These cocoa dusted almonds are so easy to make and are the perfect guilt-free snack for all of my fellow nut lovers!
Cocoa Dusted Almond Recipe Backstory
Both of my kids are candy fanatics. They can not get enough. I predicted that my daughter would still go trick or treating when she was in college and of course I was right. Now that she has graduated college, the trick or treating is out but she still loves her candy.
I made these cocoa almonds thinking that it is a sweet treat for my family but also has some nutritional value. It is the perfect afternoon snack.
These roasted almonds are not as sweet as the ones you can purchase at street fairs and carnivals. They don't have the thick candy coating which I admit everyone loves. But they do have a thin layer of honey and cinnamon topped off with a dusting of bittersweet cocoa. It is just the right amount of sweetness for me and the kids loved them as their after school snack.
You can make a large batch of these and store them in an air tight container. I would rather give my kids these over candy any day.
These cocoa almonds are also perfect for gift-giving, especially since the holidays are coming up. Make a batch of these and separate them into some Christmas- or Valentine's Day-themed bags and you've got a delicious custom gift!
Cocoa Almonds FAQ
How long will my cocoa dusted almonds last?
- As long as you store them in a cool, dry place and they are tightly wrapped, almonds can last a year and potentially even longer. But I like them to taste fresh so I usually don't store them for more than a month or so. Even though they technically won't go bad, they could get a bit stale tasting.
Variations
Here are a few options for ways to switch up these cocoa almonds and completely switch things up in the flavor department!
- Use maple syrup instead of honey, then substitute dark brown sugar for the cocoa powder for a delicious maple and brown sugar flavored snack.
- If you're a fan of chocolate and peanut butter together, halve the cocoa powder and use some peanut butter powder to evoke the classic combo.
- For a vegan version of this recipe, just replace the honey with some agave nectar, maple syrup, or Bee Free Honee.
- If you'd rather use another kind of nut, peanuts or cashews would also taste great in this recipe. You could even combine a few different kinds of nuts to make a delicious mix!
- In fact, if you threw in some raisins, chocolate candies, marshmallows, or cereal pieces, these cocoa almonds would make an excellent base for a trail mix.
More Recipes for Sweet Snacking
- Sweet Sriracha Almonds
- Mini Pumpkin Donut Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
- Pumpkin Monkey Bread Muffins
- Blueberry Yogurt Swirl Popsicles from Sally's Baking Addiction
- Ice Cream Sushi
- Concord Grape Muffins with Peanut Butter Glaze
If you like this recipe for cocoa dusted almonds, please give it a 5-star rating below!
Cocoa Dusted Almonds with Cinnamon and Honey
Ingredients
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- dash of salt
- 16 ounces raw almonds
- 1 TBS cocoa powder
- 1 TBS superfine sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium sized non stick frying pan, heat the honey on low heat. Mix in the cinnamon and salt.
- Stir in the almonds and continue to stir until they are completely coated.
- Spread the coated almonds onto the parchment paper in one layer. Roast for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking time. Make sure the almonds do not burn. Cool for 10 minutes.
- Mix together the cocoa and sugar in a zip lock bag. Add the almonds and shake until they are completely coated with the cocoa mixture.
- Store in a sealed container.
Nutrition
First Published April 2013; Updated October 2020
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I think my husband would go crazy over these.
I love almonds, kinda crazy about them. Thanks for this recipe - think it could be a great addition to the almond stash!
I could eat the whole bowl full of these beauties! They look and sound delicious.
Yum! Almonds are so good for you, too! Definitely a quality snack for the kids! Almonds are now on my shopping list for the week...can't wait to make these!
Sounds like the perfect compromise to candy! Lightly sweet is just right. I bet my kids would devour them!
My husband and I went trick or treating in college! It's fun no matter what age.
I just spent the day making batches and batches of nut filled toffee. Your recipe sound so much easier and just as good, I'm sure.
yep..a great change from the candy!
mmm, i would trade my candy in for these anyday!
These look so delicious and yummy! My husband is going to love these! Definitely going to be his favorite snack!
Love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for our family!
Ooh such wonderful flavors in these almonds! I love that cocoa coating. I am making a cheese board for Halloween and these would be the perfect addition!
I love how easy these sound to make. While I believe my son would like them as written, I think he'd love your suggestion to add peanut butter powder.
WOW! I never really understood how these are done; thanks so much for sharing. These can make great holiday gifts for friends and family. Also, the perfect trail mix base like you mentioned.