How to Roast Almonds in the Oven

Last Updated: October 17, 2022 References

Roasted almonds are full of healthy fats, protein, and vitamin E. Whether you have a sweet tooth or prefer a bit of spice, you can roast almonds at home that are as delicious as they are easy to make. Gather the ingredients for the recipe that you choose—you can make plain, sweet, or spiced almonds depending on your tastes. Once you've prepared your almonds and put them in the oven, roasting almonds at home is simple and easy!

Ingredients

Dry-Roasted Raw Almonds

3 cups whole almonds
1 tbsp salt
1-2 tbsp olive oil (optional)
1 tbsp chili powder (optional)
1 tbsp cumin (optional)
1 tbsp coriander (optional)
1 tbsp cinnamon (optional)
1 tbsp pepper (optional)

Honey Roasted Almonds

2 cups whole almonds
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp water
A pinch of salt
1 tbsp cayenne powder (optional)

Cinnamon Almonds

4 cups whole almonds
1 egg white
1 tbsp water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup cinnamon
A pinch of salt

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Making Dry-Roasted Raw Almonds

1
Spread 3 cups of almonds on an ungreased baking sheet. Place a piece of parchment paper underneath the baking sheet for easy cleaning. Your baking sheet should only bake a single layer of almonds at a time. Preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C) and wait until it's heated to bake your almonds.^{[1]
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- Spray vegetable oil on the pan or grease the pan with butter before baking as an alternative.
- If you have more almonds than your baking sheet can hold, prepare another baking sheet.^{[2]
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2
Salt your almonds to give them flavor. The healthiest option is to bake almonds raw, without any seasonings or oils. But, if you'd prefer to salt your almonds, sprinkle 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of salt over the tops of the almonds before you put them in the oven.
- Make an optional spice mixture made of 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of chili powder, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, olive oil, and pepper to further flavor your almonds.
- Mix the chili powder, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and pepper in a small bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the almonds first, then sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the almonds.^{[3]
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3
Bake your almonds in the oven for 10-12 minutes. To check if your almonds are done, open your oven door and get a whiff of the oven. When your almonds are done roasting, they will turn golden brown and have a nutty, fragrant smell.^{[4]
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- Almonds that are just warm but not fully toasted will smell acrid and unpleasant.
4
Let your almonds cool for about 10-15 minutes. Because of their high oil content, almonds continue baking for about 10-15 minutes after they come out of the oven. Wait 15 minutes before you try the almonds for the best flavor and crunch.^{[5]
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5
Test an almond for its taste and crunch. Almonds that have finished roasting will taste toasted, not bitter. They will also have a distinct crunch. If your almonds taste a little bitter or do not have a crisp outer texture, put them back in the oven and try them again in 5 minutes.^{[6]
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6
Transfer your almonds to a bowl or plate. Sprinkle the almonds with a pinch of salt, if desired. Let the almonds cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes, then place them in a bowl or on a plate for serving.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Making Honey Roasted Almonds

1
Preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C). While your oven is preheating, spread 2 cups of almonds on a baking sheet. Place a square of parchment paper over the pan before you add the almonds to make cleaning the pan after baking easier.^{[7]
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- Spray vegetable oil on the pan or grease the pan with butter before baking if you don't have parchment paper.
- Spread the almonds over a single layer on the baking sheet. If your sheet is too small, use 2 sheets.
2
Mix 1/4 cup white sugar and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Continue mixing until the sugar and salt are evenly blended. Set the bowl aside, away from your prep space, until after you have cooked the almonds.^{[8]
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- For spiced honey almonds, add 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) cayenne powder to your sugar and salt mixture.^{[9]
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3
Bake your almonds in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Keep the oven closed while you bake so your almonds can cook quickly. Do not remove the almonds from the oven until they turn a golden brown color and have a strong nutty smell.
4
Stir 1/4 cup honey and 2 tablespoon (29.6 ml) water in a large saucepan. Turn your stove to medium heat and bring the saucepan to a boil. Add the almonds to the saucepan and stir the almonds continuously for 5 minutes as they absorb the liquid.^{[10]
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5
Transfer your almonds to your bowl of sugar mixture. Do not wait for your almonds to cool—the almonds need to be hot so the sugar can stick. Mix your almonds for about 2-3 minutes so they are evenly coated with the sugar.
6
Spread the almonds on parchment paper. Let them cool for about 30-40 minutes so the sugar can crystallize. When your almonds are dry and cool, serve them as desired or store them at room temperature.^{[11]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Baking Cinnamon Almonds

1
Preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C) and grease a baking sheet. Use butter or a vegetable oil spray so the almonds do not stick to your baking sheet as they cool. Set the baking sheet aside until you're ready to cook the almonds.^{[12]
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2
Lightly beat 1 egg white in a small bowl. Using a whisk, stir your egg white in a quick, circular motion. Slowly add 2 tablespoon (29.6 ml) water as you whisk the egg. Continue whipping your egg white until the consistency turns fluffy and soft.^{[13]
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- Separate your egg before beating it to completely remove the yolk.
3
Add the raw almonds to the bowl of egg whites. Stir the almonds into the beaten egg whites using a large spoon. Continue mixing the almonds until they are lightly coated in the egg whites.^{[14]
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4
Mix 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Continue stirring the mixture until the cinnamon and sugar are evenly blended. Spread your almonds over the baking sheet in a single layer, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the almonds.^{[15]
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5
Bake your almonds for 25-30 minutes. After 25 minutes have passed, open the oven to check on your almonds. When your almonds are finished baking, they should turn golden brown and have a sweet, nutty smell.
- If you prefer crunchier almonds, leave them in the oven for the full 30 minutes.
6
Cool your almonds on a baking rack for 10-15 minutes. Cinnamon almonds are often served hot. Serve them after 10 minutes have passed, while they are still warm, for the best flavor.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Do almonds burn in the oven?

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Private Chefs
Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collaborative comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience.

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Expert Answer

Yes, they do. If you are roasting sliced or slivered almonds, the color will change from almost white to a rich brown. In case you burn them, they will turn from brown to black, and will smell like charcoal.