Nut butters like peanut, almond or cashew can become hard and seize over time if they are exposed to air. You can fix this by mixing in warm oil, heating it in a warm water bath, adding warm water, blending or mixing in some warm honey.
This article will explore the top ways to fix seized nut butter at home. If you have hard peanut butter at home, try these simple hacks to fix it.
How to fix seized nut butter
Check out my favorite ways to fix seized nut butter at home. This will work with anything from peanut butter, hazelnut spread, cashew spread or almond butter.
1. Add oil
Adding a little oil, such as vegetable oil, olive oil, or almond oil, can help smooth out seized nut butter. If you warm the oil a little in the microwave it will be easier to mix through the nut butter. The warm oil will slightly melt the butter and make it easy to mix through.
This will give you a smooth butter in a few minutes.
2. Warm it in a water bath
Place the jar of nut butter in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes to soften the butter. You can then get a spoon or fork and start to mix the butter. It will start to soften on the edges and you can stir it towards the middle.
It is best to leave the lid on the nut butter container while it sits in the water bath. This will stop it falling over and water getting in the butter. You can continue to stir until the butter is smooth.
3. Mix in water
For nut butter that has become very hard it is best to add some extra water. Boil some water and gradually mix in a teaspoon of water to the nut butter. Do this one teaspoon at a time until it softens and reaches the desired consistency.
4. Blend it
Use a food processor or high-powered blender to blend the seized nut butter until it becomes smooth. You can add a small amount of oil or water to help to loosen the mix if you need. After a minute or two of blending the nut butter will be ready to use.
5. Add salt
Adding a pinch of salt can help improve the texture of seized nut butter. Combine this with some added warm water or oil and you will have smooth nut butter in no time. This will help to balance the flavor if you add extra oil.
6. Add vanilla extract
A few drops of vanilla extract can help mask the grainy texture of seized nut butter. Stir it with a spoon or fork to work it through. You might need to pop the jar in a water bath to make sure it is loose enough to mix the vanilla through.
7. Add a liquid sweetener
Adding a liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup can help loosen up the nut butter and make it smoother. This will give it a nice sweet flavor like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
8. Mix with a fork
Use a fork to break up the seized nut butter, stirring vigorously until it becomes smooth. If your nut butter has only hardened a small amount you might only need to give it a good stir.
Forks will work well for this because it will help to break up the butter. If this is not enough, add in a small teaspoon of warmed water or oil.
9. Microwave
Heat the nut butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 15-20 seconds to soften it up. Stir it with a fork or spoon until it loosens up. Warming the nut butter will help to soften it up and loosen it.
What causes peanut butter to cease up
Peanut butter is a common nut butter that can cease up over time.
Cold temperatures
putting your peanut butter in the fridge or freezer can cause it to become hard and seize. Let it come back to room temperature before using or warm it in a water bath to loosen it up.
Overheating
Overheating nut butters can cause them to become hard and seize. Warming it for too long in the microwave or on the stove can cause it to get hard, seize up and dry out. If you are heating your peanut butter add a dash of oil to stop it from seizing.
Leaving the lid off your peanut butter
Leaving the lid off of the peanut butter jar can cause it to seize up. Exposing it to air can cause it to lose moisture and dry out on top. Check out my list above for some simple ways to salvage it.
Using a dirty spoon or knife
Using dirty cutlery can introduce bacteria or fungi into your peanut butter. This growth can cause the peanut butter to seize. If you notice that the color, texture or smell of the peanut butter has changed then throw it out.
How to fix seized nut butter | Summary
Seized or hard nut butter can be fixed with some warm water or warmed oil. Sometimes all it needs is a good mix. Take a fork or spoon and see if you can loosen it up. If that is not enough, add some warm oil and try again. Move it to a warm water bath and stir again. This should be enough to get your peanut butter to soften.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.