How to Blanch Almonds (VIDEO)

Blanched Almonds – Blanching almonds at home is much more cost-effective than buying them. Follow this simple step-by-step tutorial on how to blanch almonds to make your own blanched almonds at home.

this recipe!

Blanched Almonds vs. Raw Almonds

Have you come across a recipe that asks for blanched almonds? Raw almonds are whole almonds with their skins on that haven’t been roasted or salted. Blanched almonds are raw almonds that have had their skins removed.

Skinless almonds are used to make almond flour, almond paste, marzipan, Italian Pignoli Cookies, Italian Almond Paste Cookies (Almond Macaroons), and other almond flavored baked goods. They’re also sautéed and used as a topping for rice dishes such as this Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice Fattah.

Why blanch your own almonds?

Blanched almonds are more expensive than their skin-on counterparts. Blanching your own almonds is more economical than buying skinless almonds at the grocery store – if you can even find them.

In a recent search, I visited four different supermarkets and came up empty handed. However, raw almonds (whole almonds with the skins on) were easy to find.

Another important reason to blanch your own almonds is freshness. Almonds go rancid before too long and can develop a funky smell. Whole almonds stay fresh longer than sliced or slivered almonds. If you blanch your own almonds, you can be more assured of their freshness. This is especially important if you want to make almond flour or almond meal. Rancid sliced almonds will make the whole batch taste off.

With this fool-proof guide on how to blanch almonds, you’ll never spend the extra money on pre-blanched almonds again!

How to remove skin from almonds

Bring a pot of water to boil.

Add the raw almonds and boil for 60 seconds. Don’t cook longer or they can get soggy. Cooking them less can make the skins harder to get off.

Drain the almonds and rinse with cold water to cool them and stop the cooking process.

Squeeze each almond to remove the skin. The almonds will pop out.

Let the almonds dry completely and discard the skins.

Check out my How to Blanch Almonds video to see how it’s done.

If you want to grind almonds very finely (for almond flour or almond meal), dry them first. Either let them set on the counter several hours or stick them into a 200° F oven for about 10 minutes or until they feel completely dry.

How to Blanch Almonds in the Microwave

Almonds can also be blanched in the microwave. Put the almonds in a microwave safe bowl, cover with water by at least a half an inch, and heat on the high setting for 2-3 minutes. Drain and cool with cold water. Squeeze each almond to remove the skin.

If the almonds skins are hard to remove, soften them a little further by microwaving them in water again.

Blanched Slivered Almonds

To make slivered almonds, warm the blanched almonds for about 10 seconds in the microwave to soften them. Alternatively put them in boiling water or a very low oven until softened.

While they’re still warm and soft, use a sharp knife and split the almonds in half. You may see a thin line in the almond that indicates where the almond will most easily split in half. Next, carefully slice the almonds vertically into slivers.

Warm the almonds in small batches so they don’t cool and harden before you get to them.

Blanched Sliced Almonds

Blanched Sliced Almonds are made with special machinery that slices them very thin. While it’s hard to get them that thin at home, you can try to slice them as thinly as possible. Warm the blanched almonds for about 10 seconds in the microwave to soften them. While they’re still warm and soft, lay the almond on its side and carefully slice the almonds vertically.

Blanched Roasted Almonds

To roast blanched almonds, bake them in a 325° F oven until golden. This takes about 10-15 minutes for whole almonds, 8-12 minutes for slivered or sliced almonds. Stir them occasionally and watch them carefully because they go from golden to burnt quickly.

How to Store

Almonds can become rancid due to their natural oils. Store blanched almonds for up to a month in a cool, dark place in a tightly sealed container. They can be refrigerated for up to 3 months and frozen for up to a year. Whole almonds stay fresh longer than slivered almonds.

Tips

• Use raw almonds, not roasted or salted almonds.
• Only for boil for 60 seconds or the almonds will soften.
• Remove the skins shortly after draining and rinsing with cool water or the skins will be more difficult to remove.
• You can blanch any amount of almonds, just be sure they are all submerged in the boiling water.

FAQ

How to blanch sliced almonds?

Almonds are blanched first then sliced. Blanching an almond that has already been sliced would make it very soft and removing the small strip of peel on the edges would be very time consuming.

How to blanch slivered almonds?

Almonds are blanched first then slivered. Blanching an almond that has already been slivered would make it very soft and removing the small strip of peel on the edges would be very time consuming.

Where to buy blanched almonds?

While it is quick and easy to make your own blanched almonds at home, you can also buy them pre-blanched. It’s easier to find blanched slivered or sliced almonds in your local supermarket. It’s a little harder for me to find whole blanched almonds. I sometimes find them in Middle Eastern or Indian stores. You can also get them on Amazon.  

Recipe

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