Christmas Candied Almonds Recipe

You know those moments when you walk through the mall during the holidays and that sweet cinnamon smell just pulls you in? That's exactly what these Christmas Candied Almonds smell like when they're baking in my Nashville kitchen.

I started making these about three years ago when Bradley mentioned missing the candied nuts from the Christmas market. Now they've become our holiday tradition, and honestly, they're way better than anything you'll find at the fair. The best part? I can make them whenever Amy asks (which is pretty much weekly during December), and they're so simple that she helps me stir them. If you're looking for another sweet snack to make this season, you'll want to check out my Rice Krispie Treats Recipe too.

These cinnamon sugar almonds come together with just six ingredients and one hour in the oven. I've been making batch after batch since Thanksgiving, and they're perfect for everything from snacking while watching Christmas movies to topping salads for holiday dinners.

Trust me, once you make these homemade candied almonds, you won't go back to buying them at the mall.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love These Christmas Candied Almonds
• Ingredients For Candied Almonds
• How To Make Christmas Candied Almonds
• Storage And Freezing Tips
• Ways To Use Candied Almonds
• Tips For Perfect Christmas Candied Almonds
• Ingredient Substitutions
• Frequently Asked Questions About Candied Almonds
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts
• Christmas Candied Almonds

Why You'll Love These Christmas Candied Almonds

• Simple ingredients: Just six pantry staples you probably already have at home
• Freezer-friendly: Make a huge batch now and enjoy them for months (they last up to 3 months in the freezer)
• Versatile: Perfect as a snack, salad topping, yogurt addition, or packaged as homemade gifts
• Better than store-bought: Way more cinnamon flavor and crunch than anything you'll find at the mall or fair
• Kid-approved: Amy loves helping measure the cinnamon, and Bradley actually puts his phone down to grab handfuls
• Budget-friendly: Costs a fraction of what you'd pay for a small bag at the Christmas market

Ingredients For Candied Almonds

Here's what you'll need to make these cinnamon roasted almonds:

• 16 ounces raw almonds (about 3 cups) - make sure they're unsalted
• 1 egg white - this creates the coating that makes everything stick
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract - don't skip this, it adds so much flavor
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt - balances the sweetness perfectly
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - the star of the show

Why These Ingredients Matter

The egg white is what makes these almonds different from other recipes. It creates this amazing coating that gets crispy in the oven and holds all that cinnamon sugar perfectly.

I learned this technique back in cooking school, and it's the secret to getting that fair-style crunch. The vanilla extract might seem optional, but trust me on this one. It adds a warmth that makes these taste like Christmas.

How To Make Christmas Candied Almonds

Preparing Your Workspace

1. Preheat your oven to 250°F. This low temperature is key to getting them perfectly crunchy without burning.
2. Grease a large baking sheet with butter or cooking spray. Here's something important: don't use parchment paper or foil for this recipe. The almonds need direct contact with the greased pan to get that perfect texture.
3. Combine the dry ingredients in a small bowl: sugar, sea salt, and cinnamon. Set this aside for now.

Coating The Almonds

4. Whip the egg white and vanilla in a large mixing bowl with a whisk for about 1 minute until it's frothy. You'll know it's ready when you see lots of bubbles.
5. Add the almonds to the egg white mixture and stir until every almond is evenly coated. This usually takes me about 30 seconds of good stirring.
6. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the wet almonds and stir until everything's evenly distributed. Make sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl - you don't want to waste any of that cinnamon sugar goodness.

Amy always fights me for the spatula at this point because she loves licking off the extra coating. I usually make her wait until after they're baked though!

Baking The Almonds

7. Spread the almonds in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. They shouldn't be piled on top of each other.
8. Bake at 250°F for 1 full hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Set a timer for this because it's easy to forget.

Here's where people usually want to take shortcuts - the almonds might look done after 45 minutes, but bake them the full hour anyway. This is what gives them that perfect crunch when they cool.

9. Remove from the oven after the hour is up, give them one final stir, and let them cool right on the baking sheet.

The hardest part? Waiting for them to cool before eating them. Bradley never manages this step. He's always grabbing warm almonds straight off the pan.

Storage And Freezing Tips

Room Temperature Storage

Keep your candied almonds in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. I use a big glass jar with a tight lid, which also looks pretty sitting on the counter during the holidays.

Freezer Storage

Want to make these ahead for Christmas? Here's how:

1. Let the almonds cool completely first
2. Transfer them to a freezer-safe, airtight container
3. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months
4. Thaw at room temperature when you're ready to eat them

Honestly? They taste amazing even when they're frozen. John discovered this when he was sneaking some straight from the freezer one night. Now he prefers them that way.

Ways To Use Candied Almonds

These cinnamon candied almonds are so versatile. Here are my favorite ways to use them:

On Salads: They add the perfect sweet crunch to green salads, especially with goat cheese and cranberries. I chop them roughly and sprinkle them over the top right before serving.

Snack Mix: Mix them with popcorn, pretzels, and dried cranberries for a Christmas snack mix that disappears in minutes at parties.

Breakfast Topping: Sprinkle over oatmeal or yogurt for a special holiday breakfast. Amy requests this every Saturday morning in December.

Cheese Boards: They're perfect on holiday cheese boards. The sweet cinnamon flavor pairs beautifully with sharp cheddar and brie.

Gift Packaging: Package them in mason jars with a ribbon for homemade Christmas gifts. I made about 15 jars last year for neighbors and teachers.

Tips For Perfect Christmas Candied Almonds

Use Raw, Unsalted Almonds: Salted almonds will make the final product way too salty since we're already adding sea salt to the coating.

Don't Skip The Stirring: Stirring every 15 minutes during baking keeps the coating even and prevents burning. I usually set a timer on my phone so I don't forget.

Bake The Full Hour: Even if they look done early, finish the full baking time. The low, slow heat is what makes them perfectly crunchy.

Let Them Cool Completely: They'll still be a bit soft when warm but will crisp up beautifully as they cool on the pan.

Adjust The Cinnamon: Love lots of cinnamon? Add an extra half teaspoon. Want it milder? Use 1½ teaspoons instead of 2.

Ingredient Substitutions

Can I Use Different Nuts?

I always use raw almonds for this recipe, but I've had readers tell me they've tried pecans, cashews, and walnuts with great results. The baking time might need slight adjustments depending on the nut size.

What About The Egg White?

Don't substitute the egg white. It's what makes the coating work. I tried aquafaba once (the liquid from canned chickpeas) and it just didn't create the same crispy coating.

Sugar Options

I've used both regular granulated sugar and organic cane sugar. Both work perfectly. I haven't tried coconut sugar, but if you do, let me know how it turns out!

Salt Considerations

Use fine sea salt if you have it. If you're using regular iodized table salt, cut the amount in half to ½ teaspoon. Table salt is much finer and saltier tasting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Candied Almonds

Recipes You May Like

• Bold Chex Mix Recipe - Another crunchy snack perfect for holiday parties
• Greek Chicken Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing - Top this salad with your candied almonds for extra crunch
• Caramel Puppy Chow - If you love sweet snacks, you'll want to try this

Final Thoughts

These Christmas Candied Almonds have become one of our most-made recipes during the holiday season. They're simple enough for a weeknight but special enough to give as gifts.

Give this recipe a try this week and let me know what you think! I'd love to hear if you make them for holiday parties or if your family fights over them like mine does.

Save this recipe on Pinterest so you can find it again later, and happy snacking!

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