Cinnamon roasted almonds. You all know them by the intoxicating smell that completely overtakes you at fairs, craft shows, football games, malls or wherever the dang things are sold. All you need is 7 bucks for a tiny little cone. I could argue that it’s worth every penny, especially when they are still hot and fresh. How long it takes: 5 minutes to prep, about an hour in the oven Equipment you’ll need: sheet pan, mixing bowl Servings: makes 3 cups That’s all well and good but they are definitely a special treat. Encrusted in sugar, they are a caloric splurge, maybe well worth it, but a splurge nonetheless. With this sugar free recipe, I take that same great cinnamon flavor but show the sugar to the door. These almonds have that same phenomenal warm cinnamon scent and they make your house smell just amazing. But hey, let’s keep almonds as they naturally are: a healthy and filling snack that you can feel great about. They are a perfect pick-me-up for that 3:00 lull in the afternoon when you want to put your head down for a little nap… Almonds are very portable, too, which makes them a good lunchbox or backpack snack. And a charcuterie board isn’t complete without a little bowl of nuts! Cinnamon almonds go great with a vanilla bourbon fizz or an apple cider mule!
About This Recipe
The best part about these almonds? They’re super easy to make!! Toss the raw almonds with frothy egg white and then sprinkle on cinnamon, salt, and a touch of nutmeg to make things interesting (and because I love nutmeg). Give them a nice long toasty time in a slow oven and enjoy the fabulous smell.
What You’ll Need
Raw Whole Almonds: Choose almonds that have not been roasted or blanched. They are shelled but still have the thin brown skin. You’ll need about 3 cups or 16 ounces. Egg White: The egg white helps the cinnamon stick onto the almonds. Cinnamon: You’ll need a tablespoon of ground cinnamon. Nutmeg: Optional, but try it! Nutmeg adds a bit of uniqueness to the cinnamon almonds. Pinch of Salt: Just a little salt keeps the nuts from tasting bland.
How To Make This Recipe
Begin by turning your oven on to preheat. The almonds roast at a low temperature, just 250°F. A slow oven ensures that the nuts are roasted all the way through without scorching the outside. The bonus is that you get to enjoy that great smell wafting through the house while they bake. Next, prepare a baking pan. You’ll need a large rimmed baking pan, 18 x 13 inches (a sheet pan). Line it with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat. In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk the egg white and a teaspoon of cold water until the mixture is frothy. Another way to describe it is foamy. The egg white will increase in volume and have lots of small foamy bubbles. Add the almonds and stir lightly to coat them with the egg white. Sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt and stir well. Spread the almonds on the prepared baking pan and pop the pan into the oven. Bake them for one hour, stirring three to four times to make sure the nuts roast evenly. Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely before storing them. Don’t rush the cooling process because any leftover heat in an airtight container produces condensation which will make your almonds get soggy or spoil.
Storage Tips
Store the almonds in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. A clean recycled jar works perfectly. Roasted almonds will keep for a couple of weeks on the counter or a few months in the refrigerator. You can freeze them for up to a year although they really taste best freshly roasted. If you have a windfall of raw almonds, I would suggest freezing them raw and then roasting them as you need them. Cinnamon almonds make a great gift! Just tie a ribbon or fancy string around the jar and/or put a pretty label on it.
More Crunchy Snacks
I have lots of crunchy nut snacks and a few non-nut crunchies too. Try these delicious recipes:
Spiced pecans Sweet and spicy candied bourbon pecans Vanilla bean candied walnuts Air fryer chickpeas – perfectly crispy! Cinnamon roasted chickpeas Air fryer zucchini chips Puppy chow aka Muddy Buddies Homemade Cheez-Its (cheddar cheese crackers) Honey sesame roasted almonds from A Couple Cooks
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