Cinnamon Sugar Candied Almonds
Crunchy almonds coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar glaze, perfect as a snack or topping. This general-inspired snacks ready in about 15 minutes turns raw almonds, granulated sugar, water into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw almonds
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup water, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon. Stir gently and bring the mixture to a boil, cooking for 3 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the syrup slightly thickens.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups raw almonds to the boiling syrup and stir continuously for 5-7 minutes until the syrup crystallizes and coats the almonds with a crunchy sugar glaze.
- Step 4: Quickly spread the coated almonds onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer and allow them to cool completely for 20 minutes before breaking apart and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cinnamon Sugar Candied Almonds take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cinnamon Sugar Candied Almonds?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cinnamon Sugar Candied Almonds?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cinnamon Sugar Candied Almonds for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cinnamon Sugar Candied Almonds?
General snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
