Maple Almond Butter with Chia, Flax and Hemp Seeds

Prep: 20 minCook: 20 minmediumAmerican
Maple Almond Butter with Chia, Flax and Hemp Seeds

This homemade nut butter combines roasted almonds and sunflower seeds with nutrient-dense chia, flax, and hemp seeds for a protein-packed spread with a subtle maple sweetness. The mixture is roasted until fragrant, then blended until smooth and creamy. Perfect for toast, smoothie bowls, or eating straight from the jar, this superfood butter offers more texture and nutrition than standard almond butter while maintaining that rich, nutty flavor everyone loves.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw almonds
  • ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
    pumpkin seeds1:1Provides similar crunch and mild nutty flavor

    medium

    Full guide →
  • 2 tablespoons flax seeds
  • 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
    honey1:1Honey provides similar sweetness

    high

    Full guide →
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder
    vanilla bean powder1:2Use half the amount of vanilla bean powder for more intense flavor

    high

    Full guide →
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
    sea salt1:1Any coarse salt works well for texture and flavor enhancement

    high

    Full guide →

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 300°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper

  2. 2

    Mix almonds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, and maple syrup in a large bowl until nuts and seeds are coated

  3. 3

    Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until nuts smell roasted and are lightly browned

  4. 4

    Remove from oven and cool for about 10 minutes until cool enough to handle

  5. 5

    Process mixture in food processor or high-powered blender for 5 to 10 minutes, stopping to scrape bowl every 30-60 seconds, until mixture is very drippy and smooth

  6. 6

    Add vanilla and salt, then blend again until smooth and combined

  7. 7

    Pour into glass jar for storage

Tips

Tip 1

Stop the processor frequently to scrape down sides and prevent overheating the motor during blending

Tip 2

The mixture will go through stages from chopped to paste to smooth butter - be patient as it can take up to 10 minutes

Tip 3

Store in a glass jar rather than plastic to prevent the oils from absorbing unwanted flavors

Good to Know

Storage

Keep at cool room temperature for 1 month or in refrigerator for up to 3 months

Make Ahead

Can be made up to 3 months in advance and stored in refrigerator

Serve With

Serve at room temperature for easiest spreading consistency

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't skip the roasting step or the flavor will be flat and one-dimensional

Watch

Avoid over-processing which can cause the mixture to separate and become oily

Substitutions

maple syrup
honey1:1Honey provides similar sweetness

high

Full guide →
vanilla extract
vanilla bean powder1:2Use half the amount of vanilla bean powder for more intense flavor

high

Full guide →
kosher salt
sea salt1:1Any coarse salt works well for texture and flavor enhancement

high

Full guide →
sunflower seeds
pumpkin seeds1:1Provides similar crunch and mild nutty flavor

medium

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I make this without roasting the nuts and seeds first?

Yes, but roasting develops much deeper flavor and aroma. Raw versions will taste flatter and less complex than the roasted version.

What if my food processor isn't powerful enough to make smooth butter?

Add 1-2 teaspoons of neutral oil to help the blending process. You can also try processing smaller batches for better results.

How long will this homemade almond butter keep fresh?

Store at room temperature for up to 1 month or refrigerate for up to 3 months in an airtight glass container.