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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
