Air Fryer Almonds
Air fryer almonds are roasted, salted and crunchy in under 15 minutes, and you control the salt. Raw almonds are tossed with a teaspoon of olive oil, sea salt and smoked paprika, then cooked in a single layer at 160°C for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. They taste fresher than shop-bought roasted nuts.
- Total
- 23 min
- Prep
- 2 min
- Cook
- 11 min
- Serves
- 6
- Per 1 handful (about 35g)
- 205kcal
Choosing almonds for air fryer almonds
Raw, skin-on almonds give the best flavour and crunch. Pre-roasted or salted nuts will burn at this temperature and end up too salty. Roasting at a moderate 160°C toasts the middle without scorching the skin, which is thin and quick to darken.
Spread the nuts in a single layer so the hot air reaches every one. A standard 4–5 litre basket holds 200g comfortably, but if you want to cook more, do it in two batches. If you have no smoked paprika, use garlic granules or rosemary, which also suits the almonds well.
Air fryer almonds method
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Coat the nuts Put the almonds in a bowl with the olive oil and stir until every nut has a thin film of oil. Add the salt and paprika and stir again so the seasoning sticks.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 160°C for .
- Roast Tip the almonds into the basket in a single layer. Cook at 160°C for , shaking the basket after . Check them from : they are ready when they smell toasted and are a shade darker. Cut one in half to check that the middle is pale golden, not raw.
- Cool Tip the almonds onto a baking tray in a single layer and leave them for . They are soft when hot and crisp up as they cool.
Ideas for serving air fryer almonds
Swap the paprika for ½ tsp of garlic granules, a pinch of chilli flakes or 1 tsp of finely chopped rosemary, and add the herbs at the same stage as the salt. Rosemary burns if it is dry, so make sure it is coated in oil first.
Eat them straight from the bowl, scatter them over salads, or put out a dish with drinks. For a sweet version, try air fryer candied almonds. For a savoury, umami-rich take, look at soy-roasted almonds.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Almonds
- The almonds taste bitter or burnt.
- They went past golden. The skins darken quickly after 6 minutes, so check early, and take the basket out as soon as they smell toasted. Remember that they keep cooking on the hot tray.
- The almonds are still soft after cooling.
- They were under-roasted or still warm. Give them another 1–2 minutes at 160°C, then cool them for the full 10 minutes in a single layer.
- The salt and paprika slide off.
- There was not enough oil to hold the seasoning. Use the full teaspoon and stir until the nuts have a thin sheen.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Almonds
How long do you cook almonds in the air fryer?
8 minutes at 160°C, shaking the basket halfway. Smaller batches may be done at 6 minutes.
How long do roasted almonds keep?
Up to 2 weeks in an airtight jar at room temperature, once they have cooled completely.
Can you roast almonds without oil?
Yes, but the salt will not stick. Toss the nuts with a few drops of water and the salt instead, then roast as in the method.
Can you use flaked or blanched almonds?
Yes, but they cook much faster. Flaked almonds take 3–4 minutes at 150°C, and blanched whole almonds about 6 minutes at 160°C. Watch them closely.
How did you like the recipe?
4.8 / 5 · 5 ratings
