Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
You can make candied almonds at home by coating raw almonds in a simple sugar syrup and baking or pan-frying them until they turn golden and crunchy.
Honestly, it’s one of those treats that looks impressive but takes very little effort.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make candied almonds without a candy thermometer or fancy equipment, you’re in luck.
All you really need are almonds, sugar, water, and a little patience.
Once you learn how to make candied almonds, you’ll be making them for holidays, parties, and snack cravings all year long.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make candied almonds step by step, the best methods for making candied almonds at home, and the mistakes that can ruin a batch.
Let’s get to it.
How Do You Make Candied Almonds? Here’s the Simple Answer
To make candied almonds, you cook raw almonds in a sugary syrup until the sugar crystallizes and coats each nut, then let them cool until the coating hardens.
The method for how to make candied almonds comes down to three simple stages:
1. Start With Raw Almonds
When you make candied almonds, always begin with raw, unsalted almonds.
Roasted or salted almonds don’t work as well because the coating won’t stick properly and the nuts can burn during cooking.
You can make candied almonds with whole almonds, slivered almonds, or even sliced ones if you prefer a lighter crunch.
2. Cook the Sugar Syrup
The heart of how to make candied almonds is the syrup.
Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
Add the almonds and stir constantly as the water evaporates.
Soon, the sugar will crystallize and coat the nuts with a white, sandy layer.
Keep stirring until that sugar melts again into a glossy caramel that clings to the almonds.
3. Cool and Let Them Harden
Once you make candied almonds, spread them on parchment paper in a single layer.
Let them cool completely, and the coating will harden into a crunchy shell.
Break apart any clusters and store them in an airtight container.
Different Ways to Make Candied Almonds
There’s more than one way to make candied almonds, and each method gives a slightly different texture.
1. The Stovetop Method
This is the classic way to make candied almonds and the one most people learn first.
You cook the almonds in sugar and water directly on the stove, stirring constantly.
The stovetop method for making candied almonds gives you the most control over the caramel.
2. The Oven Method
You can also make candied almonds in the oven.
Toss almonds in a sugar mixture, spread them on a baking sheet, and bake at a low temperature, stirring every few minutes.
The oven method to make candied almonds works well for large batches.
3. The Cinnamon Sugar Version
If you want to make candied almonds extra special, add cinnamon to the sugar.
These taste just like the candied almonds sold at fairs and festivals.
The cinnamon sugar way to make candied almonds is a fan favorite, and it’s easy to see why.
Mistakes to Avoid When You Make Candied Almonds
Knowing how to make candied almonds is half the battle, but avoiding these common mistakes matters just as much.
1. Stirring Too Slowly
When you make candied almonds, you have to keep the nuts moving.
If you walk away, the sugar can burn or the almonds can scorch on one side.
2. Using the Wrong Pan
A heavy-bottomed saucepan is your best friend when you make candied almonds.
Thin pans heat unevenly and can turn your sugar bitter before the coating is ready.
3. Skipping the Parchment Paper
Always spread candied almonds on parchment paper to cool.
If you make candied almonds and leave them on a bare surface, they’ll stick and you’ll end up with one giant almond brick.
So, How Do You Make Candied Almonds?
You make candied almonds by cooking raw almonds in a sugar syrup until they’re coated, then letting them cool until the candy shell hardens.
The process is simple, but the result is a sweet, crunchy treat that disappears fast.
Now that you know how to make candied almonds, the only question left is how long a batch will last in your house.
Spoiler: not long.