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Learn how to roast almonds in minutes in the oven, in a skillet, or even in the microwave. It’s an easy way to bring out their natural flavor while adding a little extra crunch in the process.
Ingredient notes
- Almonds: Cooking times vary depending on which method you choose. And keep an eye on your almonds! They can go from zero to burnt in under a minute. Don’t walk away.
- Oil or butter: Roasting in fat is optional for plain almonds and helpful when you want to add spices and seasonings.
Instructions
- Whole almonds: Roast in a 325-degree oven for 5-15 minutes.
- Slivered almonds: Roast in a 325-degree oven for 5-10 minutes.
- Sliced almonds: Roast in a 325-degree oven for 5-10 minutes.
Recipe tips and variations
- Rosemary almonds: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a nonstick skillet. Add 2 cups almonds and ½ teaspoon dried rosemary. Toast over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Lemon-garlic almonds: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil or butter in a nonstick skillet. Add 2 cups almonds, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, and 1 clove minced garlic. Toast over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Barbecued almonds: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a nonstick skillet. Add 2 cups almonds, ½ teaspoon cumin, ⅛ teaspoon chili powder, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, and a pinch of cloves. Toast over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Spiced almonds: Heat 1 tbsp butter in a nonstick skillet. Add 2 cups almonds, 2 tablespoons sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon cloves, and ⅛ teaspoon allspice. Toast over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Serving suggestions: Toasted almonds are delicious in biscotti, Linzer cookies, almond butter, chicken salad, and other side dishes like couscous and bok choy salad.
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How to Roast Almonds
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
To Roast Almonds in the oven:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- If roasting whole almonds, roast for 10-15 minutes. If roasting slivered or sliced almonds, roast for 8-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Oven temperatures may vary, so keep an eye on the almonds so they don't burn.
- Remove from oven and chop or use as desired. Or, store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
To Roast Almonds on the stove:
- In a medium skillet over medium-low heat, heat almonds until browned and fragrant, stirring occasionally, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove from skillet and chop or use as desired. Or, store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
How to Roast Almonds in the microwave:
- On a microwave-safe plate, spread almonds in a single, even layer.
- Microwave in 1-minute intervals until lightly golden and toasted.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Almonds: Cooking times vary depending on which method you choose. And keep an eye on your almonds! They can go from zero to burnt in under a minute. Don’t walk away.
- Oil or butter: Roasting in fat is optional for plain almonds and helpful when you want to add spices and seasonings.
- Rosemary almonds: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a nonstick skillet. Add 2 cups almonds and ½ teaspoon dried rosemary. Toast over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Lemon-garlic almonds: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil or butter in a nonstick skillet. Add 2 cups almonds, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, and 1 clove minced garlic. Toast over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Barbecued almonds: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a nonstick skillet. Add 2 cups almonds, ½ teaspoon cumin, ⅛ teaspoon chili powder, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, and a pinch of cloves. Toast over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Spiced almonds: Heat 1 tbsp butter in a nonstick skillet. Add 2 cups almonds, 2 tablespoons sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon cloves, and ⅛ teaspoon allspice. Toast over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Serving suggestions: Toasted almonds are delicious in biscotti, Linzer cookies, almond butter, chicken salad, and other side dishes like couscous and bok choy salad.
Nutrition
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
I initially chose to “roast” my raw almonds with olive oil in a non-stick skillet, but the spices did not adhere to the almonds at all. I then transferred the oiled almonds to a silicone baking mat on a baking sheet. I sprinkled the full amount of the cumin/cayenne/chili spice mixture over all and roasted them in a 325 degree oven. I roasted them without stirring for about 12 more minutes, checking them frequently and turning the pan. I lightly salted them and left them on the sheet to cool completely. The results are delicious. My non-stick skillet is quite old, so that may explain the spices adhering more to the pan than to the almonds, All’s well that ends well, and I will definitely roast with this recipe again as a tasty part of my brain health diet.
I had raw whole almonds from the grocery. I soaked them in salt water overnight and then roasted at 325 for 15 mins. They were chewy so I turned the oven off and put them back in for awhile. They still aren’t crunchy! What to do?
Hi Mary, thank you for your question! I’m not sure exactly, as I don’t soak my almonds before roasting them. I would assume it has to do with soaking in water. Were they dried before you roasted them? Were they warm when you tasted them? Did they become better once cooled? I’m so sorry about not being able to help more. – Meggan
I roasted walnuts and almonds using olive oil how long will they last or go bad .
Hi Susan, a quick search says that roasted almonds can stay good for up to a year in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. Hope thise helps! – Meggan
I want to wash the pesticides off my almonds. one site says to soak them for 12 hours, then rub together and dehydrate somehow.
I’ve heard that salt can help remove pesticide residues (my dentist also gargles with salt water–for whatever that is worth ha!) Other sites say to wash with backing soda to lower the Ph, breaking down the pesticides.
Another site says to roast nuts at a lower temp: 220 degrees for 20 mins. Caveat, that site assumed we were just roasting, not presoaking. Time **and** temperature often work symbiotically. think pottery glazes, steel making, and of course, no guy could forget to mention Shawshank Redemption where the secret is time + pressure. I know, not related.
Anyway, what do you think? Or is it time for experiments? thanks!
Hi Brad, thank you for the question. I didn’t realize how many ways there were to remove pesticides from almonds. I’m not an expert on this by any means, sorry about that. I would have to defer to someone with more technical experience than I have in this area. Sorry about that! – Meggan
Does roasting them change their nutritional content?
Hi Laura, if you are roasting them plain then there is no change! Hope you enjoy. – Meggan
Once I knew how to roast almonds at home, I never looked back ! So easy and quick, it is my favourite snack.
Happy to help, Helena. Glad you enjoy! – Meggan
I have a lot of almonds to roast and they all have their brown skin still on. How can i telll when they’re cooked?
Hi Ellie, you will see the almonds go from a golden brown color to a darker golden brown. Make sure to stir occasionally and watch them so they do not burn. For reference, you can look at the first image under “Instructions” in the post to see the difference between unroasted and roasted almonds. Hope this helps, enjoy! – Meggan