First there was peanut butter. Then almond butter appeared on the scene. Then someone decided cashew butter was the thing. And now nut butters are positively everywhere. From exotic versions like pistachio and hazelnut to more traditional varieties like pecan and walnut, if it’s a nut, someone somewhere has probably ground it up and spread it on a slice of bread. The same is true of macadamia nut butter.
But unlike, say, cashew butter, macadamia butter contains three times the fiber and almost half the carbs, which makes it perfect for someone following a ketogenic diet. Plus, macadamia nut butter is a great source of healthy fats, which makes it an even better choice if you’re following a paleo diet. And its smooth texture and rich, buttery taste make it a positively indulgent tropical treat—some might even say downright addictive.
So come with us as we dig into this relative newcomer to the wonderful world of nut butters and offer up some tasty recipes that will have you saying, more macadamia nut butter, please!
Like all nuts, raw macadamia nuts are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, but macadamia nuts are particularly rich in vitamin B6, thiamine, magnesium, copper, iron, and manganese.
They’re also chock-full of special forms of vitamin E called tocotrienols, which act as potent antioxidants that reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
What’s more, even though macadamia nuts have one of the highest fat contents of any nut, over three quarters of that fat is monounsaturated fat—the same type of fat found in both avocado and olive oil.
However, macadamia nuts are also considered the world’s most expensive nut, mostly because the trees they grow on are difficult to cultivate and take 7 to 10 years before they begin producing any nuts. And they have extremely tough shells, which makes getting them to market really labor-intensive.
But you can save money and still enjoy the smooth creaminess of macadamia nut butter by simply making your own.
One of the best things about macadamia nut butter is that it’s so easy to make. Plus, you can make it using either roasted or raw nuts—though if you’re looking for the most nutrition, we recommend going the raw route, as some studies suggest that roasting reduces levels of some nutrients.
Because macadamia nuts pair so well with different flavors, there are almost as many macadamia nut butter recipes as there are people to invent them.
So we hunted down a couple basic recipes to give you an idea of the versatility of this tropical nut and to give you a solid base upon which to branch out.
This first recipe, from My Sweet Keto, is so simple you’ll be wondering why you’ve never made macadamia nut butter before, because all it requires is macadamia nuts and salt!
Ingredients
Instructions
Place raw macadamia nuts (or nuts that have been roasted at 300 °F for 10 minutes and then cooled to room temperature) and pinch of salt in a food processor and blend until a puree forms. Then simply use at once or store in the refrigerator.
That’s it!
If you want to add a little more texture to your nut butter, this recipe from Coconut Mama may be just the thing.
Ingredients
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until pureed, then refrigerate until nut butter solidifies.
Again, it’s as simple as that!
Once you’ve created your own homemade nut butter, you’re probably going to want to try it on anything and everything. And then you’re going to be so in love that you’ll crave even more delicious ways to make the most out of the fabulous macadamia nut.
Don’t worry.
We’ve got you covered with three recipes that showcase everything these buttery nuts have to offer.
If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional peanut butter cups, this recipe from Naomi Whittel may be just what you’re looking for.
Ingredients
Instructions
If you follow a vegan or gluten-free diet, then you’ll love this simple recipe from Vegetarian Gastronomy.
Ingredients
Instructions
Using a food processor or Vitamix, blend all ingredients until smooth. Then simply store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
As we were writing this article, we realized it just wouldn’t be right if we didn’t give a shout out to the perfect marriage that is white chocolate and macadamia nuts. So for those who can eat their own weight in white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, this pale and gluten-free recipe from Living Healthy with Chocolate is for you.
Ingredients
Instructions
If you’re looking for a frozen take on the raw macadamia nut butter experience, we have this recipe from Detoxinista.
Ingredients
Instructions
For those who are into a paleo, keto, and vegan experience, we offer up this final recipe from Tasty Yummies.
Ingredients
Instructions
Blend cashews, macadamia nuts, vanilla, and coconut butter in a Vitamix or food processor until smooth. Add salt and MCT oil, blend until incorporated, and then transfer to an airtight container.
As these recipes attest, making your own homemade macadamia nut butter couldn’t be easier. In fact, macadamia nuts are so easy to work with and combine flawlessly with so many different ingredients that it seems these tropical nuts have no downside.
But there are still a couple of things to keep in mind.
First, they’re expensive. What’s more, the same quality that makes them perfect for low-carb, paleo, and keto recipes—their high fat content—means they contain some of the highest calories of any nut. So even though healthy fats in macadamia nuts have been shown in studies to increase fat metabolism and reduce appetite, gorging by the spoonful may not be the wisest idea.
But if you’re looking to add a new and tasty nut butter to your regular rotation, macadamia nut butter can’t be beat. Whether used as a dip, spread, or even ice cream topper, we think this tropical nut butter may just become your new favorite food staple.