These versatile Vanilla Almonds are coated with sugary goodness and are perfect for holiday and hostess gifts or just splendid snack food!

Serve Candied Almonds with cocktails, on game day, or use in salads for some delicious crunch! You’ll love this easy, versatile recipe.

Vanilla Almonds in a white bowl

Why You Must Make

Apparently, there was a running joke on my mom’s side of the family when Christmas would roll around. One year, my dad raved about the smokehouse almonds my grandfather shared with us on one of our annual visits to North Dakota. From then on, all family members got a gallon-sized tin of said nuts. Year after year. So when I knew my aunt and uncle were going to accompany us on our RV adventure across America (well, maybe just 3 states…but Nebraska has to count as at least one and a half!), I knew I had to bring some almonds along.

  • Sweet, crunchy almonds flavored with a nice dose of vanilla and cinnamon. These sugared cinnamon almonds are crack in nut form.
  • They’re addictive.
  • These sugared almonds make great hostess and holiday gifts. They’re also wonderful for cocktail parties and game day munching.
Overhead view of vanilla almonds in a white serving bowl.

Expert Tips

These candied vanilla almonds are so simple to whip up. There’s no excuse not to give them a whirl! Here are a few tips to help you make these vanilla almonds:

  • This recipe can easily be doubled, but you may need some extra baking sheets. I like using rimmed quarter sheet pans so that the nuts are contained.
  • These candied almonds make terrific gifts. I gave them to my book club for Christmas this year.
  • I used my stand mixer to make a double batch. The large bowl made it easy to coat the almonds in the whipped egg whites.
  • Make sure your bowl and beaters are super clean as any bit of oil or grease will prevent the egg whites from whipping properly.
  • Spread the almonds on a foil-lined baking sheet as they will adhere to the pan, and be hard to remove if you omit this step.
  • Make sure each almond is separated from the others as you place them on the baking sheet unless you prefer clumps of almonds.
  • Stir and release the almonds from the foil at the halfway mark. Flipping them will ensure both sides get browned.
  • If given as gifts, it’s easy to scoop the cooled nuts into cellophane bags and tie them with a pretty ribbon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Store Candied Nuts?

Once your almonds are cooled, store them at room temperature in a sealed container. They will stay fresh for up to a month.

You can also store your spiced nuts in the freezer in a Ziploc freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible to minimize any condensation as they defrost. They will keep fresh for 3 months or longer.

Are Candied Almonds Gluten-Free?

This simple recipe for vanilla almonds is gluten-free. Almonds, Egg Whites, Sugar, Salt, Cinnamon, and Vanilla are all gluten-free. There may be recipes for or packages of candied nuts that have ingredients that contain gluten. Always read the labels or inquire about the recipe if this is a concern.

Can I Make These Candied Nuts with Other Nuts?

Yes, you can use any of your favorite nuts or even use mixed nuts. Just use the same measurement of your nut selection as the almonds in the recipe.

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Vanilla Almonds in a small white bowl

Vanilla Almonds Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Yield 4 cups

Sugar coated vanilla almonds are perfect for holiday or hostess gifts!

Ingredients

  • 2 egg whites, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla
  • 4 cups unblanched almonds
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½-1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300º.
  2. In a large bowl, beat egg whites till frothy. Mix in vanilla, then toss in almonds. Stir gently to coat.
  3. In another bowl, combine the sugars, salt, and cinnamon. Add to nuts and gently toss to cover almonds.
  4. Spread evenly into two foil-covered sheet pans.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking time.
  6. Allow to cool, then store in an airtight container.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 244Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 312mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 8g

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