You can removing the skin of almonds in 5 minutes and this may save you some money as you don’t need to buy a box of peeled almonds and a box of almonds with skin.
When / Why Do We Need to Peel Almonds
There are no musts for peeling or blanching almonds. Most recipes can do with almonds with skin, but there a few reasons to take the effort to peel the almonds.
- The almond’s skin is dry and papery and that may not be your taste preference. It could also alter the texture of a dish.
- Some people associate the almond’s skin with a bitter taste; that could mask the delicious natural flavor of the nut.
- Some recipes desire a lighter color, and blanched almonds are the answer.
How to Peel Almonds
Step 1 – Bring water to boil in a small pan. Add the almonds and cook for 1 minute. Please keep an eye on the clock; cooking them longer may result in a mushy almond. If you don’t cook them long enough, removing the skin may be problematic.
Step 2 – Drain the almonds and transfer them to a bowl filled with ice water until they are cooled.
Step 3 A – Drain almonds again and transfer onto a kitchen towel. Rub the almonds inside the towel and many almonds will lose their skin. Make sure you use an old towel, this rubbing will leave stains.
Step 3 B – Instead of using a towel, you can use your hands by squeezing each nut between your fingers. This goes very easy, but takes a little bit of time. Be aware that those almonds may fly through your kitchen.
When all your almonds are peeled, you’ll have a bowl of clean smooth almonds. Before using them in your recipes, allow them to dry completely.
It goes without saying that you can use whole peeled/blanched almonds, you can use halves, cut them into slivers, or chunks, make them into almond flour or almond paste.
Recipes with Almonds to Try
- Small Apple Tarts with Lemon Almond Paste
- Almond Sugar Cookies – Jan Hagel
- Dutch Kletskoppen Cookies
How To Peel (Blanch)Almonds
Pin Recipe FacebookIngredients
- 4 ounces raw unprocessed almonds
- water
Instructions
- Bring water to boil in a small pan. Add the almonds and cook for 1 MINUTE. Please keep an eye on the clock; cooking them longer may result in a mushy almond. Cooking them for a shorter period may mean you don't get the skin off.
- Drain the almonds and transfer them to a bowl with ice water until they are cooled.
- Drain almonds again and transfer to a kitchen towel. Rub the almonds inside the towel and many almonds will lose their skin. Make sure you use an old towel, this rubbing will leave stains on the towel.
- Instead of using a towel, you can use your hands by squeezing each nut between your fingers. This goes very easy, but takes a little bit of time.
- Allow them to dry completely. THIS IS IT!
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.