Air Fryer Roasted Almonds

I want to share today a snack that I always make for my family, and by always I mean that it’s literally never missing from my pantry. Air fryer roasted almonds are the groundbreaking recipe that actually made me fall in love with nuts. No more buying expensive trail mixes, these take only 5 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook to a crunchy, flavorful perfection.

If you love salt-and-vinegar chips, you will love these tart, savory, crunchy almonds! Add them to lunch boxes, charcuterie boards, or on salads, so many delicious possibilities to enjoy these air-fried almonds. Since I got my air fryer, I have been using it wisely to quickly make healthy, wholesome snacks for my family. My kids love to snack on air-fried gnocchi or crisp carrot chips, while I like to make air-fried pears with maple syrup and cinnamon for myself, which tastes like such a treat.

This is by far the easiest way to turn that bag of plain nuts into a delicious and healthy snack. These are one of my family’s favorite snacks to munch on. In this recipe, I use salt, smoked paprika, and sesame oil for a deep, rich, nutty flavor, and white vinegar to add a layer of tanginess. The best part of this recipe is just the base; the flavor combinations are endless, and you can customize it to your liking, even use a mix of different nuts! Do yourself a favor and fix a batch; you will be instantly hooked.

Why you will love this recipe 

• Turns plain nuts into a gourmet snack: In just 15 minutes, with a couple of ingredients, I can turn a bag of plain, boring almonds into gourmet roasted almonds. It is so easy that I actually stopped buying snack mixes!
• Save money: I have paid over $20 on those expensive gourmet nuts before because they are so delicious. Now that I know how easy it is, I can make my own and play with different flavor combos!
• Shake and toss: All I have to do is season the almonds with oil and smoked paprika, then toss them in the air fryer. That’s it. A few minutes later, I’m eating roasted almonds. And they smell so good, everyone will be in there looking for what I’m cooking. 
• Use them in recipes: I can also use them in other recipes, part of cheese boards, on cookies, brownies, and pastries, or add them to salads. They are delicious in yogurt or mixed into cereal. 

What you will need

• Almonds: I use raw, organic almonds with the skins on. 
• Wet ingredients: I use white vinegar to add tang. The sesame oil adds a deep, nutty taste and helps the seasonings stick to the almonds. 
• Seasonings: Besides salt, I use smoked paprika to give the almonds a savory, subtle smoky flavor and a red tint. 

How to make 

Mix it up: First, I mix all the ingredients in a bowl. 

Cook the almonds: I place the almonds in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes. I shake the basket and cook for another 3 minutes, checking them every minute to make sure they don’t burn. 

Cool and store: After, I place them on a plate to let them cool completely before serving or storing. 

Expert tip

Getting the best raw almonds

If you’ve never bought raw almonds before, look for genuine organic almonds that are USDA certified and unpasteurized. The ones I get usually come from California. They are called Nonpareil or Carmel. They have no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Fresh almonds are a solid light color, plump, and have no mold or cracks. They should smell nutty and mild. When broken, they should snap firmly in half. If they bend or feel soft, they are not fresh. 

More tips to consider:

• Watch them carefully and trust your nose. They can burn quickly. I check mine every minute after air frying them for 5 minutes.
• Only cook a single layer at a time. Otherwise, they will not crisp evenly. 
• Don’t preheat the air fryer. That can burn the nuts. 
• Use parchment paper for easier handling. 
• Stir the nuts at the halfway point to help them cook evenly. 

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Cajun nuts: I sometimes add some of my Cajun seasoning to these to make them spicy. 
• Make them hotter: If Cajun seasoning isn’t spicy enough, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
• Sweet almonds: To add a bit of sweetness, sprinkle on brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Garlic almonds: I love garlic, so I often add a few shakes of garlic powder to my almonds.  
• Ranch seasoning: Another seasoning my family loves is ranch. A bit of my homemade ranch seasoning on these almonds makes them irresistible. 
• Honey-roasted: Toss nuts with 1 tablespoon of honey and ½ teaspoon of butter instead of the vinegar and oil for honey-roasted nuts.
• Other nuts: Instead of almonds, feel free to use pecans, walnuts, peanuts, macadamias, or cashews.

Serving suggestions:

These are wonderful to eat right out of the jar, but I also serve them in salads like this turkey salad with grapes. The tangy flavor and extra crunch add a boost to this creamy dish, whether it is spread on a baguette or eaten with crackers. When I add these roasted pecans to my fall pasta salad, even when chopped in half, they add a smoky tang and a crispy texture. The dressing blends well with the flavor, complementing the taste.

They are a scrumptious addition to any trail mix, too. Chopped, these roasted pecans are a good topping for a variety of dishes like cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, and this beautiful rainbow chia pudding parfait. I love the colors in this, and when I serve it, I get a lot of “oohs” and “ahhs”. I have to admit, it really does look like a work of art, but it tastes even better because of all the different fruits I use. 

How to store leftovers:

• Refrigerate: Do not store these until they are completely cool to keep them crunchy. Once they are cool, put them in a jar or another airtight container, and they can be kept at room temperature for a week or in the refrigerator for 3 months.  
• Freezing: They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.  
• Defrost: I thaw mine overnight in the fridge before eating for the best texture.

Frequently asked questions

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