How to make almond petals at home

Almond flakes (also known as almond flakes or slices) are included in a wide variety of dessert recipes and are also used to decorate cakes and pastries. You can buy this ingredient in specialty stores for 1,000 rubles per 500 grams, but we'll tell you how to make delicious natural almond flakes at home.

What are almond petals?

The first people to slice nuts into slabs were in Switzerland. By the early 20th century, these slices had become an essential ingredient in muesli mixes.

This unique decoration for cakes and desserts can be made at home quite quickly and easily. All you need is fresh almonds (roasted almonds won't be able to be sliced, as they become brittle when cooked).

Fresh almonds are significantly more affordable than pre-sliced ​​almonds, especially if you buy at least 1 kg of pits and prepare a large batch of slices for a variety of culinary creations.

How to make almond petals

The recipe has remained the same for many years and doesn't require expensive equipment. Therefore, knowing how to make almond slices at home will allow you to always replenish your almond slice stock or create the freshest and crispiest almond slices for your holiday cake.

We offer you a step-by-step recipe for preparing this delicious treat.

1. Soak fresh, unpeeled almonds in hot water for about 12 hours (or up to 24 hours). Be sure to soak them in hot water, not boiling water, otherwise the almonds will turn yellow and lose their nutritional value.
2. After the time has elapsed, drain the water and dry the kernels lightly with a paper towel.
3. Blanched almond pits need to be peeled. Once wet, the skins come off easily by hand.
4. Peeled almonds can be grated or sliced ​​with a sharp knife. Many home cooks prefer to grate almonds, as slicing them thinly with a knife is much more difficult.
5. All that remains is to dry or roast the almond slices in the oven (depending on the desired taste).

For more information on how to make natural almond flakes at home, watch this video:

Nutritional value and calories

Nutritional value of almond petals per 100 g of product:

Are almond flakes healthy?

Natural almonds are a source of such important microelements for human health as:

• calcium;
• magnesium;
• iron;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• tocopherol;
• B vitamins;
• unsaturated fats;
• amino acids;
• flavonoids of plant origin.

It's also worth remembering that almonds themselves and the almond petals made from the pits are a powerful allergen. According to statistics, an allergic reaction to nuts occurs in 2% of people. Almond allergies are most often diagnosed in those who have already had a similar reaction to walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, pine nuts, peanuts, or sunflower seeds.

Scope of use

You're probably interested in how to make almond slices to decorate desserts and cakes, but the uses for slices are much broader.

• Finely slivered almonds can be added to coffee (most often found in almond latte or recipes using almond syrup or alternative milk).
• Almond slices are also indispensable in many salads, as the bright almond flavor pairs beautifully not only with various berry and fruit bases but also complements the flavor of chicken, turkey, or shrimp. Many also enjoy pairing almonds with various types of cheese.

Now you know how to make delicious and healthy almond flakes at home. Share your ideas for using this aromatic ingredient in the comments.