While peanut butter is still the most popular nut butter on the shelves, almond butter is quickly gaining in popularity. Whether it be from the rise of peanut allergies or due to taste preference, a variety of almond butter flavors can now be found in most grocery stores.
The only downfall with almond butter? The price tag! At least two dollars more than your average peanut butter jar, almond butter can be quite pricey, especially when you are looking for different flavors.
Save yourself some cash by skipping the pre-made almond butters and instead head over to the bulk bins. Almonds can frequently be found on sale, and by making your own almond butter at home you can save yourself some extra cash.
As an added bonus, you can personalize your almond butter in whatever way you please, just like I did here! With a buttery smooth texture and a subtle sweetness from the superfood goji berries ( Read About Goji Berry Benefits ), this Goji Berry Almond Butter hits all the right notes.
The best part about this almond butter (besides the amount of money you save making it yourself) is that the only kitchen tool required is a quality food processor!
The noise may startle you at first, but after a few minutes the almonds will begin to soften and the noise will die down some. I don’t recommend making this while the kids are napping though!
Health Benefits of Almonds:
Almonds are among the healthiest of tree nuts. Rich in vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and potassium, almonds are also a significant source of protein as well as fiber. Just 23 almonds contain 160 calories and while most of those calories come from fat, 13 grams are healthy unsaturated fats.
Heart Healthy Nuts
According to the FDA, just 1.5 ounces of almonds a day may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Magnesium in particular, is one nutrient in almonds that can help contribute to increased heart health. Magnesium is critical in preventing heart attacks and hypertension, making it a vital contributor to a healthy heart. Another element of almonds, vitamin E, reduces the risk of heart disease by working with the flavonoids found in the almond’s skin. These two work together to reduce the oxidation of cholesterol, which prevents a build up of plaque on the artery wall. Too much plaque build up can lead to heart attacks and stroke.
Several studies have also shown that almonds can be effective in reducing bad cholesterol while helping to improve good cholesterol, which can also play a vital role in heart health.
Health Benefits of Goji Berries:
Goji berries are considered to be the most nutritionally dense fruit in the world. Containing a higher concentration of protein than other fruit, goji berries are also unique in that they contain all of the essential amino acids that the body requires.
Just a quarter cup of goji berries contains 11 essential vitamins and 22 trace minerals, including 24 percent of our recommended daily intake of potassium, 18 percent of zinc and a staggering 100 percent of iron, copper and riboflavin.
Goji berries help to:
- Fight against free radicals in the body, warding off diseases like cancer
- Protect the eyes from UV damage
- Reduce LDL cholesterol levels, helping to prevent cardiovascular damage
- Protect the liver from damage
Want to learn more about goji berries? Read on here.
Goji Berry Almond Butter
Ingredients:
- 1 cup roasted unsalted almonds
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt
- 1/3 cup goji berries, diced
Directions:
1. Place almonds into a food processor. Turn on and let almonds process for 5 to 10 minutes. Stop processor half way through to scrape down the sides.
2. Once almonds have been ground into a smooth butter, add in the vanilla extract and sea salt.
3. Continue to blend the almond butter until it is to the creaminess level you prefer.
4. Add goji berries. Pulse until well distributed.
5. Scrape almond butter from food processor into a jar. Enjoy!
Notes:
- If you prefer a sweeter almond butter, just add two tablespoons of raw honey!
- You can use unroasted almonds if you prefer, however I feel that roasted almonds give a deeper flavor to the butter.
What To Pair With Your Almond Butter:
- Dip apples, bananas, or celery into this almond butter for a tasty snack!
- Spread it on toast or use in a sandwich in place of traditional peanut butter
- Stir a tablespoon into a warm bowl of oatmeal for some healthy fats
- Spread a teaspoon onto a square of dark chocolate (a personal favorite!)
So whether you find yourself avoiding peanuts due to an allergy or you are just looking for a way to save some money, this almond butter is the solution! Stock up on almonds when they go on sale and start your own almond butter creation at home. The flavors and combinations are endless!
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