How to make Smooth Creamy Peanut Butter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the peanuts evenly on a baking sheet. Keeping them in a single layer helps them roast evenly.

Roast the peanuts in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown and aromatic. It's important to keep an eye on them during this process because every oven is unique, and they can burn quickly.

Once they are well roasted, let them cool down a bit. The peanuts should be warm, not hot. This is crucial because too much heat can make the oil separate too quickly during the blending process affecting the smoothness of the butter.

Now, let's move to the blending phase. For a chunky peanut butter, reserve about 1/4 cup of peanuts. Transfer the rest into a powerful blender or a food processor. Process them for 1 minute and then scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Continue processing while slowly adding in the oil. Start with 1 tablespoon and then add more if necessary. The peanuts will go from crumbs to a dry ball to a creamy peanut butter consistency. Add a pinch of salt and sweetener if desired. Here's where your personal taste can shine! You can tweak the creaminess, saltiness, and sweetness to your liking. If you want a crunchy version, now's the time to pulse in those reserved peanuts.

Transfer your homemade peanut butter into an airtight jar, it stays fresh at room temperature for two weeks. But honestly, mine has never lasted that long since it seems to find its way into smoothies, on top of toast, and more often than not, directly into my mouth by the spoonful!