• Homemade peanut butter is more natural and often tastier than store-bought peanut butter. Many manufactured varieties often contain substantial sodium and added fats.Wellsphere.com: How to Make Peanut Butter at Home When you opt to make your own peanut butter, you know it's completely natural and better for your body.

• Peanut butter is actually quite simple to make and doesn't require many ingredients. These ingredients are sufficient to make three cups of homemade peanut butter. If you wish to make more or less, simply half or double the recipe.

• Ingredients
  • 4 cups natural peanuts
  • 3 teaspoons peanut oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt

• Equipment
  • Baking pan
  • Oven
  • Food processor or blender
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Bowl
  • Jar or other storage container

• If you don't have peanut oil on hand, you can substitute with olive oil. HowStuffWorks notes that both peanut oil and olive oil contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.Recipes.Howstuffworks.com: The Health Benefits of Olive Oil

• If you don't wish to roast the peanuts yourself, you can purchase roasted peanuts. Either unsalted or salted varieties work fine for the recipe.

• If you purchase roasted peanuts, you can skip this step. If you'd like the ultimate in homemade peanut butter, it's actually quite easy to roast peanuts yourself.

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Remove the peanuts from their shells.
3. Spread the peanuts across a baking pan. The peanuts can be close to one another but make sure they are not piled on top of each other.
4. Bake the peanuts for 15 to 18 minutes.
5. Remove promptly from the oven and allow to cool.

• You can also cook the peanuts in their shells. Simply follow the same procedure but bake them for longer. Shelled peanuts require about 25 to 28 minutes in the oven to be fully roasted.

• Now that you have fully roasted peanuts, you are ready to make your homemade peanut butter.

1. Put half your roasted peanuts into the food processor or blender.
2. Add half the peanut oil.
3. Grind the peanuts for two to four minutes. The mixture will appear clumpy.
4. Pour the remaining peanuts and peanut oil into the food processor or blender.
5. Continue chopping the nuts until you achieve the consistency you desire. Creamy peanut butter will require more blending time.
6. Add the salt and mix for another minute.

• Your homemade peanut butter lacks the preservatives in store-bought peanut butter does, so it won't last as long. Make sure to enjoy this all-natural, preservative-free food while it's still fresh!

1. Refrigerate the peanut butter as soon as you have finished preparing it. It will last for about two weeks.PreparedPantry.comcom: Choosing the Right Peanut Butter
2. The oil in the peanut butter may rise to the top when it is stored. Simply stir it to redistribute the oil throughout the entire concoction.
3. Make peanut butter your new staple with bread rather than butter. Peanut butter is a healthier choice as it is a significant source of protein, fiber and monounsaturated fat.Peanut-Butter.org: Health Benefits of Peanut Butter
4. Eat your homemade peanut butter with fruits and vegetables. Spread on apple slices, banana chunks or celery sticks.
5. Use homemade peanut butter to make peanut butter cookies. The cookies will taste much fresher than when you use manufactured peanut butter.
   • - Check out Mahalo's page on How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies for a complete guide!

• The beauty of homemade peanut butter is that you can custom-make it to your exact specifications. There are a variety of different things you can try to achieve your ideal peanut butter.

1. For very crunchy peanut butter, add one cup of chopped peanuts after you have finished.

The Gardener's Network: Homemade Peanut Butter Recipe Use a mixing spoon to evenly distribute these additional nuts.

1. Try using honey instead of peanut oil. This will add a sweeter flavor to the peanut butter.Food Network: Homemade Peanut Butter
2. Mix almonds or macadamia nuts into the mixture for more varied, nutty flavors.
3. For a delicious treat, add one cup of chocolate chips to the recipe. The result will be the tasty combination of peanut butter and chocolate.
4. If you are sensitive to sodium or have high blood pressure,MayoClinic: Sodium: Are you getting too much? do not add salt to the recipe. The peanuts have enough natural flavor that the salt is not necessary.

• Once you've mastered homemade peanut butter, you'll likely never go back to eating store-bought varieties. Enjoy the delicious taste and feel good about eating this all-natural food!