The Easy Way To Add More Flavor To Almond Butter
Like with any plain nut butter, plain almond butter can taste just as advertised. Though almonds are rich in nutrients and have a wonderful creaminess of their own, when it comes to turning them into a spreadable paste, there is no shortage of ingredients that can be added to make almond butter all the more flavorful.
Adding flavor to almond butter is as easy as you would think it is. You literally just mix it in. This is easiest to do with homemade almond butter, as you are better able to control the consistency. However, you can just as easily open up a jar of store-bought almond butter and go to town. The best almond butter is that which is creamy and smooth and has a mildly sweet, toasted taste. A sprinkling of salt does wonders here, as it really amplifies the almonds' natural flavors, as well as providing a dash of salinity to balance out the almonds' natural sweetness.
Some other excellent ingredients that enhance the flavor of almond butter include honey, cinnamon, maple syrup, and intense spice combinations, like chai or pumpkin spice. And if you want the most control over ingredients, consistency, and flavor, you've got to try making your own flavorful almond butter at home.
How to make flavorful almond butter at home
Almond butter is incredibly easy to make, especially when it comes to adding flavor. There is no better way to maintain complete control. All you need is a baking sheet, a food processor or blender, some good-quality almonds, neutral cooking oil, and whatever extra flavors you plan on adding at the end.
The almonds first need to be roasted in the oven for a few minutes to loosen them up and release the essential oils. This can be done in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 10 to 12 minutes. You could also smoke the almonds for an ultra-smoky nut butter. Once the almonds have cooled completely, process them little by little in the food processor until you get a smooth, creamy consistency. Too many almonds can affect the speed of the processor's blade and cause the butter to come out lumpy. You can add a little light olive oil to aid with additional smoothness.
You can now mix in those extra flavors like salt, honey, cinnamon, maple syrup, or chai spice blend. Then, you can jar up the flavored almond butter and store it in the fridge, where it will keep for up to two weeks. Whichever ingredients you choose to use, you'll end up with a wonderfully flavorful, wonderfully nutritious almond butter that you can be proud to say you made at home.