Welcome, nut butter enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into the world of homemade hazelnut butter, where the focus is on the delightful experience of crafting your spread at home. Making your own nut butters is not only a rewarding culinary experience, but it can also be a budget-friendly option compared to store-bought alternatives!

Health Benefits Of Hazelnut Butter

Before we delve into the kitchen, let's explore the health benefits of hazelnuts. These little powerhouses are packed with healthy fats, fiber, and essential nutrients. Below is a nutrient profile for all-natural hazelnut butter but if you want to deep-dive into the benefits of hazelnuts we advise you to check out this blog where we cover it in extensive detail.

Hazelnut butter not only delights the taste buds but also packs a nutritional punch, offering a range of essential nutrients that contribute to overall well-being. Here's a snapshot of the nutrient profile per two tablespoons (32 grams) of hazelnut butter:

• Calories: Approximately 200 calories, providing a satisfying energy boost for your day.
• Protein: A source of plant-based protein, hazelnut butter contains around 5 grams per serving, supporting muscle health and promoting satiety.
• Healthy Fats: Rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, hazelnut butter contributes to a balanced diet, with about 17 grams of fat per serving.
• Dietary Fiber: Offering both soluble and insoluble fiber, hazelnut butter aids in digestion and helps maintain a healthy digestive system, delivering around 3.5 grams of fiber.
• Vitamins and Minerals: Hazelnut butter is a good source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports skin health, and provides essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, and copper.
• Low Carbohydrates: With approximately 5 grams of carbohydrates, hazelnut butter can be a suitable option for those managing their carb intake.

Why Homemade Hazelnut Butter?

Making hazelnut butter at home isn't just about saving a few bucks. Store-bought varieties often harbor a myriad of additives, preservatives, and sweeteners which compromise the health benefits of this delicious spread. Crafting hazelnut butter at home means that you have complete control over what goes into ensuring a wholesome and fresh end product. And on top of that, it’s super easy to do! Let’s jump right in.

What You'll Need to Make Hazelnut Butter at Home

You don’t need a whole lot to make hazelnut butter at home, but at the very least you’ll need: 

• Raw, fresh hazelnuts
• Food processor or blender
• Baking tray

Making Hazelnut Butter: A Step By Step Outline 

Below you’ll find a step by step for our no-fail hazelnut butter recipe. Here at Ayoub’s we are firm believers in keeping everything as natural as possible, and to us this hazelnut butter recipe is perfection as is. However, sometimes we might want to switch it up a little, treat ourselves, or maybe it’s for a recipe that needs a little flavor kick, so we’ve added in two optional steps at the end for adding in salt, sweeteners or anything you like for a spread that is a little more indulgent. We also have a separate recipe for a delicious chocolate hazelnut spread that is more on the decadent side.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh raw hazelnuts - that’s it!

Instructions:

Roast The Hazelnuts:

Roasting hazelnuts in the oven before making hazelnut butter is essential for elevating both flavor and texture. The roasting process intensifies the nutty taste, facilitates easy removal of bitter skins, and releases natural oils crucial for achieving a smooth, spreadable butter. This extra step enhances the overall quality of hazelnut butter, ensuring a rich, satisfying experience with every spread.

Removing The Skins:

Hazelnut skins have a slightly bitter taste that can impact the overall sweetness of the butter. By removing the skins, the final product is smoother and has a more mellow, nutty flavor. Additionally, the skins can contribute to a grainy texture in the butter, and removing them helps achieve a creamier and more velvety consistency. Overall, the process of skin removal enhances the quality and palatability of hazelnut butter, ensuring a more enjoyable spread or ingredient in various recipes.

Blending Into Nut Butter

During blending, the hazelnuts go through various stages, starting with a coarse, crumbly texture and gradually transforming into a smoother consistency as the natural oils are released. Having patience during the blending process is crucial for achieving a creamy and spreadable hazelnut butter, with the final product offering a rich, nutty flavor and a velvety texture. Scraping down the sides of the blender to ensure all the product gets in is very important here.

Can I Customize This Recipe With Different Flavors?

Certainly! While making hazelnut butter, you have the creative freedom to customize it to your taste preferences. You can enhance the flavor by adding sweeteners or incorporating chocolate. If you prefer a sweet hazelnut butter, consider adding honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or a sweetener of your choice. For a delightful chocolate twist, blend in cocoa powder or melted chocolate during the final stages of processing. This creates a luscious chocolate hazelnut butter reminiscent of a popular spread. Experimenting with ingredients like vanilla extract or a pinch of salt can also elevate the overall taste profile. Just be mindful of quantities to maintain the desired consistency, and feel free to tailor your hazelnut butter to suit your unique palate.

For a chocolatey touch, we recommend checking out our post on making a delicious Chocolate Hazelnut Spread at home. Trust us, it’s worth it.

How To Store Hazelnut Butter:

Can I Freeze Hazelnut Butter?

Yes, you can freeze hazelnut butter. Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of nut butters, including hazelnut butter, especially if you make it in large batches or want to preserve it for a longer period.

Here are some tips for freezing hazelnut butter:

1. Portioning: Consider dividing the hazelnut butter into smaller portions before freezing. This makes it easier to thaw only the amount you need at a given time.

2. Airtight Containers: Transfer the hazelnut butter to airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. Ensure that you remove as much air as possible from the packaging to prevent freezer burn.

3. Leave Room for Expansion: If using containers, leave a bit of space at the top to account for the expansion of the hazelnut butter as it freezes.

4. Labeling: Clearly label the containers with the date of freezing to keep track of its freshness.

5. Thawing: When you're ready to use the hazelnut butter, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. You can also use the defrost function on a microwave for quicker thawing.

While freezing won't alter the taste or texture of the hazelnut butter significantly, keep in mind that the oils may separate during freezing. If this happens, simply stir the hazelnut butter well to recombine the oils before using.

Uses For Hazelnut Butter

While the allure of a simple hazelnut butter on toast is undeniable, let's dive deeper into the versatile world of this delightful spread. Hazelnut butter isn't just confined to the realms of a humble sandwich filling; it's a versatile ingredient that can elevate both sweet and savory dishes.

• Smoothie Booster: Introduce a spoonful of hazelnut butter into your morning smoothie for a rich, nutty flavor that compliments a variety of fruits and vegetables.
• Desserts: Elevate your desserts by incorporating hazelnut butter into your recipes. From brownies to cookies, the subtle nuttiness adds a decadent twist to your sweet treats.
• Salad Dressing: Create a unique and flavorful salad dressing by blending hazelnut butter with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a hint of honey.
• Savory Dish Enhancer: Experiment with hazelnut butter in savory dishes like stir-fries or as a dip for vegetables. The nutty undertones add depth to your savory creations.

From breakfast to dinner and everything in between, hazelnut butter will be your new bestie in your future culinary adventures!

Explore More Nut Butter Recipes

Looking for more nut butter inspiration? Check out our step by step guides for creating pistachio butter, almond butter, pumpkin seed butter or, browse our range of all-natural nut butters here. 

Here's to filling your kitchen with the aroma of roasted hazelnuts and creating a yummy spread to have around when you need that energy pick me up. Whether you savor it straight from the jar or incorporate it into your favorite recipes, homemade hazelnut butter is a delicious and nutritious addition to any foodie's repertoire. If you’ve got some tricks you like to use when making hazelnut butter at home, let us know in the comment section below!

Hazelnut Butter

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Category

Nut Butters

Author:

Gillian Brady

A luscious and velvety spread crafted from roasted hazelnuts.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh raw hazelnuts

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Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

3. Roast for 10-15 minutes, or until the skins darken.

4. After roasting, transfer the hazelnuts to a clean kitchen towel.

5. Rub the hazelnuts in the towel to remove the loose skins.

6. Transfer the skinned hazelnuts to a food processor or blender.

7. Blend for 8-10 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. Note: If you prefer crunchy hazelnut butter, stop blending when you reach the desired consistency.

8. Blend briefly to evenly distribute any added ingredients.