Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

| 11 Comments |

5 from 12 votes

Jump to Recipe | Updated: | by Nora

Candied Almonds are the perfect treat to share with friends and neighbors for the holidays! They are easy to make at home and come out perfectly delicious every time.

Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (1)

Candied almonds are my kryptonite – I could eat an entire batch by myself, and then some. There’s just something about the combination of roasted almonds, sugar and cinnamon that’s absolutely irresistible.

They can be quite pricey, but the good news is: They are very easy to make at home, and they’re definitely cheaper to make than to buy! Such a great treat for the holiday season, or to give away as a little appreciation gift to spread some festive Christmas cheer.

Please note: I changed this recipe on 12/13/2020 from the one I originally published in 2014. If you’re looking for the old recipe (made on the stove without egg whites), print it here.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (2)

Ingredient notes

  • Nuts: I have always made this recipe with unhulled whole almonds, but I’ve seen people make it with slivered or sliced almonds, too. The recipe also works with mixed nuts, cashews, pecans, walnuts… If that’s what you prefer!
  • Egg white: This is definitely needed here to help the sugar coating stick to the nuts. If you need an egg-free recipe, check out my old recipe made on the stove without eggs here.
  • Cocoa powder: You can leave this one out if you don’t have it on hand, it just helps with the color of the candied almonds.
  • Vanilla: If you don’t have any vanilla extract on hand, use the same amount of water. It won’t add flavor, but you need this touch of liquid to help the sugar dissolve.

How to make Candied Almonds

Start by whisking the egg white and vanilla together until smooth. Add the almonds and toss until they’re all coated with egg white (1).

Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (3)

Next, combine both sugars, the cinnamon, cocoa powder and the salt in a separate small bowl (2).

Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (4)

Add the dry mixture to the bowl with the almonds and toss until they’re all evenly coated. Spread the almonds on a lined baking sheet (3).

Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (5)

Bake the almonds at 250°F for 45 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes.

Finally, turn up the heat to 360°F and finish baking them for 10-15 minutes. Watch them closely, they burn easily in the end!

Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (6)

Let the almonds cool on the baking sheet. Break them apart and store them in an airtight container once they’re fully cooled.

Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (7)

Recipe tips

  • Make sure to evenly coat the almonds first with egg white, then with the sugar mixture. That way you’ll get an even glaze on all the nuts.
  • Careful when stirring the nuts during the baking time, then oven is on a lower temperature but it’s still hot. Use oven gloves and be cautious if you have young kids or pets around.
  • Watch the almonds closely for the last 10 minutes of baking, after increasing the oven temperature. They burn if you bake them for too long.
  • Let the almonds cool completely before packing them up to help them retain their crunchiness.
Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (8)

Storage tips

Keep the cooled nuts in an airtight jar or container at room temperature. I recommend eating the nuts within a week for the best taste and texture.

More homemade candy

  • Easy Cookie Butter Fudge
  • No-Bake Peppermint Bark Oreo Balls
  • No Bake Oreo Truffles (Oreo Balls)
  • Orange and Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds

PSIf you try this recipe, please leavea review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along onPinterest,FacebookorInstagram.

Please note: I changed this recipe on 12/13/2020 from the one I originally published in 2014. If you’re looking for the old recipe (made on the stove without egg whites), print it here.

Printable recipe

Printable Recipe Card

Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (13)

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Candied Almonds

Candied Almonds are the perfect treat to share with friends and neighbors for the holidays! They are easy to make at home and come out perfectly delicious every time.

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

5 from 12 votes

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Recipe details

Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 1 hour hr

Total 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings 20 servings

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg white
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups almonds
  • ½ cup light brown sugar packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon unsweetened cacao powder
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt or less to taste

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 250°F and line a rimmed baking sheet.

  • Whisk egg white and vanilla extract together in a large bowl, then add the almonds and toss to coat.

  • Combine both sugars, cinnamon, cacao powder and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the almonds and toss to coat.

  • Spread almonds on prepared baking sheet and bake in the hot oven for 45 minutes, carefully stirring once every 10-15 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 360°F and finish baking the almonds for 10-15 minutes (watch them closely, do not overbake or they may burn!).

  • Let almonds cool on the baking sheet. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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Notes

Ingredient notes

  • Nuts: I have always made this recipe with unhulled whole almonds, but I’ve seen people make it with slivered or sliced almonds, too. The recipe also works with mixed nuts, cashews, pecans, walnuts… If that’s what you prefer!
  • Egg white: This is definitely needed here to help the sugar coating stick to the nuts. If you need an egg-free recipe, check out my old recipe made on the stove without eggs here.
  • Cocoa powder: You can leave this one out if you don’t have it on hand, it just helps with the color of the candied almonds.
  • Vanilla: If you don’t have any vanilla extract on hand, use the same amount of water. It won’t add flavor, but you need this touch of liquid to help the sugar dissolve.

Recipe tips

  • Make sure to evenly coat the almonds first with egg white, then with the sugar mixture. That way you’ll get an even glaze on all the nuts.
  • Careful when stirring the nuts during the baking time, then oven is on a lower temperature but it’s still hot. Use oven gloves and be cautious if you have young kids or pets around.
  • Watch the almonds closely for the last 10 minutes of baking, after increasing the oven temperature. They burn if you bake them for too long.
  • Let the almonds cool completely before packing them up to help them retain their crunchiness.

Storage tips

Keep the cooled nuts in an airtight jar or container at room temperature. I recommend eating the nuts within a week for the best taste and texture.

Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (14)
About Nora
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me! Learn more.

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Comments

  1. DJE says

    Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (17)
    Love this recipe now that I’m limited in no gluten or dairy/milk. This is so simple and delicious, I love a good sweet snack. Tried this with pecans and I think that’s my favorite, holds on to the sugar even better than almonds

    Reply

    • Nora says

      Candied pecans are delicious for sure! Glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply

  2. Carol says

    Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (18)
    Excellent and so easy!
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad, Carol!

      Reply

  3. Maricel says

    Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (19)
    These are great recipe! Easy and delicious. Thanks Nora for sharing your recipe.

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad, Maricel! And thank YOU for trusting in my recipe, I couldn’t do this without all of my amazing readers!

      Reply

  4. Joy says

    Best I’ve ever made! And better than the “mall” hands down.

    Reply

  5. Colleen LOWE says

    Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (20)
    Very tasty

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad!

      Reply

  6. Amallia @DesireToEat says

    Congratulation Nora, Boy or Girl? So cute….tiny little feet.:-)

    Reply

    • Nora says

      Thank you Amallia! Girl 😀 I can’t stop looking at her cute feet 🙂

      Reply

Easy Candied Almonds Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

FAQs

How to make candied nuts not sticky? ›

The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts. How do you fix candied nuts that are too soft and sticky? You can place them back into the oven for 5 to 15 minutes or until they dry out more. They will continue to firm and dry out as they cool.

What is another name for candied almonds? ›

Jordan almonds, also known as sugared almonds, dragées or confetti are sugar-coated almond candies.

What are candied almonds made of? ›

Combine sugar, water, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Add almonds; cook and stir mixture until liquid evaporates and leaves a syrupy coating on almonds. Pour almonds onto the prepared baking sheet; use two forks to separate clumps and spread into an even layer.

Why are my candied walnuts soft? ›

Let the candied nuts cool for at least 20 minutes or until completely cool. You don't want to package warm nuts or the moisture will cause condensation which will soften the candy coating.

Why are my candied almonds chewy? ›

Again, you likely didn't bake the almonds for long enough. The almonds will also be slightly soft when they're still warm, so if you've sampled them before they've cooled completely to room temperature wait a little longer before eating them.

Why are my candied almonds sticky? ›

Why are my candied nuts wet and sticky? They were not baked long enough or they were not baked at the correct heat temperature. Another reason could be that they they were not spread out properly in the tray to allow even baking.

What do 5 almonds mean at a wedding? ›

"Italians traditionally package these candied almonds in bunches of five to represent wishes of health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity," she says. For some, the five almonds also symbolize a number that can't be divided into two, just like the bond formed by a newly married couple.

What does 5 sugared almonds mean? ›

If you want to be faithful to wedding traditions, the sugared almond wedding favours for each of the guests must contain five almonds representing each of the couple's wishes: love, health, happiness, fertility, and long life together.

What is the Old English word for almond? ›

Late Old English had amygdales, "almonds". The adjective amygdaloid (literally 'like an almond') is used to describe objects which are roughly almond-shaped, particularly a shape which is part way between a triangle and an ellipse.

Do candied almonds go bad? ›

How long do candied almonds last? These last for up to 1 week at room temperature, 2 weeks in the refrigerator, and 2 months in the freezer.

What is the shelf life of candied almonds? ›

Quick: they take just 5 minutes to prep, and the rest of the time is spent in the oven. As a bonus, these candied almonds will make your house smell AMAZING while they bake! Long shelf life: up to 2 months in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer.

Why are my candied nuts grainy? ›

Either you used raw nuts, or you added them before the sugar had a chance to fully caramelize. Why is the sugar all crystallized and grainy looking? It means that the sugar has crystallized before caramelizing.

Why do my walnuts taste funny? ›

Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.

Why are my candied nuts wet? ›

If your candied pecans are sticky, it is likely because the sugar syrup coating has not completely hardened. The syrup may still be wet, or it may have started to crystalize. If the syrup is still wet, you can try putting the nuts in the oven for a few minutes to help the syrup harden.

Why are my pecans sticky? ›

The real culprits behind the honeydew are aphids. Aphids are soft-bodied insects that suck sap from plant leaves. Many species of aphids exist and attack various plants, but two types of aphids attack pecan trees and secrete honeydew, the yellow pecan aphid and the black-margined aphid.

How do you fix soggy nuts? ›

Spread the stale snacks out on a cookie sheet and place in a 350o F oven. Let them bake for about 10 minutes and then remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cooled the snacks should be crispy and refreshed. You can use this method with fresh nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts, etc.

How do you get moisture out of nuts? ›

You Can Dry Nuts/Seeds in the Oven

Set your oven to the lowest temperature possible. Dry nuts for 30 minutes to 1 hour on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Remove a nut/seed, cool it and taste.

How do you crisp soggy nuts? ›

The simplest way to revive a stale nut is by dry roasting or toasting it in a pan over a medium heat.

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