Candied Almonds Recipe

If you grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, you know that the mall was the place to hang out. Even before we could drive, our parents were dropping us off at the mall for several hours each weekend.

The Christmas season was always the best: the decorations, watching families wait in line for photos with Santa, and the heavenly aroma of candied nuts wafting through the air.

There was usually an assortment of nuts to choose from, with candied pecans being the most popular and almonds coming in second. And they were always packaged in those cute little cones!

The smell of freshly roasted candied nuts has a way of unlocking core adolescent memories for many of us.

My dad loves any type of nut—cashews, pecans, macadamias—he’ll pretty much enjoy anything you put in front of him, but almonds are probably his favorite. As you can imagine, these sugary, cinnamon almonds are his version of snack-time bliss.

Whether you still have a mall in your area or not, you can easily make those classic candied almonds at home. The process is simple, and as a delightful bonus, the sweet blend of vanilla and almonds will fill your home with an amazing scent.

Trust me, after one whiff of this cinnamon-and-vanilla goodness, your family will be drawn to the kitchen, eagerly waiting for these delicious treats to cool down enough to start munching on.

How to Make Candied Almonds

Although you might be used to snacking on these candied almonds while doing your holiday shopping, they are incredibly easy to make at home. They’re perfect for parties or as a thoughtful hostess gift.

They’re also fantastic on top of a salad, such as a strawberry salad with spinach and arugula!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe requires minimal ingredients—you probably have many of them already. You’ll need:

• 1 large egg white
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 pound whole almonds
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

When purchasing almonds, look for ones that are not labeled as “raw” but ensure they are unseasoned (not salted).

Since we will only be using the egg white, you will have an egg yolk leftover; consider using it in a batch of chocolate chip cookie bars.

We’re incorporating a full teaspoon of fine sea salt into this recipe. This helps prevent the nuts from tasting overly sweet without adding a salty flavor.

If you prefer sweeter almonds, feel free to reduce the salt to 1/2 teaspoon or even 1/4 teaspoon.

If you’re aiming for a vegan version, try substituting pecans for almonds in a maple roasted pecans recipe.

Making This Recipe

These candied almonds will roast at a low temperature, so preheat your oven to 250°F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the egg white, vanilla, and water. Whisk vigorously or use an electric mixer to beat until frothy, then stir in the almonds.

Whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt, then mix this into the almond mixture, ensuring every nut is evenly coated.

Spread the almonds evenly on the prepared baking sheet, and don’t be concerned if they look a bit wet—the oven will take care of that.

Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. After an hour, allow the candied almonds to cool completely before enjoying.

Storage and Gifting Tips

After the candied almonds have cooled completely, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 weeks.

Their long shelf life means you can easily prepare them ahead of your holiday parties or family gatherings—just try not to eat them all beforehand!

They also make excellent gifts. Simply fill a pretty jar with almonds and tie it with a ribbon for a charming hostess gift this holiday season.

For an even more delightful gift, pair a jar of these almonds with homemade peppermint marshmallows, marshmallow cream fudge, saltine toffee, and rum balls in a beautiful basket.

Candied Almond Recipe Variations

You can definitely swap out the nuts in this recipe with your own favorites like pecans, cashews, or walnuts.

There are plenty of ways to switch things up, too!

If you prefer sweeter flavors, consider reducing the salt amount for a sweeter experience.

Additionally, you can experiment with different spice blends instead of cinnamon, such as pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or a chai spice blend for added warmth.

Using brown sugar instead of granulated sugar can also create a slightly different flavor profile.

No matter how you choose to make them, these candied almonds are sure to become a yearly favorite!