Quick Verdict
The Ninja Professional Plus Blender is a decent option for making nut butters if you are willing to put in extra effort, but it falls short for frequent or high-volume use. It works best with softer nuts and when using the tamper and added oil.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender
$119.99
✓ Key Strengths
- •Powerful 1400-watt motor handles most nuts with adequate blending time
- •Included tamper helps push nuts into the blades, crucial for thick mixtures
- •72-ounce pitcher capacity suitable for large batches of nut butter
- •Affordable price point compared to high-end blenders like Vitamix
- •Auto-iQ presets can automate blending cycles, reducing manual effort
✗ Key Weaknesses
- •Blade design is not optimized for thick pastes; nuts can get stuck under blades
- •Lack of low-speed, high-torque setting requires frequent pulsing and scraping
- •Motor may overheat during prolonged nut butter blending, triggering thermal shutdown
- •Pitcher shape makes scraping difficult; product builds up on sides and bottom
What is Ninja Professional Plus Blender?
What is making nut butters from scratch?
Detailed Analysis
👍 Perfect For
- ✓Casual home cooks who make nut butter infrequently and are okay with some effort
- ✓Users who primarily blend smoothies and want a secondary use for occasional nut butter
- ✓Budget-conscious buyers who cannot justify spending $400+ on a premium blender
- ✓Those who prefer using roasted or softer nuts (peanuts, cashews) for easier blending
👎 Not Ideal For
- ✗Health enthusiasts who make nut butter weekly and demand perfectly smooth texture
- ✗Users who want a set-it-and-forget-it experience without constant monitoring
- ✗Those who primarily use hard raw nuts (almonds, macadamias) and need consistent results
Use Case Scenarios
Occasional Peanut Butter Maker
A home cook who makes peanut butter once a month from roasted peanuts, using about 2 cups at a time.
✓ Strengths
- Roasted peanuts blend easier than raw nuts
- Auto-iQ cycles can be used with tamper for hands-free work
- Large capacity allows batch making
✗ Weaknesses
- Requires constant scraping with tamper
- Small peanut pieces may remain if not blended long enough
💡 Workarounds
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of peanut oil to help blending
- Use the tamper to push peanuts down every 30 seconds
- Let blender rest 1 minute between cycles to avoid overheating
Roasted peanuts are forgiving, and the blender's power is sufficient. With manual effort, results are satisfactory for occasional use.
Weekly Almond Butter Enthusiast
A health-conscious user who makes almond butter every week from raw almonds, expecting a silky-smooth spread.
✓ Strengths
- Motor is powerful enough to eventually grind almonds with added oil
- Tamper helps but is less effective with dry mixture
✗ Weaknesses
- Takes a long time (15+ minutes) with constant intervention
- Result is often not smooth enough for demanding users
- Motor thermal protection may kick in, delaying process
💡 Workarounds
- Soak almonds overnight or roast them to soften
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil per cup of almonds
- Divide into smaller batches (1-2 cups max)
- Use the blender's pulse function in short bursts
The blender is not designed for heavy-duty grinding of hard nuts. The effort and time required, plus inconsistent results, make it a poor choice for weekly almond butter production.
Large Batch Party Prep
Someone making 4 cups of cashew butter for a party, needing smooth consistency in one go.
✓ Strengths
- Large capacity accommodates big batches
- Cashews blend more easily than almonds
✗ Weaknesses
- Motor may overheat with large batches
- Requires frequent scraping and cooling breaks
💡 Workarounds
- Process in two smaller batches to reduce load
- Add oil (coconut or cashew) to thin mixture
- Allow blender to cool for 5 minutes after 3 minutes of blending
Feasible but requires active monitoring and workarounds. Not the most efficient tool for large-batch nut butter.
Related Products You Should Consider
Vitamix 5200 Blender
$449.95
Why recommend: If you make nut butters regularly and demand perfect smoothness, the Vitamix 5200 is the gold standard.
Best for: Weekly nut butter makers who want a set-it-and-forget-it experience.
NutriBullet Pro 900 Series
$69.99
Why recommend: Good for individuals who want a compact option for occasional small-batch nut butter.
Best for: Single users or those who make small amounts of nut butter.
Ninja Mega Kitchen System (BL770)
$149.99
Why recommend: If you like the Ninja brand but want better nut butter performance, the Mega Kitchen System's processor bowl is superior.
Best for: Users who need a multi-function machine and frequently make nut butters with the processor.
Cuisinart Nut and Spice Grinder
$39.99
Why recommend: A budget-friendly dedicated tool for small-batch nut butter or nut flours.
Best for: Users who make nut butter in small amounts (1 cup or less) and want a compact, easy-to-clean device.
Hamilton Beach Professional Juicer Machine
$79.99
Why recommend: A complementary appliance for those who enjoy a variety of homemade healthy foods.
Best for: Health enthusiasts who want both nut butter and fresh juice capability.
OXO Good Grips Nut and Seed Grinder
$29.99
Why recommend: A manual, portable option for small amounts of nut butter or garnishes.
Best for: Campers, RV users, or those who want a backup manual tool.
Pyrex Glass Storage Containers (4-Pack)
$24.99
Why recommend: Essential for storing homemade nut butter safely and keeping it fresh.
Best for: Anyone making nut butter at home who wants durable, reusable storage.
Spatula Scraper Set (Silicone)
$9.99
Why recommend: Essential for efficiently transferring thick nut butter from blender to storage jars.
Best for: All nut butter makers who want to minimize waste and ease cleaning.
Vitamix Tamper (Stainless Steel)
$24.95
Why recommend: If you upgrade to a Vitamix in the future, this tamper is essential for nut butter.
Best for: Potential Vitamix buyers who want a complete nut butter setup.
Generic Blender Replacement Gasket
$6.99
Why recommend: Good to have as a spare for when the original gasket wears, common with nut butter usage.
Best for: Frequent nut butter makers who want to prolong blender life.
Bottom Line
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Ninja Professional Plus Blender make almond butter?
Yes, but with difficulty. Raw almonds require significant effort, frequent scraping, and added oil. Roasted almonds are easier. Expect a chunkier texture unless you blend for a long time. Many users recommend using the tamper and small batches.
Is the Ninja Professional Plus Blender good for peanut butter?
It works reasonably well for peanut butter, especially with roasted peanuts. The motor handles the load, and using the Auto-iQ smoothie preset with tamper yields smooth results in a few minutes. It is one of the easier nut butters to make in this blender.
How do you make nut butter in a Ninja blender?
Start with 2 cups of nuts (roasted recommended). Add 1-2 tablespoons of oil (coconut or nut oil). Use the tamper to push nuts towards blades. Blend on low speed, gradually increasing, or use the smoothie preset. Stop and scrape every 30 seconds. Total time: 3-10 minutes depending on nut hardness.
What's better for nut butter: Vitamix or Ninja Professional Plus?
The Vitamix is significantly better for nut butter. It has a more powerful motor, better blade design, variable speed control, and can handle raw almonds without added oil. The Ninja is a budget alternative but requires more effort and yields less consistent results.
Does the Ninja Professional Plus Blender overheat when making nut butter?
It can. The motor has thermal protection that may shut off if strained for too long. Frequent breaks are recommended. Using soft nuts and added oil reduces strain. Overheating is more common with thick mixtures like almond butter.
Can you make cashew butter in the Ninja Professional Plus?
Yes, cashew butter is easier than almond butter because cashews are softer. With a bit of oil and tamper use, you can achieve a smooth consistency. It usually takes 3-5 minutes.
Should I buy the Ninja Professional Plus just for nut butter?
No. If nut butter is your primary use, invest in a dedicated nut butter machine or a high-end blender like Vitamix. The Ninja is better as an all-purpose blender where nut butter is an occasional use.
What are the best alternatives to the Ninja Professional Plus for nut butter?
Top alternatives include the Vitamix 5200 for premium performance, the Ninja Mega Kitchen System for better nut butter with its processor bowl, and the Cuisinart Nut and Spice Grinder for small batches. Each has trade-offs in price and capacity.
Does adding oil help make nut butter in the Ninja blender?
Yes. Adding a small amount of neutral oil like coconut or grapeseed oil (1-2 tbsp per cup of nuts) helps lubricate the blades and prevents the mixture from getting stuck. It also helps achieve a creamier texture.
Can I use the Ninja Professional Plus to make nut butter from frozen nuts?
It's not recommended. Frozen nuts are harder and can damage the blades or motor. Always use thawed or roasted nuts for best results.
How do I clean the Ninja blender after making nut butter?
Fill the pitcher halfway with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Run the blender on the 'Clean' cycle (if available) or pulse a few times. Rinse well. Nut butter residue can be sticky, so a thorough soak may be needed. Use a bottle brush for the gasket area.
What is the warranty on the Ninja Professional Plus Blender?
Ninja typically offers a 1-year limited warranty. Some retail channels provide extended warranties. Check with the seller for details. For heavy nut butter making, the motor may wear faster, so consider an extended warranty.