How to Blanch Almonds in 5 Easy Steps

Learn how to blanch almonds quickly and easily at home. In just a few minutes, you can remove almond skins for baking, snacking, or making almond flour.

If you've ever wondered how to blanch almonds, you'll be surprised by how simple it is.

With just boiling water and a few minutes, you can remove the skins and reveal smooth, creamy almonds-perfect for baking, snacking, or making almond flour.

A blanched almond is simply an almond without its skin. Blanching them yourself is not only quick and economical, but it also gives you fresher, better-tasting results than store-bought.

Growing up, I often helped my mom peel almonds to make biscotti. I remember how easily the skins slipped off after boiling them. Still to this day, I start my holiday baking by preparing a big batch of blanched almonds.

Now that you know why it's worth blanching your own almonds, here's a quick look at what you'll need and how long it takes.

Jump to:

• Quick Overview
• What do I Need to Make Blanched Almonds?
• Blanching Almonds in 5 Easy Steps
• Tips for Perfectly Blanched Almonds
• FAQ
• Italian Cookie Recipe with Almonds 
• Recipe

Quick Overview

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 minute
• Total Time: 6 minutes
• Yield: Any amount you like - the blanching method stays the same.
• Uses: Perfect for making almond flour, almond paste, or any recipe that calls for skinless almonds. They're also great for making almond butter cookies, cozonac and homemade almond butter.

What do I Need to Make Blanched Almonds?

• Raw almonds: Make sure they're unsalted and unroasted. These are the only ones that will blanch properly.
• Water: Needed to boil the almonds and stop the cooking process by rinsing in cold water.

As for accessories, we need a medium pot, a colander or strainer, and some clean kitchen tea towels.

Blanching almonds is surprisingly simple, and it all starts with a pot of boiling water. Once you have your ingredients and tools ready, you're set to begin.

Are you ready? Let's dive in!

Blanching Almonds in 5 Easy Steps

• Step 1: Fill a medium pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Make sure there's enough water to fully submerge the almonds.
• Step 2: Set your timer to 60 seconds. Carefully add raw almonds to the boiling water. Let them cook for exactly 1 minute - just enough for the skins to loosen, but not so long that the almonds start to cook through.
• Step 3: Drain the almonds in a colander and immediately rinse them under cold running water. This stops the cooking process and cools the almonds so you can handle them easily.
• Step 4: Time to start popping! Gently squeeze each almond from the base toward the point - the skin will slip right off. It's surprisingly fun (and a little addictive) to see how easily they pop out of their skins. If a few are stubborn, use your fingernail or a small paring knife to help them along.
• Step 5: Blot with a tea towel. Place your “skinless” almonds in a single layer on a sheet pan, lined with a tea towel and leave to air dry.

Et voilà, you can now transform fresh, perfectly blanched almonds into wonderful baked treats or savory dishes!

Tips for Perfectly Blanched Almonds

Blanching almonds is simple, but a few small tweaks can make a big difference in both texture and flavor. Here are some tried-and-true tips to get consistent, professional-quality results every time:

• Small batches: If you are planning to blanch a large quantity of almonds, start with small batches. 
• Don't overboil. Keep almonds in boiling water for no more than 60 seconds - longer and they'll soften too much.
• Peel right away. Remove the almond skins as soon as you rinse them under cold water. The longer they sit, the harder it is to slip off the skin.
• Dry on a clean tea towel. Spread the almonds out in a single layer and pat them gently to remove excess moisture. Let them air-dry until completely dry to the touch.
• Oven-dry for almond flour. If you plan to grind them, dry completely in a warm oven (170°F / 75°C) for 10-15 minutes for the best results.
• Infuse flavor. Add a touch of vanilla, lemon zest, or other aromatics to the blanching water for subtly flavored almonds.
• Store smart. Once dry, refrigerate almonds in an airtight jar or freezer-safe container for long-term freshness.

FAQ

Italian Cookie Recipe with Almonds 

Almonds are a key ingredient in so many Italian cookies. Whether you're baking with blanched or unblanched almonds, both work beautifully - it often comes down to the look and texture you prefer. Here are some of our favorite almond cookie recipes to inspire your next baking day:

And if you enjoy almonds as a snack, try my Chocolate Covered Almonds or these Cocoa Dusted Almonds for a simple homemade treat.

Blanching almonds at home is not only cost-effective, it gives you perfect, smooth almonds for any recipe.

What will you make with your skinless almonds?

I would love to hear about it!

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★★★★★ If you make this method for blanching almonds, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe

I originally published this article on November 8, 2015, and republished it on November 1, 2018, and again on November 10, 2025, with updated content and photos. Thanks for watching and sharing!