Q&A for How to Crush Peanuts

It's easy to make peanut butter at home, you just need a little preparation to make sure the peanuts are clean and then you can process or blend them to the desired consistency. For full step-by-step instructions, check out the wikiHow: How to Make Peanut Butter .

Peanut powder can be made by adding clean peanuts to the food processor and processing them until they turn into a powder. If you don't have a food processor, you can crush the peanuts to powder form in a mortar and pestle, although this will take a while, especially if you have to do it in several batches. Roasting peanuts before turning them into a powder is another option; this is especially good if using the powder for Asian cuisine recipes.

Crushed peanuts can be used as a topping for desserts like ice cream sundae and plain ice cream. They can be used as a topping on savory dishes; for example, many Thai and Vietnamese dishes add a sprinkling of crushed peanuts to complete the flavor profile of a dish. You could also use crushed peanuts for baking, either as part of the cake or cookie batter or as a topping on cakes, slices, energy bars, etc. If you make chocolates or candies, crushed peanuts are the ideal size for adding if you're making peanut-flavored versions, such as peanut truffles.

Once crushed, peanuts should be used as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration in quality and flavor. If you need to store them, place inside a resealable bag or airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for a few days prior to use or freeze up to a month if you need longer storage time. It is always best to crush the peanuts just prior to use, for optimal flavor and nutrient benefits.