How is Peanut Butter Made?

Making peanut butter:
All peanut butter is made by a similar process. First the raw, shelled peanuts are roasted and cooled, then the skins are blanched. Some manufactures split the kernels and remove the heart of the peanuts as well. (the hearts can be saved to make peanut oil and the skins left over from blanching can be sold for animal feed.) the blanched peanut kernels are electronically sorted or hand picked one last time to be sure only good, wholesome kernels are used in peanut butter.

Peanuts are ground, usually through two grinding stages to produce a smooth, even textured butter. The peanuts are heated during the grinding to about 170°. Once the emulsifier are added and mixed, the butter is cooled rapidly to 120° or below. This crystallizes the emulsifiers, thus trapping the peanut oil that was released by the grinding. To make crunchy peanut butter, the manufacturer will add peanut granules to the creamy butter. ( Source: The Great American Peanut)

Peanut Butter Recipe:
Homemade peanut butter is easily made with an electric blender or food processor. The longer the blending, the softer the peanut butter will be. The peanut butter should be stored in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator. Stir to mix the oil before using.

  • 1 Cup Roasted Shelled Peanuts (with or without red skins)
  • 1 1/2 Teaspoon Peanut Oil
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt (omit if salted peanuts are used)
Place ingredients in a blender or food processor. With the lid secured, blend until mixture becomes paste-like or spreadable. If necessary, stop the machine and scrape the mixture from the sides of the container to put back in contact with the blades. Continue blending until the desired consistency is reached.

For crunchy peanut butter, add 1/4 cup chopped, roasted peanuts after blending is completed. (makes approximately 1 cup)


Creamy Peanut Butter Nutrition Facts:
Serving size 2 tbsp. (32g). Amount per serving
  • Calories: 190
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrates: 6.2 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1.8 g
  • Total Fat: 16.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.3 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 7.8 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.4 g
  • Vitamin E: 3.2 ATE
  • C Riboflavin: 0.03 mg
  • Vitamin A: 0 IU
  • Vitamin C: 0 mg
  • Folate: 23.7 mcg
  • Vitamin B6: 0.14 mg
  • Vitamin B12: 0.0 mg
  • Niacin: 4.3 mg
  • Zinc: 0.9 mg
  • Copper: 0.04 mg
  • Magnesium: 50.9 mg
  • Phosphors: 118.1 mg
  • Potassium: 214.1 mg
  • Calcium: 2.2 mg
  • Thiamin: 0.03 mg
  • Iron: 0.6 mg

For more information nutritional information and health benefits from Peanut Butter please visit The Peanut Institute.