Macadamia Butter (1 ingredient, 5 minutes, super easy!)

Macadamia nut butter is a fantastically satisfying buttery spread that has an amazing creamy texture and rich nutty taste. There’s only 1 ingredient making this nut butter super easy and healthy. It’s vegan, paleo, and keto.

Like most all of my nut butter, you just put the ingredients in a food processor (or high-speed blender) and blend until it’s creamy. That’s it!

Macadamia nuts are a little more expensive than other nut varieties, but I feel like we should all be treating ourselves to luxury healthy treats after the year we have just been through.

Making homemade macadamia butter rather than buying storebought will save you money and ensures there are no strange, unpronounceable ingredients. Besides, I’ve added tips on how to store the nuts and the butter, so you can buy in bulk making this nut butter deluxe yet less expensive.

A spoon dipped in a jar of macadamia butter

Ingredients

  • Salted roasted macadamia nuts. That’s it!

Do I have to use roasted macadamia nuts? Not necessarily, but roasted nuts bring more depth and flavor. If you want the best-tasting butter, I would definitely go with roasted nuts (or raw nuts that you toast yourself!).

It is also a pain in the butt to make nut butter out of raw nuts. Your food processor will likely get overheated, the nut butter may be clumpy, and again, it simply won’t taste as good.

Equipment

  • You need a food processor or a high-speed blender. If you try to use a regular blender, nothing will happen. You need liquid in a regular blender to get things moving. My food processor is 1,000 watts and does a terrific job, but you want one with at least 700 watts to make it work well. If you have one with fewer watts, you can try it. Just take breaks, especially if it’s hot, and take your time making this lush butter.
  • You also need an airtight storage container like a wide-mouthed jar with a tight lid. You will want to fill the jar to the top and leave little room for air, so this should be a consideration when selecting the right-sized container.

process photo showing whole macadamia nuts in a food processor

How to make macadamia butter

It’s simple!

  1. Add roasted macadamia nuts to the food processor until they cover the blade.
  2. Blend until smooth and creamy, taking breaks as necessary, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  3. It’s done when it’s creamy!

Can I roast my own nuts?

Sure! It’s easy, and in fact, it’s healthier if you can’t find nuts without additives at the supermarket.

It can also save you money. Buying raw nuts and roasting them yourself ensures they don’t have strange additives, and the cost will certainly be less than buying pre-roasted. As an extra bonus, they make great gifts when the time comes.

In the oven

If you want to roast your own raw nuts, just spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet, spray with a little oil, and add a little salt. Preheat the oven to 250 °F (120 °C).

Roast until they turn golden brown or for about 8 to 10 minutes. But don’t look away or get distracted!

They can burn in the blink of an eye. At four minutes, I would give the sheet a little shake so it gets them evenly roasted.

a spoon drizzling macadamia butter on a piece of toast

In the air fryer

Using the air fryer means you don’t need to add any oil, there’s no need to preheat, it won’t heat up your house, and it cooks faster. Just set the temperature at 325 °F (160 °C), spread the nuts in a single layer, not to overcrowd them. 

It could take anywhere between 6 to 10 minutes. I would start at 6 minutes, shaking them a little halfway through the process to determine how much more time is needed.

You want the nuts to turn golden brown, no darker. Be aware, these nuts can scorch quickly, so don’t get distracted.

Keep checking and shaking until they turn the perfect hue. Once done, let the nuts cool completely before storing.

In the microwave

This might be the easiest and least worrisome way to roast your nuts. Just remember, do not pile the nuts on the plate; you want a nice even spread.

Use your largest glass plate or microwave-safe pie dish. Then microwave the macadamia nuts in 1-minute intervals, stirring them between each interval. Depending on your microwave, they should be done in about 6 to 7 minutes.

On the stovetop

Roasting nuts on the stovetop is quick and easy, but you will need a small amount of oil. Add the nuts in a single layer and a little salt, stir throughout the process to get them evenly roasted.

It should take about 8 minutes. Again, don’t get distracted, walk away, or make a phone call!

You don’t want even a hint of char on the nuts. Just keep an eye on them, stir them, and you should have perfectly roasted macadamia nuts.

If you roast your own nuts, what is your preferred method?

Photo of macadamia butter spread on top of a golden brown piece of toast

Uses of macadamia nut butter

  • Spread it on your favorite toasted bread! I love to eat mine with Sourdough Bread. But slathered on this Dairy-free Banana Bread would also be great. It’s an instant energy boost that is perfect to start your day.
  • If you’re having a party, set out some fancy crackers and homemade nut butter!
  • If you love curries, marinated satays, or stir-fries, use this butter as a base to add an extra nutty flavor.
  • If you’re inventive and are looking for more ways to use this nut butter, I found a terrific list of 10 creative ways to use nut butter.
  • Want to sweeten the spread? Be aware that if you add a liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup, it’ll cause the macadamia nut butter to seize. It may or may not get a bit clumpy.
  • And remember, nut butter is an excellent way to spread the love to family and friends. A jar of nut butter all wrapped up with a bow makes excellent homemade food gifts. It doesn’t even have to be a holiday to share this treat.

Do macadamia nuts go bad?

Yes, they can, like any nut.

I like to buy in bulk when I can; it’s cheaper, and I can have nuts to use whenever I need them, so I definitely need to store them correctly. It would be such a waste not to.

a glass of macadamia butter on a white table

How to store macadamia nuts

The best way to protect the nuts from going rancid is to use an airtight container or freezer bag. You don’t want too much air either, so use a container of the right size to store these upscale nuts.

If the nuts come in a resealable bag, then that should work fine. If, however, the seal isn’t great, put the bag in a freezer bag just to make sure.

Properly sealed roasted nuts can remain in your pantry for 2-4 weeks as long as they’re stored in a cool, dark place.

If you place them in the fridge, you can store them for up to 6 months.

And you can save your unused macadamia nuts in the freezer for 3-6 months. The great thing is you can thaw the nuts, then refreeze them many times without diminishing texture or flavor.

How to store nut butter

Since homemade nut butter doesn’t have preservatives like store-bought butter, it can turn bad quite quickly. Storing it in a cool, dark place that is away from the heat in an airtight container will increase its shelf life.

Keeping it in the fridge is the best option for a longer duration. But know that the oil will separate in the fridge, and because it has a firmer consistency, it becomes harder to spread. But you only need to let it stand at room temperature for a few minutes. Stir and it will be easily spreadable once again.

If you don’t think you can eat a jar within the month, you can certainly freeze the remainder in an airtight container for up to 4 months.

To thaw, just place it in the fridge the day before you plan to use it. Then let it stand at room temperature for a few minutes, stir and serve. Then seal it and place it back into the fridge.

a spoon of macadamia butter dripping into a jar of butter to spread on toast

How do you know if the nuts have gone bad?

There are several things to look for to know if macadamia nuts have gone bad.

  • Rancid nuts will smell off and will have a bitter taste (hopefully, you won’t have to try that).
  • That creamy buttery color will turn dark when the nut is no longer palpable.
  • If the nut has lost its luster and the texture is dry, it’s best to discard them.
  • If mold develops or you suspect they are rancid, you definitely want to toss them.
  • As with anything we digest: when in doubt, throw it out.
  • Beware! Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, so keep them stored correctly and keep the furry ones safe and well.

Benefits:

Like most nuts, macadamia nuts are rich in nutrients, vitamins, protein, and fiber, and low in carbs and sugar. These benefits have been linked to improved digestion, weight management, and blood sugar control.

Macadamia nuts are tree nuts that may lower the risk factors of heart disease; help improve metabolic syndrome, which reduces the risk of diabetes and strokes; plus, they have a certain type of vitamin E that is known to help prevent cancer and also help to protect the brain.

They provide plant-based protein, are high in beneficial fats and fiber, which improves gut health, and helps you feel satisfied longer.

They are also high in antioxidants, which help your body fight against cellular damage and disease.

Plus, they’re super easy to add all the healthy goodness to your diet.

process photos showing step-by-step instructions on how to make macadamia butter from blending the macadamias to seeing the smooth butter after the process is finished

Other Nut Butters:

Most of my nut butter recipes use the same simple method. Just roast, blend until creamy, and done! But you may prefer a different type of nut, so here is my list of the different types of nut butter that I have available.

Whichever nut you choose, I’m sure you’ll be happy with the results.

a spoon dripping with macadamia butter

Macadamia Butter (1 ingredient, 5 minutes, super easy!)

Author Erin Dooner
Course Nut butters
Cuisine American
Servings 10
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Macadamia nut butter is a fantastically satisfying buttery spread that has an amazing creamy texture and rich nutty taste. It’s vegan, paleo, and keto.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (268 grams) macadamia nuts salted roasted, you might need more depending on how big your food processor is – the blade should be covered, plus a bit more

Instructions

  • Add roasted macadamia nuts to the food processor until it covers the blade.
  • Blend until smooth and creamy, taking breaks as necessary, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • It’s done when it’s creamy!

Notes

  • The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator. This recipe yields about 1 1/4 cups (268 grams) of nut butter.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 tablespoonsCalories: 192kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 2gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 99mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mgNet Carbs: 2
Tried this recipe?Tag me today! Mention @texanerin or tag #texanerin! Thanks. 🖤

Categories: 

, , , , , , , ,
5 from 5 votes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. Moop Brown says:

    5 stars
    I’m not too familiar with macadamia butter but this recipe has me intrigued and is something I am looking forward to trying. It also seems like something especially versatile and able to be paired with other recipes as well.

  2. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says:

    I love homemade nut butter. This one is exceptional! It’s absolutely perfect and a must-make!

  3. Amanda Dixon says:

    5 stars
    Oh, my goodness, I’m obsessed with macadamia nuts and absolutely loved this! I’ll be making this regularly for sure.

  4. Jacqueline Debono says:

    5 stars
    I never realized that nut butter was so easy to make. Now I want to try this macadamia one and the pistachio one!

  5. 5 stars
    Homemade nut butter is so easy to make! I love making my own too..I’ve never had macadamia butter before though. Looks wonderful drizzled on a sweet bread!

  6. 5 stars
    Greetings to you!
    I do love your recipes. I would like to make this with dry roasted nuts, it should not be a problem, right? Just one less step I assume. Thank you and take care…

More You'll Love