How to Make Hazelnut Butter

Learn how to make hazelnut butter in three simple steps. It is a delicious, nutritious, and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways, such as spread on toast or fruit, added to smoothies, or incorporated into baked goods and savory dishes for a rich and nutty flavor.

If you’re a fan of nut butters like me, you might want to try making your own homemade hazelnut butter. It’s rich and super creamy, and you only need one ingredient and a food processor (or a high-speed blender) to make it.

In this post, I’ll guide you through a simple process to make hazelnut butter at home, along with some tips, tricks, and recipe ideas to help you get the most out of this delicious spread.

Jump to:

• What is hazelnut butter
• Ingredient notes
• How to make hazelnut butter
• Recipe video
• Tips & recipe notes
• Variations & additions
• Serving suggestions
• Storage tips
• FAQs
• Recipe

What is hazelnut butter

Hazelnut butter is a spread made from ground hazelnuts. It has a rich, nutty flavor and a creamy texture that is similar to other nut butters like almond butter, Brazil nut butter, and cashew butter.

It is quite tasty and can be enjoyed on its own or used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes, including smoothies, oatmeal, cookies, cakes, and more.

Hazelnut butter nutrition & health benefits

Hazelnut butter is a good source of healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It offers a range of potential health benefits, from supporting heart health to improving brain function, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a healthy snack or ingredient.

Ingredient notes

You only need raw hazelnuts to make this nut butter at home! You can also add other ingredients to make it even more flavorful. Later in this post, I’ll suggest some of them.

Hazelnuts are a commonly found ingredient at most grocery stores. I like to purchase them from my local Costco as they offer an option with great value for money.

If it’s important to you, you can also opt to use sprouted hazelnuts.

How to make hazelnut butter

There are three simple steps to make your own hazelnut butter at home.

Step 1: Roast the hazelnuts

Roasting hazelnuts enhance their flavor and aroma by bringing out their natural oils and toasting their skins. This can result in a richer and nuttier flavor profile for the hazelnut butter.

Spread the hazelnuts out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven and roast the nuts for about 10-15 minutes, or until the skins have darkened and started to crack, and the nuts have turned golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly.

Step 2: Peel the roasted hazelnuts (optional)

Once the nuts are roasted, remove them from the oven and immediately transfer the hot hazelnuts to a clean kitchen towel. Fold the towel over the nuts and rub them together inside the towel to remove their skins. The skins should come off easily, but you may need to do this in batches).

Note: It is not necessary to peel the hazelnuts, but their skins can add a slightly bitter taste to the butter. If you prefer a smoother and milder hazelnut butter, I recommend you remove them.

Step 3: Process / blend until creamy

A food processor or high-speed blender are the most common and versatile tools for making nut butters, and you can use whichever one you have.

• A food processor is my go-to equipment for making nut butters (mine is from KitchenAid). It’s powerful enough to grind the nuts into a smooth paste, and it typically has a large capacity, so you can make a big batch of nut butter at once.
• A high-speed blender, such as a Vitamix or Blendtec, has a powerful motor that can handle tough blending tasks, including grinding nuts into butter. Its high-speed blades can create a smooth and creamy texture. However, I don’t recommend using a regular blender for this task!

Get your food processor or blender ready and add the roasted hazelnuts to it. Blend them until you get a smooth and creamy texture, which might take a few minutes.

As you can see in the photos, at first the nuts will break down into a fine powder. When this happens, hit pause on your blender or food processor and grab a spatula to scrape down the sides. Then, keep blending. The natural oils in those nuts will work their magic and transform them into a smooth and creamy hazelnut butter.

Note: If the hazelnut butter is too thick, you can add a few tablespoons of vegetable oil or hazelnut oil to make it smoother.

Recipe video

Watch how to make this recipe:

Tips & recipe notes

• Don’t rush the blending process: Making nut butter can take some time, especially if you’re using a low-power blender or food processor. Be patient and blend your nuts for several minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the blender or food processor as needed.
• Add salt to taste: Salt can help to bring out the nutty flavor of your nut butter. Start with small amounts and add more as needed.
• Stir before using: Natural nut butters tend to separate, with the oil rising to the top. Be sure to stir the nut butter thoroughly before each use to ensure a consistent texture and flavor.
• Don’t soak the nuts: It is also important to note that for this recipe, you should not soak the hazelnuts unless you can dehydrate them before blending. Excess moisture makes it very hard for them to turn into a creamy butter.
• Make it crunchy: To make a crunchy hazelnut butter, simply add in whole or chopped hazelnuts to your desired level of crunchiness. You can use a spoon or spatula to mix it by hand, or pulse it in a food processor until the nuts are chopped and mixed in.
• Mix things up: You can also blend hazelnuts with other nuts like almonds, cashews, or Brazil nuts to create a delicious mixed nut butter. Just roast the preferred nut along with hazelnuts and follow the same process.

Variations & additions

Adding more ingredients to your homemade nut butter is a great way to change up the taste and create new and exciting flavor combinations. Here are some ideas for adding flavors to hazelnut butter:

• Sweeteners: Adding a sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar can help to balance out the nutty and add a touch of sweetness. In addition, low calorie sweeteners such as xylitol and monk fruit might also work well for those who are looking to reduce their calorie intake or avoid using traditional sugar.
• Spices: Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom can add warmth and depth of flavor to nut butters.
• Vanilla extract: A few drops of vanilla extract can add a sweet and fragrant flavor to nut butters.
• Cocoa powder: Adding cocoa powder to your nut butter can create a rich and chocolaty flavor. You can also use cacao powder. Check our Chocolate Hazelnut Butter recipe for detailed measurements.
• Coconut: Shredded coconut adds a great texture to nut butters. Pulse the coconut in a food processor or blender until it’s finely chopped, then add it to the nut butter mixture and blend well.
• Dried fruit: Adding chopped dried fruit like raisins, dates, or apricots adds a sweet and fruity flavor to nut butters. To do so, you can finely chop the dried fruit of your choice, then add it to the nut butter mixture and blend until you achieve your desired consistency.
• Seeds: Hemp, chia, and flaxseeds are all great sources of nutrients such as protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They can be easily added to your nut butter for a nutrient boost.

When adding flavors to hazelnut butter, it’s important to start with small amounts and add more to taste. Blend the nut butter mixture well after each addition to ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed.

Serving suggestions

Hazelnut butter can be used in many ways, just like any other nut butter! Here are some ideas:

• Spread it on toast, crackers, or rice cakes for a delicious snack.
• Stir it into oatmeal, overnight oats, or yogurt for added flavor and healthy fats.
• Use it as a base for homemade granola bars or energy balls.
• Add it to smoothies or shakes to make them more filling and satisfying.
• Use it as a dip for veggies and fruits like apples and strawberries.
• Mix it into baked goods like muffins or cookies.
• Use it as a substitute for peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butters in sauces, dressings, or soups.

It’s important to note that hazelnut butter is high in calories and fat, so it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Storage tips

Once ready, transfer the hazelnut butter to an airtight container with a secure lid to prevent moisture and air from getting in. Mason jars or glass containers with rubber gasket seals are great options.

You can store it at room temperature in a cool, dry area that’s out of direct sunlight and heat sources for up to a month.

To maintain freshness and prevent spoilage, refrigerate it for up to 3 months.

You can also freeze it for longer storage. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

Note: added liquids, such as vanilla extract and maple syrup, can reduce the shelf life.

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