One of the most difficult and interesting moments in vegan cooking is the replacement of dairy butter with vegan alternatives. The most popular vegan butter kind is peanut butter. Yes, we love peanut butter a lot! But eventually, we get tired of its taste and want to try something different. The good news is almost all nuts and seeds can be used for making vegan butter. In this article, we offer you a universal recipe that is suitable for all kinds of nuts and seeds. Try it, experiment with different ingredients and flavors and create your own delicious version!
Soaking Is Necessary!
The first thing you need to know about making vegan butter is soaking nuts is necessary! We recommend you to always soak nuts and seeds before using them for making vegan butter. This is justified by the fact that most nuts and seeds are covered with natural enzymes, toxins, and inhibitors that protect the plant while it grows. These enzymes are poorly absorbed and must be neutralized before use. The very simple soaking process releases these substances, helping you to easily absorb nutrients. In addition, the removal of toxins makes the finished vegan butter more delicious and fragrant.
Soaking time:
- Almonds: 8-12 hours
- Pecans: 4-6 hours
- Brazil nuts: 0 hours
- Cashews: 2 hours
- Cedar nuts: 8 hours
- Flax seeds: 8 hours
- Pistachios: 0 hours
- Hazelnuts: 8 hours
- Sesame seeds: 8 hours
- Macadamia nuts: 8 hours
- Sunflower seeds: 2 hours
- Peanuts: 8 hours
- Walnuts: 4 hours
After soaking, it is necessary to dry the nuts in a dehydrator or in the oven at a minimum temperature. If you like the taste of roasted nuts, you can fry them a little before cooking vegan butter (but it is not necessary).
Ingredients:
- 2-4 cups soaked and dried nuts;
- 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil;
- Fine salt;
- Sweetener, e.g. maple syrup or cane sugar (optional)
Instructions (this instruction is suitable for all types of nuts and seeds):
- 1/4 Cup nuts put to a blender.
- Blend the nuts into powder (from 2 to 10 minutes), then add a little coconut oil. Continue blending the nuts until the mass is smooth and creamy. From time to time, stop to scrape the mixture from the walls of the bowl.
- Continue processing. Gradually the mixture will start to secrete oil. Your mixture should become smooth and easy to move inside the bowl. If this does not happen, then add some more coconut oil.
- Keep blending until you get the desired, smooth consistency. This may take 15-20 minutes. It depends on the power and size of your food processor or blender, as well as the number of nuts. Be patient and you will succeed.
- If you want to add salt and sweetener, then do it at the end.
Note:
Do not add water to the mixture in any case! Otherwise, the finished product will lose its rich flavor and become too liquid. In addition, this paste is not able to be stored practically.
Spices and flavors
You can experiment and add fresh vanilla or vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cocoa powder, as well as any herbs and spices to your taste to create unique combinations of flavors for your butter.
Note:
Any spices and flavors are added at the end when the butter is completely ready. Mix your vegan butter with spices in hand or for 1 minute in the bowl of a food processor.
What can be used instead of nuts?
If for any reason you don’t want to use nuts, sunflower seeds will successfully replace them!
For the most vivid taste, lightly fry the seeds.
You can use the recipe above for sunflower seeds. The technology of preparation and the amount of ingredients do not change.
The Bottom Line
Using this recipe, you will be able to prepare vegan butter from almonds, walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, peanuts and so on. It’s a great option for vegan breakfast or vegan snacks! Try, experiment and delight yourself and your loved ones with exquisite tastes of homemade vegan butter.