Love holiday nuts and treats? Try my candied pecans, candied nuts, or candied cashews next. How do you elevate the humble almond? Candy it up. Some may think cinnamon sugar almonds are just for the holiday season, but for my family and I, it’s a daily snack. As much as I love plain salted and roasted almonds, nothing beats the flavor of these caramelized almonds.
Why I love this recipe
Crispy, crunchy, and sweet. It’s amazing what you can do with a handful of almonds and a little patience! The perfect snack or gift. I love gifting little treats to my friends and family; when I do, I always make a double batch for myself! They have a long shelf life. Keep them fresh for up to two months in the fridge or six months in the freezer! Versatile. Crush them on top of salads, fold them into a trail mix, or use them to make my Almond Roca.
Ingredients needed
Almonds. You’ll want to use raw and unsalted almonds. Granulated sugar. I tried white sugar and brown sugar, and I preferred the sweet crunch of white sugar. That said, brown sugar can also work. Cinnamon. A must for candied nuts! Egg white. Coating the nuts in the egg white before adding the sugar mix helps them stick nicely and also prevents the almonds themselves from burning.
How to make candied almonds
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Arman’s recipe tips
Cut the carbs. Swap the sugar for a sugar-free sweetener (I prefer allulose!). Add spices. Try ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice. Or a pinch of salt. To elevate the other ingredients. Serve them warm. While I usually serve these at room temperature, they taste really good fresh off the stove.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover candied nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one month or in the fridge for two months. If you’d prefer to make these candied almonds in a skillet, I have you covered! Add the sugar and cinnamon, along with 1 1/4 cups of water, in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Let everything simmer until a syrup forms. Add the almonds and mix until combined. Transfer onto a lined sheet to firm up. To freeze: Place almonds in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer for up to six months.
Frequently asked questions
More fun snacks to try
Christmas popcorn Tanghulu Warm nuts Cinnamon pita chips
Originally updated March 2023, updated and republished August 2024