Nut Butters: A Healthy Snack Alternative

Enjoy the creamy flavor of nuts without the sugar and commercial preservatives

For a change of pace and an easy way to vary the snacks in your diet, try nut butters. Nut butters are easy to make—the only appliance you need is a blender.

Everybody likes peanut butter, but most of the brands available in grocery stores are loaded with sugar and preservatives. With just a couple of tips and two or three minutes, you can not only make your own peanut butter, but butters from a variety of nuts and seeds.

How to Make Nut Butter

• Grind the nuts or seeds of your choice in the blender until they are powdery.
• Slowly, add a small portion of peanut or other oil until you reach the consistency you like. If you want a chunky butter, throw in a few whole nuts once you have the flavor and consistency they way you like. Blend until they are lightly chopped.
• If you like, add a little salt and a small amount of honey to improve the flavor.

Practically any nut makes a good butter—cashews, pecans, walnuts, or almonds—as well as many seeds, such as sunflower and sesame seeds. Just remember that if you use peanuts, be sure to roast them first.

Once you've made your nut butter, always store it in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Nut butters taste great on toast, muffins, or whole wheat biscuits—but don't forget to try them spread on apples or celery as an afternoon or late-night healthy snack, too!

See more substitutions and cooking tips or browse all recipes.