How To Make Almond Flour
Wondering how to make almond flour?
So as many of you know, I have recently given up grains. This produced a HUGE dilemma for me, especially right before the holidays when typically, I bake up a storm.
So I went down to my local Whole Foods and started looking at my options for flour (basically, coconut and almond flour). But I was absolutely shocked to find that a small package of almond flour was nearly $12, and it wasn’t even enough for me to make a typical batch of cookies. I was a little perturbed.
Not one to give up easily, I took a close look at the consistency of the flour. I mean, after all, it’s only ground up nuts, right? The only thing I had to do was grind some almonds to a fine consistency.
I finally decided on blanched, slivered almonds. I didn’t want the skins in my “flour”, (which is actually called “almond meal”) so these seemed to be the best and most convenient option.
I took them home and put them in my food processor. I had to let them blend for about 3-4 minutes with occasional stops to scrape the sides of the bowl. But in the end, I had almond flour that was comparable to what I saw in the store. I was mighty proud of myself. And the resulting cookies were so worth the extra effort!
But then, it really wasn’t much of an effort since my processor did all the work. But hey, I scraped the sides of the bowl, right? Plus, I paid $2.39 per package (I bought two 8 oz. packs) and ended up with just as much flour as the store package for a fraction of the cost. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.
Really, it’s very quick and easy.
WHAT TO MAKE WITH ALMOND FLOUR
There are so many wonderful almond flour recipes out there! I have a few for you here, of course, but don’t be afraid to google for more recipes. It’s really pretty amazing what some people do with this stuff!
- Grain Free Crackers
- Irish Spice Bread – This is beyond yummy!
- Low Carb Muffins
- Cranberry Upside Down Cake
- Air Fryer Fish N’ Chips
- Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie
HOW TO MAKE ALMOND FLOUR:
How To Make Almond Flour
Equipment
- Food processor
Instructions
- Place almonds in a food processor and blend until you have a relatively fine consistency. It won't be as fine as regular flour, but it will look pretty close.
- Note: You may want to blend the almonds in smaller batches. I've done this a few times recently, and it seems to blend better in smaller amounts.
Can almond flour be used in all types of cooking and baking? Or is it best used for specific recipes? I’m looking forward to trying this out!
There is no gluten. So you can only use it with specific recipes formulated to be gluten free.
Thank you. I went and bought some almond flour in bulk thinking I will just give it a try and see if I like it but guess I won’t be having many cookies. But now I can make it for myself for way less. Thanks. Once again I love your site.
Thanks for the post. I have thought about making my own too, but haven’t. I’m still in my weight loss phase so home made baked goods are too dangerous for me -definitely a trigger for me.
Does almond flour change the flavor of the end product? How different would breads taste if almond flour is used?
You can’t just switch them out. Wheat and nuts are two completely different things in baking.
You could also try blanching whole almonds yourself. I think this would be an even cheaper option. Love your website and what you do thanks heaps!
Could you do this in a Vitamix or Blendtec? Or would that give you almond butter?
I think you’d end up with almond butter.
I agree with you on pricing, so I made my own too this same way with the same kinds of almonds and it turned out so great! My mom was surprised to hear that’s how almond flour is made….so easy! I used it to make a Stollen for her for Christmas 🙂
Trader Joe’s almond meal is like $4. It’s around flour consistency.
Ya, but I’ve found that it just doesn’t work as well as the flour. It produces something far more dense.
You can also make almond flour with the leftovers from making almond milk. I soak regular whole almonds then blend them with water and strain through a nut bag to make the almond milk. Then I dry (in a dehydrator or in a low temp oven) what’s left in the nut bag. Lots of recipes online for this. I use two cups of almonds for a gallon of almond milk.
Can you use almond flour in place where whole wheat or all-purpose flour is used?
Would it be a 1 to 1 exchange, same amount of each?
How does it effect flavor?
Thanks
Linda
No, you can’t. Sorry.
This is great!!!!! however I’m surprised in the store it was that much! Did you check the bulk section? That is where I buy mine at Sprouts Market and it is not crazy expensive. You might even want to try and buy your Almonds from bulk…they for sure would be cheaper 🙂
Yes, I did check. 🙂
I had in mind to try making almond flour but didn’t want to waste a bag of nuts if it didn’t work. Thanks for being so adventurous and persistent on the behalf of all of us cowards. I would be interested in knowing how to bake with almond flour and if you will be sharing your cookie recipe.
Hi,
I enjoy your blog and have used many recipes. The Sweet Potato Chili is wonderful! Last night I heard a lecture by Sue Becker of http://www.breadbeckers.com and gained tremendous insight about why bread, which sustained most of the world for thousands of years, is now such an unhealthy item. She makes bread that is healing to the body. I suggest you check out her information.
Jan
I have recently been making almond milk (you can find lots of recipes on the web). Then after you are done making the almond milk, you dehydrate the almond pulp to make almond flour. It is a pretty cool way to make your almond go even farther, and you can use the almonds with the skins still on them (which is quite a bit cheaper) and you will get the exact flour consistency you get in the store!
Awesome! Thanks!
I have been everywhere looking for almond flour in the UK today but couldn’t find any! I didn’t realise that was “all” that was in it. How easy! That’s what I will use in my receipe now as I have silvered almonds in the cupboard anyway! Thanks 🙂
question for you – do you think almond flour would work in place of all purpose flour in sauces like a bechumel?? whole wheat flour gives everything a wheat flavor that the husband just isnt a fan of…
If you need a gluten free flour, try coconut flour. Almond flour won’t thicken anything. It’s just ground up nuts.
Trader Joe’s sells almond flour for a lot less than that if you don’t want to make it yourself.
Actually, they sell almond meal. There is a difference.
I’ve made my own almond flour too but for a specific recipe. I am wondering, like others, if you can use this flour for general baking.
Thanks for the great post!
There is no gluten in this flour. You cannot substitute it for wheat flour. I mean you could, buy you wouldn’t like the outcome much. 🙂
How neat! Thanks for sharing!
We buy the big bags of almonds at Sams and i keep them in the freezer. I would then grind up a handful in an old electric coffee grinder and make enough flour to keep in a container in the fridge. I now have a Vitamix and can grind too with that. In fact we make our own peanut butter, no sugar, just peanuts. Thanks for all you share!