20 Recipes That Prove Adding Almonds Is Always A Good Idea

oven roasted asparagus on a white oval dish


Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Whether they’re lending their rich, buttery crunch on top of

oven-baked casseroles

and side dishes or flavoring desserts in the form of ground flour or extract, almonds improve any dish they’re added to. These tree nuts enhance the flavor of savory green beans, make a crunchy crust for meats or muffins, and add a nutty sweetness to cakes and cookies. The following almond recipes are just a few of our favorite ways to use these crunchy little flavor bombs.


01


of 20



Raspberry- Almond Muffins With Honey Butter

Raspberry-Almond Muffins with Honey Butter


Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Almond flour gives these muffins an especially tender crumb, as well as that signature almond-y sweetness.


02


of 20



Baked Almond French Toast With Maple-Blackberry Syrup

Baked Almond French Toast with Maple-Blackberry Syrup


Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford

Is it breakfast or dessert? You decide! A hint of almond extract and crunchy almonds on top make this baked French toast a hit.


03


of 20



Coconut-Almond Cream Cake

Coconut-Almond Cream Cake


Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Almonds team up with coconut to flavor this cake from top to bottom, and inside-out.


04


of 20



Almond Snowballs

Almond Snowballs

Ground toasted almonds give these powdery confections the most lovely, crumbly texture.


05


of 20



Chocolate Icebox Cake

Chocolate Icebox Cake


Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Layered with ladyfingers that soak up the chocolate and almond-flavored filling, this dessert reminds us of

Italian tiramisu

.


06


of 20



Christmas Wreath Pastry

Christmas Wreath Pastry

Southern Living


Also sold as marzipan, almond paste packs this gorgeous pastry wreath with an almondy punch.


07


of 20



Lemon Meringue Cheesecake

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox


Almonds add body to this stunning cheesecake’s cookie crumb crust.


08


of 20



Cranberry-Almond Cookies

Cranberry-Almond Cookies


Ralph Anderson; Styling: Mary Lyn Hill

Calling all almond lovers—these festive cookies are just what you’re looking for.


09


of 20



Herbed Chicken-And-Rice Salad

Herbed Chicken-and-Rice Salad

ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLING: ALI RAMEE; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY


Toss almonds into this easy

rotisserie chicken recipe

to make a weeknight dinner feel a little bit fancy.


10


of 20



Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole

Southern Living Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole with a serving scooped out onto a teal plate

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless


Almonds aren’t just for dessert! Here, they dress up a classic, comforting casserole for company.


11


of 20



Two-Layer Pimiento-And-Cheese Dip With Smoked Almonds

Two-Layer Pimiento And Cheese Dip With Smoked Almonds

Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Micah Morton; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch


The crunch and nutty flavor of almonds in this dip adds a nice contrast to its Cheddar and cream cheese base.


12


of 20



Hot Chicken Salad

Hot Chicken Salad - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


When it comes to creamy casseroles, almonds are the perfect way to add a contrasting crunch.


13


of 20



Green Bean Almondine

green bean almondine


Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin

Like

trout almondine

minus the fish, this side dish is one of our favorite ways to eat green beans.


14


of 20



Stovetop Rice Pudding

Skillet Rice Pudding

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn


Rice pudding is one of the creamiest, most comforting desserts out there. Buttery toasted almonds provide a lovely crunch.


15


of 20



Quick And Easy Cream Cheese Danish

Southern Living Quick and Easy Cream Cheese Danish on a board to serve

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist Christine Keely


A sprinkle of toasted almonds gives these easy homemade pastries a bakery-style look; stir a drop of almond extract into the glaze for an extra punch.


16


of 20



Farro Salad

Southern Living Farro Salad in a large bowl to serve

Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Costen King, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel


Smoked almonds stand out without stealing the show in this farro salad filled with grains.


17


of 20



Fruitcake

Southern Living Fruit Cake sliced and ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Slivered almonds and pecan halves add a nice crunch and toothsome chew to this

classic fruitcake recipe

.


18


of 20



Million Dollar Dip

million dollar dip on a tray with crudites and crackers

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley


Almonds add just the right texture to this delicious deconstructed cheese ball. Serve alongside crackers or crostini for the ultimate almond appetizer.


19


of 20



Million Dollar Chicken

Southern Living Million Dollar Chicken on a plate to serve

Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless


In keeping with the million-dollar theme, this chicken dish is rich and decadent. We add almonds in the cream cheese and bacon topping and garnish with more after baking.


20


of 20



Oven-Roasted Asparagus

oven roasted asparagus on a white oval dish

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Slivered almonds instantly transform a sleepy side into a company-worthy dish.