How To Make Cashew Nut Powder

Cashew nut powder is simply made by grinding raw or roasted cashew nuts into a fine, smooth flour that you can use in countless recipes.
 
It’s a simple process that takes just minutes, so as long as you have whole cashew nuts and a decent grinder, you can make cashew nut powder at home without any special equipment.
 
This homemade cashew nut powder is fresher than store-bought versions and you control exactly what goes in it.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make cashew nut powder, the best ways to store it, and how to use it in your everyday cooking.
 
Let’s get to it.

How to Make Cashew Nut Powder

Learning how to make cashew nut powder is straightforward, and here’s how the process works:

1. Choose Your Cashew Nuts

The first step in making cashew nut powder is picking the right cashew nuts.
 
You can use raw cashews or roasted cashews, depending on the flavor you want.
 
Raw cashews give you a neutral-tasting cashew nut powder that works in both sweet and savory dishes.
 
Roasted cashews give you a richer, nuttier powder with a deeper flavor.
 
Just make sure your cashew nuts are fresh, unsalted, and free of added oils or flavorings.
 
If your cashews have been sitting in the pantry for a while, smell them first.
 
Fresh cashews smell mildly sweet, while stale ones smell like old oil, and those won’t make good cashew nut powder.

2. Roast the Cashews (Optional)

You can skip this step and make cashew nut powder from raw cashews, but roasting adds flavor and makes grinding easier.
 
Spread your cashew nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast at 350°F (175°C) for about 8 to 10 minutes.
 
Stir them halfway through so they toast evenly, and pull them out when they’re golden and fragrant.
 
Let the cashews cool completely before grinding, because warm nuts release oil and can turn your cashew nut powder into cashew butter.

3. Grind the Cashews in Short Pulses

Now for the main step of making cashew nut powder, which is grinding.
 
Add the cooled cashew nuts to a food processor, blender, or spice grinder and pulse in short bursts.
 
Don’t just hold the button down, because continuous grinding heats the nuts and releases their natural oils.
 
Pulse a few times, scrape down the sides with a spatula, and repeat until you get a fine powder.
 
If you’re making a large batch of cashew nut powder, work in small batches so the blades grind everything evenly.
 
A high-speed blender gives the finest results, but a food processor works just fine for this.

4. Sift for a Finer Texture

For the smoothest cashew nut powder, sift it through a fine-mesh sieve after grinding.
 
Any larger pieces that don’t pass through go back into the grinder for another round of pulsing.
 
This extra step makes your cashew nut powder silky and even, which matters a lot in sauces and baked goods.

Tips to Keep Your Cashew Nut Powder from Turning into Butter

Cashews are high in fat, so there’s a fine line between powder and paste when you grind them.
 
Here’s how to stay on the powder side:

1. Freeze the Cashews Before Grinding

Chilled cashew nuts grind into a finer powder and resist turning oily.
 
Pop your cashew nuts in the freezer for about 15 minutes before making cashew nut powder.

2. Add a Little Starch if Needed

If your cashew nut powder keeps clumping, add one teaspoon of cornstarch or arrowroot powder per cup of cashews while grinding.
 
This absorbs excess oil and keeps the texture powdery.

3. Grind in Small Batches

Overfilling the grinder is the fastest way to end up with cashew butter instead of cashew nut powder.
 
Fill the bowl only halfway and give the machine room to work.

How to Store Cashew Nut Powder

Homemade cashew nut powder has no preservatives, so proper storage matters.
 
Keep your cashew nut powder in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place for up to two weeks.
 
For longer storage, keep it in the fridge for up to two months or in the freezer for up to six months.
 
Always use a dry spoon, since moisture is the enemy of any nut powder.
 
If your cashew nut powder starts to smell off or clump together, it’s time to toss it.

So, How Do You Make Cashew Nut Powder?

You make cashew nut powder by grinding raw or roasted cashews in short pulses until they turn into a fine flour, then sifting for a smoother texture.
 
Fresh nuts, short pulses, and proper storage are all it takes to keep your cashew nut powder light and powdery instead of oily.
 
Have fun making your own cashew nut powder at home.