If you’ve ever craved an irresistibly crunchy, chocolatey treat, you’re going to adore this Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe. It’s super simple but feels incredibly indulgent—perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth at home or gifting to someone special. Trust me, homemade chocolate covered almonds taste way better than anything you’ll find in the store, and I’ll walk you through every step to make sure yours turn out perfect!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Just almonds and quality chocolate, no complicated extras needed.
- Easy to Make: You don’t need fancy equipment or skills, perfect for beginners.
- Customizable Flavors: Use dark, milk, or a mix depending on your sweet spot.
- Perfect Gift Idea: Handmade treats that impress friends and family every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe comes from keeping it straightforward and using quality ingredients. Picking great almonds and chocolate really makes a difference in taste and texture.
- Almonds: Whole almonds are ideal; I like them skin-on for extra crunch, but feel free to use blanched for a smoother bite.
- Chocolate: Choose good quality dark, milk, or a combination—this is where your personality shines in the recipe.
Variations
I love tweaking this Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe depending on the occasion or mood. It’s a wonderfully flexible base, so don’t hesitate to get creative.
- Spiced Almonds: Add a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder to the almonds before roasting for a surprising kick.
- Nut Clusters: Try mounding a few almonds together coated in chocolate for cluster treats – they’re a fun twist and super shareable.
- Sweetened and Salted: Sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top once coated to balance the sweetness beautifully.
- Chocolate Mix: Combine dark and milk chocolate for a swirl effect; I tried this and my family couldn’t stop munching!
How to Make Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe
Step 1: Roast Your Almonds to Perfection
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread the almonds out in a single layer on a plain cookie sheet and roast them for about 5 to 8 minutes. This step is key—it toasts the nuts and brings out that rich, nutty flavor. When you take them out, transfer them immediately to a bowl to cool so they don’t keep roasting on the hot pan. Trust me, this little move saves them from becoming bitter or burnt.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate Smoothly
Chop your chocolate into small, even pieces—this helps it melt evenly. You can melt half the chocolate using a bain-marie (a fancy name for a water bath) or the microwave. If you’re using a microwave, melt it in 30-second bursts, stirring in between to avoid scorching. Once half is melted, fold in the rest of the chopped chocolate and stir until smooth. This tempering trick keeps your chocolate glossy and easy to work with.
Step 3: Coat Almonds and Chill
Drop your roasted almonds into the melted chocolate and stir gently to coat them fully. Here’s something I discovered: move the almonds one by one with a fork and let the excess chocolate drip off—that way, each almond won’t be a big clump of chocolate, just perfectly covered. Lay them out on parchment paper-lined cookie sheets and pop them in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours until the chocolate hardens. Then, enjoy that moment when you bite into the crunchy, chocolaty goodness!
Step 4: Optional Almond Clusters
If you want to switch things up, use a large spoon to scoop 5 or 6 chocolate-coated almonds into small mounds on your parchment paper instead of spreading them out one by one. These clusters make a fantastic party treat or homemade gift. My friends always ask me to make these for gatherings—they’re moreish and super easy.
Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe
- Room Temperature Almonds: Make sure your roasted almonds cool completely before adding to chocolate to prevent seizing.
- Even Chocolate Pieces: Chop chocolate finely so it melts evenly and doesn’t burn.
- Parchment Paper Essential: Use parchment to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
- Chill Time Patience: Don’t rush refrigeration—proper chilling gives shiny, crisp chocolate shells.
How to Serve Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe
Garnishes
I sometimes sprinkle flaky sea salt or a bit of cocoa powder on the almonds right after coating them while the chocolate is still wet. It gives a sophisticated contrast and really steps up their flavor profile. If you like a little extra flair, a tiny dusting of edible gold glitter makes them party-ready!
Side Dishes
Serve these with cheese platters, fresh fruit like sliced apples or pears, or alongside a cup of your favorite coffee or tea for an elegant snack. I’ve found these pair wonderfully with a glass of red wine, too—perfect for cozying up in the evening.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifts or special occasions, I like to package chocolate covered almonds in small mason jars tied with twine and a handwritten note. For parties, displaying almond clusters in decorative glass bowls or arranging them on a tiered tray makes a stunning centerpiece. You can even drizzle white chocolate over dark chocolate ones for a professional-looking finish!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay fresh and maintain their crunch for up to two weeks—if you don’t eat them all first! Just bring them to room temperature before enjoying again.
Freezing
These chocolate covered almonds freeze beautifully. I place them in a freezer-safe container separated by parchment layers to avoid sticking, and they last for a couple of months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheating
I typically don’t reheat them, but if your chocolate softens a bit, just let the almonds sit at room temperature for a while to regain their crisp coating. Avoid microwaving to preserve that perfect texture.
FAQs
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Can I use other nuts instead of almonds?
Absolutely! This Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe works great with walnuts, pecans, or cashews. Just roast them similarly and coat with melted chocolate for a delicious twist.
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Should I remove the almond skins before roasting?
It’s up to you! Almonds with skins offer extra texture and a slightly earthier flavor, while blanched almonds give a smoother, milder taste. Both are delicious, so try both to see what you prefer.
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How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing?
Make sure your almonds are completely dry and cooled before mixing with chocolate. Also, melt your chocolate gently and avoid any water contact to keep it smooth and glossy.
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Can I add flavors like vanilla or espresso?
Yes, a dash of vanilla extract or instant espresso powder stirred into the melted chocolate enhances flavor nicely. Just add it sparingly so you don’t affect the chocolate’s texture.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe turns out every single time—crisp almonds with that smooth, rich chocolate coating is such a comforting treat. When I first tried making them, I didn’t expect them to be so simple yet so impressive, and now my family goes crazy whenever I make a batch. You’ll find that making your own is not only fun but also a great way to control ingredients and flavors to suit your taste. Seriously, give this recipe a try—I promise you won’t regret it!
Print
Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious homemade chocolate covered almonds made with roasted whole almonds coated in smooth melted dark, milk, or a combination of chocolates. Perfect as a snack or a thoughtful gift, these treats are simple to make and irresistibly satisfying.
Ingredients
Almonds
- 6½ ounces whole almonds (skinned or not)
Chocolate
- 7 ounces good quality chocolate (dark, milk, or a combination)
Instructions
- Chop the chocolate: Chop the chocolate into small pieces to ensure even and quick melting.
- Roast the almonds: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread the almonds in a single layer on a plain cookie sheet and roast for 5-8 minutes. Remove them from the hot pan immediately and transfer to a small bowl to cool, preventing overbaking.
- Melt the chocolate: Melt half of the chopped chocolate either by bain-marie or in the microwave. If using the microwave, heat in 30-second intervals stirring in between until smooth. Then add the remaining chopped chocolate and stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Coat the almonds: Add the cooled almonds to the melted chocolate and stir to coat evenly. Lift the almonds one by one with a fork, allowing excess chocolate to drip off.
- Set the chocolate: Place the coated almonds on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until the chocolate is firm.
- Optional clusters: For almond clusters, combine 5-6 coated almonds into small mounds using a large spoon and place them on the parchment to set.
Notes
- Making homemade chocolate covered almonds is easy and makes a fantastic gift.
- Roasting the almonds enhances their flavor and crunch.
- Using high-quality chocolate improves the final taste significantly.
- Letting excess chocolate drip off prevents clumpy coatings.
- Store finished almonds in an airtight container in the refrigerator for best freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 376 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 7 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg