It is easy to make almond flour! Use these directions for how to make almond meal, also known as almond flour to make it in your blender or food processor.
I like using almond meal in recipes in place of flour. It is healthy and naturally gluten-free, but it can be quite expensive. I started experimenting with making my own almond meal from organic almonds that I purchased in bulk. I have discovered that you can make almond meal (which is also called almond flour or almond powder) several different ways, and they are all quite easy.
How to Make Almond Meal
To make almond meal all you need is almonds and a blender, food processor, or a very clean coffee grinder.
You can use blanched almonds (almonds with the skin removed) or unblanched almonds to make your almond flour. I usually use unblanched almonds, unless I have a recipe that specifically calls for blanched almond meal.
Tips for Making Almond Meal
You can use whole almonds or almond slivers to make almond flour. If I use whole almonds, I coarsely chop them before grinding them.
Use a sifter. After grinding your almonds for about 20 seconds put the almond meal through a flour sifter. The fine almond flour will go through and the pieces that still need to be ground will stay in the sifter and you can put them back in the blender to process them for a few more seconds.
Do not over process the almonds or you will end up with almond butter, which is delicious, but not helpful if you need almond flour for baking. For this reason, I like to work in small batches, so I don't over process any of the almonds.
Almond Meal (Almond Flour) Recipe
Ingredients:
- Almonds
Directions:
- Coarsely chop whole almonds if necessary.
- Place ½ cup almonds in food processor, blender or coffee grinder.
- Pulse for 15 – 20 seconds or until your almonds have a flour-like consistency.
- Sift the almond meal through a flour sifter and reprocess any large particles.
- Repeat until you have the needed amount of flour.
Printable Directions for How to Make Almond Meal
- Almonds
- Coarsely chop whole almonds if necessary.
- Place ½ cup almonds in food processor, blender or coffee grinder.
- Pulse for 15 - 20 seconds or until your almonds have a flour-like consistency.
- Sift the almond meal through a flour sifter and reprocess any large particles.
- Repeat until you have the needed amount of flour.
Kelly says
January 27, 2013 at 3:36 pmHow timely! I just looked at almond meal in the store today, and it’s $10/pound here! Almonds aren’t cheap; I get it. But still.
Thanks for posting this!
Alea says
January 27, 2013 at 4:33 pmKelly, look in the bulk food sections. I often find great sales on almonds there.
Cyndi says
January 27, 2013 at 4:04 pmWhen I make almond milk, I use the leftover pulp after draining as my almond flour/meal. 🙂 You just need to dehydrate it and grind into flour if it’s too coarse.
Alea says
January 27, 2013 at 4:32 pmWhat a great idea Cyndi! Thanks for sharing it.
Beth @ Aunt B's Kitchen says
January 27, 2013 at 7:43 pmlol! I didn’t even know you could buy it! I’ve always ground my own.
Barb @ Frugal Local Kitchen says
January 29, 2013 at 7:16 amI’ve been buying almond meal/flour at Trader Joe’s though it would be nice to be able to make my own. I saw blanched almond slices at Costco last week. I know I took a picture of the price. I’ll have to see how much they were.
Beth says
March 22, 2013 at 6:03 pmThis is a great post. Thanks for sharing. I’m trying to healthy things up, but still have a “normal” bread for sandwiches and french toast for my four year old. Your last comment was exactly what I’ve been looking for, Alea. many thanks.
Grace @ Perpetual Nomming says
May 10, 2013 at 9:03 amI don’t think I can buy almond flour over here in China, so thankfully I’ve brought back those huge bags of almonds from Costco! I’ll need to try this soon