Make your own nut butter

Almond butter and peanut butter

Peanut butter and other nut butters are a great food for runners. Making your own nut butters is very easy and cost efficient.  All that you need is your nuts and a food processor.

Sports nutrition - nut butter

Start by finding a local nut store. Two great ones are Edwards Freeman in Conshohocken and the Head Nut in Ardmore.

Peanuts are the cheapest of the nuts, and salted are commonly preferred for peanut butter.  Almonds, pecans and walnuts are more expensive, but less expensive than purchasing butters from the grocery store.  Nuts are normally sold by the pound. Pick up several pounds of your favorite type of nuts and get ready to make your own!

pecan-peanut butter

In the food processor, dump in your nuts, and process away! Peanuts, almonds, and walnuts will be somewhat chunky and thick.  Pecans will usually be more creamy.  To make creamy peanut and almond butter, wipe down the side of the bowl and plan to process for about 10-15 minutes. It WILL become creamy! For crunchy nut butters, add in your nuts after you have your consistency, and only grind a little bit.   You can add in healthy ground flaxseed, or any other healthy ground seeds of your preference.  You can also mix different nuts. Pecans will add more sweetness and a creamy aspect to peanut and almond butter. 

pecan butter

Scrape

the sides of the processor along the way, and store your nut butter in the refrigerator.  Enjoy!