If you’re ready to take your nut butter game up a notch, this recipe is for you. Yes, you. The peanut butter freak, the almond butter connoisseur. I see you. I am you. This is a new horizon, my friend! One where things are smooth, creamy and easier to digest (I should know, since I ate A LOT of it making this recipe!).
You might be asking…
What exactly does activated mean?
Activating nuts and seeds means you soak them for a period of time in water, mimicking the germination process found in nature.
Most nuts and seeds contain anti-nutrients, a natural defense mechanism that protects the plant from predators and infection. While these anti-nutrients work great for the plant, they don’t work so well for our bodies. They block us from fully absorbing minerals. Activation reduces this blockage and makes a wide spectrum of nutrients found in the nut more bioavailable. (If you want to fully nerd out with me, you can read more about the health benefits of activated nuts and seeds here.)
One small handful of almonds contains:
- 3.5 grams of fiber
- 6 grams of protein
- 14 grams of healthy fat
- 48% of our recommended daily value (DV) of vitamin E
- 27% of our DV of manganese (source)
Besides tasting WAY better than store bought almond butter, this homemade version packs more bioavailable nutrients, which means you’re getting more bang for your buck. AND it’s spiced with cinnamon and vanilla powder, both of which offer numerous health benefits (did you know they both help curb sweet cravings and balance blood sugar?).
I eat this almond butter right off the spoon, in yogurt bowls with fresh berries, or with celery and raisins (yep, good ol’ frogs on a log!). It also works great in baked goods.
Before we get to the recipe, let’s answer some questions!
Common Questions
Do I need a dehydrator to make this recipe?
- No, you do not need a dehydrator. You can use an oven set on the lowest setting to dehydrate the nuts before roasting them. It helps to leave the oven door cracked, so the almonds don’t get too hot.
Can I skip the dehydration process and just roast the almonds after they’re done soaking?
- Dehydrating the nuts after soaking, and before roasting, is an essential step. It ensures the nuts retain their texture and flavor. Skipping the dehydration process will result in soggy or oily almonds when roasting- not what we want!
Can I make this almond butter without roasting the nuts?
- Technically, yes. But I wouldn’t recommend it. Roasting helps bring out the natural oils in the almonds and enhances their flavor. I have made it both ways and 100% prefer the roasted version.
My almonds are rubbery after dehydrating them. Is this normal?
- If your almonds are rubbery, they’re not fully dehydrated. The dehydration temperature may be too low, or the nuts may be overcrowded on the trays. Adjust your setup accordingly and continue dehydrating until your almonds have a nice “crispy” bite.
Can I sweeten my almond butter?
- Absolutely! Maple syrup and honey are great natural sweeteners for this almond butter. I recommend making sure your sweetener is at room temperature, and add it in at the very end. Otherwise it has a tendency to seize up in the food processor.
Can I skip the activation part and just make regular almond butter?
- You sure can. Just skip to step six in the recipe steps and take it from there!
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Homemade Activated Almond Butter Recipe
Equipment
- Glass mixing bowl
- Mesh strainer
- Kitchen towel or paper towel
- Dehydrator (or an oven set on the lowest temperature setting)
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper
- Food processor
Ingredients
- 3 cups raw almonds
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1.5 Tbsp sea salt (plus more for seasoning the almond butter)
- 1/4 cup coconut or avocado oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- a pinch of vanilla powder
Instructions
- Place the raw almonds and salt (1/2 tablespoon per cup of almonds) in a glass or ceramic mixing bowl and pour in the filtered water. Swirl the mixture around a few times to help the salt dissolve.
- Cover with a kitchen towel or paper towel and place in a cool, dry area on your counter. Soak for 12 hours.
- Drain and rinse your almonds. After soaking, the water may have a brown or chalky appearance- this is normal and comes from the tannins in the almond skins, and the salt. Discard the water and thoroughly rinse the almonds with fresh, cold water.
- If using a dehydrator, spread the almonds out on the trays in a single layer, making sure not to crowd them. Set the dehydrator temperature to 130 °F for 12 hours, or until crispy.
- If you're using an oven to dehydrate the nuts, spread them out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in an oven set to the lowest temperature setting (use the "warm" setting if necessary). To prevent the almonds from getting too hot, leave the oven door cracked slightly. Dehydrating in the oven will take less time, because the temperature is usually higher.
- Check on the almonds periodically during the dehydration process. You'll know the almonds are done dehydrating when they have a "crispy" bite and are no longer soggy in the center. If your almonds are rubbery, they're not done dehydrating. Your dehydration temperature may be too low, or the nuts may be overcrowded on the trays. Keep dehydrating them until they have that "crispy" bite!
- Now it's time to roast the almonds. Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Put the almonds on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper and toast for 10 minutes. Stir the almonds halfway through.
- Let the almonds cool down before putting them in your food processor. I recommend waiting until they're room temperature, but you can also blend them when they're still slightly warm.
- Blend the almonds until they are thick and creamy. This will take some time- 10-15 minutes or more. Scrape down the sides every couple minutes and keep going! Add the coconut or avocado oil 1-2 tablespoons at a time, as needed, to help the nuts process smoothly.
- When your almonds have processed down to a thick, creamy paste, add salt, cinnamon and vanilla powder (if using) to taste. Blend the mixture once more to evenly season.
- Let the almond butter cool down to room temperature. Store it in an airtight glass jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. If you notice any signs of spoilage, dispose of immediately.
Notes
- When your almonds are done soaking, you can actually eat them (before you dehydrate them)! This is when they’re in their most digestible form. You can also dehydrate and store them for snacking (if you don’t want to make them into almond butter). Both forms of the almonds are activated. The only difference is the dehydrated ones are shelf stable, while the soaked ones you would need to refrigerate to prevent bacteria growth (I would recommend eating them within 24 hours).
- The measurements for the cinnamon and vanilla powder are approximate. Season to taste by adding more or less, or omit the spices altogether. I do highly recommend using the spices, as they really enhance the flavor of the almond butter and provide added health benefits.
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