How To Make Slivered Almonds

Making slivered almonds is easy, and all you need are whole almonds, a pot of boiling water, and a sharp knife.
 
I promise it’s simpler than it sounds, and once you learn how to make slivered almonds at home, you might never buy the store-bought bag again.
 
Freshly slivered almonds taste nuttier, and you get to control exactly how thin or thick you want them.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make slivered almonds step by step, plus a few tips to make the process faster and safer.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

How to Make Slivered Almonds: The Simple Process

Learning how to make slivered almonds comes down to three basic stages: blanching, drying, and slicing.
 
Here’s how each stage works so your homemade slivered almonds come out perfect every time.
 

1. Blanch the Almonds First

The first step in how to make slivered almonds is blanching, because the skin needs to come off before you slice.
 
Bring a pot of water to a boil and drop in your raw almonds.
 
Let them boil for about one minute, no longer, or they’ll turn soft and mushy.
 
Drain them right away and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
 
Then pinch each almond between your fingers, and the skin should slip right off.
 
If you’re making slivered almonds in bulk, this part takes a little patience, but it’s worth it.
 

2. Dry Them Completely

Here’s the step people skip when making slivered almonds, and it’s the one that matters most.
 
Wet almonds are slippery and dangerous to slice.
 
Spread the blanched almonds on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat them dry.
 
Let them air dry for at least an hour, or speed things up by toasting them in a 200°F oven for about 10 minutes.
 
Dry almonds slice cleanly into slivered almonds, while damp ones squish and tear.
 

3. Slice Them Into Slivers

Now comes the fun part of how to make slivered almonds: the slicing.
 
Grab a sharp knife and a cutting board, and steady each almond on its flat side.
 
Slice lengthwise, cutting each almond into thin, even strips.
 
That’s really all there is to making slivered almonds by hand, though a mandoline slicer can speed things up if you’re doing a big batch.
 

Tips for Making Slivered Almonds Perfectly

Once you know how to make slivered almonds, a few small habits keep your results consistent and your fingers safe.
 
Here are the tips I wish someone had told me before my first batch of slivered almonds.
 

1. Start With Raw, Whole Almonds

The best slivered almonds start with raw, whole almonds, not roasted or salted ones.
 
Roasted almonds are brittle after blanching and tend to crumble instead of slicing cleanly.
 
Raw almonds hold their shape, so making slivered almonds from them gives you those neat, uniform strips you’re after.
 

2. Use a Sharp Knife and a Steady Hand

A dull knife is the enemy of good slivered almonds.
 
It slips on the almond’s smooth surface and crushes the nut instead of cutting it.
 
Take your time, keep your fingers curled back, and let the knife do the work.
 
Making slivered almonds should feel calm and controlled, not rushed.
 

3. Slice Lengthwise for Classic Slivers

Direction matters when making slivered almonds.
 
Slicing lengthwise gives you the long, thin slivers you see in bakeries and on green bean casseroles.
 
Slicing crosswise gives you chopped or flaked almonds instead, which have their own uses but aren’t slivered almonds.
 

4. Make a Big Batch and Store Them

Since making slivered almonds takes a bit of effort, make more than you need.
 
Spread the finished slivered almonds in a single layer and let them dry fully, then store them in an airtight jar for up to two weeks at room temperature.
 
For longer storage, freeze your slivered almonds in a sealed bag for up to six months.
 

Where to Use Your Homemade Slivered Almonds

Once you’ve mastered how to make slivered almonds, you’ll find uses for them everywhere.
 
Sprinkle slivered almonds over salads, yogurt, or oatmeal for a satisfying crunch.
 
Scatter them on top of muffins and quick breads before baking so they toast into a golden finish.
 
They’re also the classic topping for green bean casserole, and toasted slivered almonds add texture to rice pilafs and roasted vegetables.
 
Honestly, once you start making slivered almonds at home, you’ll wonder why you ever paid extra for the little bags at the store.
 

So, How Do You Make Slivered Almonds?

You make slivered almonds by blanching whole raw almonds, slipping off the skins, drying them completely, and slicing them lengthwise into thin strips.
 
It takes a little patience, but the process is simple and the results taste fresher than anything from a package.
 
With a sharp knife, dry almonds, and a few minutes of steady slicing, making slivered almonds becomes second nature.
 
Now you know exactly how to make slivered almonds whenever a recipe calls for them.