!
This looks lovely and I plan to try it soon! Thank you.
Thank you so much! Let me know how you like the recipe!
Who would have thought that cashew butter could be so delicious? I just made this recipe and I am so impressed. Thank you, Chef Ani.
Awwww… Thank you so much, Irene! I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe. It is one of my favorites!
Nydelig. Jeg har akkurat lagd den. Det gikk veldig fint etter din oppskrift. Jeg lagde den med bare nltter uten tilsetning av noe. Det smaker uteolig godt.
Awww… I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe. Cashew butter is delicious on toast, waffles, and pancakes! Thank you for trying my recipe! It really means a lot to me!
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the recipe. It is one of my favorites! Thank you for the 5-star review. It really helps me so much!
I just made it. It is soooo good. I love it. I will probably use this daily. I will swich from butter to this. Thank you verry much.
I am sooooooooo happy that you liked the recipe! Thank you for trying my recipe and for leaving me such a sweet comment!
Nydelig. I just tasted it.
Så bra, Edith. Tusen takk for few stjerner vurdering.
Thankyou for this recipe, I can’t wait to try it!
My son has a blood disorder called G6PD and can’t eat any legumes so peanut butter is out and we aren’t fans of almonds.
Thank you so much for your comment, Cathy! I hope you and your son enjoy this recipe. I actually prefer it to other nut butters as it is so naturally sweet and delicious!
I have made this many times now and it is a lifechanger. Thank you so much.
Awww… I am so happy that you are enjoying the recipe! Thank you so much for your kind comment and 5-star review.
It was so much fun to be able to make homemade cashew butter. It’s amazing how it comes together and the stages it goes through in the process. Super easy and so delicious. Store bought nut butters cannot compare. This is superbly delicious.
I agree, Irene! Once you have made homemade cashew butter, it is hard to go back to store bought. Thank you so much for trying my recipe and for your 5-star review!
Ani! I didn’t realize how easy it is to make cashew butter! This is definetly on my list to make this week as soon as I buy cashews! 🙌🙌🙌
Awww… Thank you so much for your kind comment, Lainey! Yes, it is super easy to make cashew butter and it tastes way better than store bought versions! It is an absolute favorite of mine!
Hi there. I can’t wait to try this. When do you add the other 3 ingredients?
Hi there! Great question. You can add the other three flavorings at the end and mix well to combine. That way the flavors stay fresh and evenly distributed throughout.
Can I use already roasted salted cashews? Thank you!
Great question! You can use already roasted salted cashews, but for the smoothest, creamiest texture, I recommend roasting them yourself and using them warm. Also, keep in mind that pre-salted cashews will make your cashew butter noticeably saltier, so you may want to adjust or skip any added salt.