Easy Candied Almonds

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These Easy Candied Almonds only contain 5 ingredients and are made on the stovetop in 15 minutes flat! They’re the perfect salad topper or snack! Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free & paleo-friendly!

Overhead view of easy candied almonds in a bowl

I’m a firm believer that every salad needs a little nutty crunch to make it truly great.

Enter these Easy Candied Almonds! They are made with only 5 ingredients in 15 minutes and are the perfect sweet and salty addition to any and every bowl of leafy greens!

I have made this recipe more times than I can count, because we eat a lot of salad around here! My all-time favorite salad topper are these candied pecans, however I don’t always have a full hour to get food on the table {can anyone else relate}?!

So when it’s time for salad now, these Easy Candied Almonds are the perfect recipe to have in your tool belt! They are also super healthy! We’re talking gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan AND paleo-friendly! A great way to add a delicious dash of protein and splash of pizazz to any salad!

Overhead view of the ingredients assembled to make easy candied almonds

 How to make Easy Candied Almonds

I wanted to share a few notes about making this recipe with you to help ensure your candied-nut-making success!

1. Stir…a lot. 

{Is it strange that when I read that heading I though of Sir Mix A Lot and then started singing “Baby Got Back?” Yes, ok let’s move on}. These Easy Candied Almonds need to be stirred pretty constantly to keep them from burning. Use a wooden spatula (like the one pictured below) or a regular spatula and flip the nuts over as you stir!

2. Watch them carefully.

These nuts go from uncooked to burnt in the blink of an eye. Do not walk away from the pan! It takes a little while for them to start browning, but once it starts it happens very quickly!

Overhead view collage of easy candied almonds. The picture on the left shows the almonds right after the dry ingredients have been added. The photo on the right shows them in the pan at the end of the cooking time.

3. Cool Completely. 

These almonds get crunchier as they cool! Pour them onto a large baking sheet so they can cool completely before breaking them apart to enjoy or store for later! I recommend lining your baking sheet with waxed paper for easy removal, unless your pan is very seasoned!

4. How to store candied nuts

Store these at room temperature for up to 4 days. If they loose their crunchiness easily restore it by tossing them in a frying pan for a minute or two or in the oven turned to warm and let them cool again!

Serving suggestions: 

Overhead view of easy candied almonds cooling on a baking sheet

 Easy Candied Almonds: Substitutions 

There are a few substitutions that can be made in this recipe with great results!

  • Slivered almonds. I have literally used every nut under the sun to make this recipe, always with amazing results! My favorites are sliced almonds, pecans and cashews! YUM! If you do choose to substitute nuts I recommend starting by using 1 cup and adding more if necessary. Some other nuts soak up the coconut oil more than slivered almonds!
  • Coconut oil. Butter or ghee can be used in place of coconut oil with delicious results!
  • Granulated Sugar. I usually use organic cane sugar, but coconut sugar can be used for a paleo option! Really any granulated sugar of your choice will work wonderfully!

Side view of easy candied almonds in a bowl

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Easy Candied Almonds

Laura
These Easy Candied Almonds only contain 5 ingredients and are made on the stovetop in 15 minutes flat! They're the perfect salad topper or snack! Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free & paleo-friendly! 
5 from 4 votes
Course Dessert, Salad, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 85.5
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Cooling Time30 minutes
Total Time15 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Line a baking sheet with waxed paper, set aside.
  • In a small bowl mix together sugar, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
  • In a small fry pan (https://amzn.to/2GNKIfl) over medium heat, melt the coconut oil.
  • Add slivered almonds and stir until they are all coated with the coconut oil.
  • Add dry ingredients and stir until evenly distributed.
  • Cook for 5-7 minutes over medium heat, stirring every minute, until almonds are golden-brown.
  • Once all the almonds are browned, pour them onto the prepared baking sheet and spread them into one even layer.
  • Allow nuts to cool to room temperature (they will crisp up as they cool).
  • Once cooled, break them apart and enjoy on top of a salad or as a yummy snack!
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature!

Nutrition

Calories: 85.5kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.7g | Protein: 2.5g | Fat: 7g | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 1.4g | Sugar: 2.4g | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Front view of easy candied almonds in a glass jar with a gold top being held in a hand

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5 from 4 votes

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6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Used this for a spinach salad that included candied almonds. The family loved them: I caught my nephew eating them all by themselves (had to smack his hand). The best part is the cinnamon; most recipes don’t include it or ask for too much: this recipe had just the right amount to make it interesting but not overwhelming.

  2. 5 stars
    Will this work with whole almonds? Just found your recipe and see what a beautiful life that you live.
    Thank you for this wholesome and delicious recipe.
    God keep you blessed๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ’–

  3. 5 stars
    This recipe has the perfect amount of sugar and salt. Yes, definitely watch them! I cooked for 5~ and they burnt a little on me. Still super good!! Will put this in my recipe arsenal ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Candied almonds are SOOOO good. I love how they just make almonds that much more delicious. It’s so true that you have to watch them carefully, because they are pretty easy to burn, but yours look delightful!