Almond meal is a naturally gluten-free baking staple. Learn how to make your own almond meal at home with a quick and easy recipe.


How to Make Almond Meal at Home: Simple Almond Meal Recipe

Almond meal is a type of nut flour made from ground almonds. It has a mild, nutty taste. Like [almond butter](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-butter) and [almond milk](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-milk), almond meal is a source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and monounsaturated fats. It is an easy replacement for wheat flour to make recipes gluten free.

Almond meal and [almond flour](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/almond-flour-recipe) are both made by grinding almonds to a fine powder. At the grocery store, you might see bags labeled “almond flour” and “almond meal” that contain an identical product. Almond meal and almond flour can be used interchangeably, but there are two slight differences:

- __Almond flour is made from blanched almonds__. Some recipes identify almond flour as a type of flour made from blanched, skinless almonds. Almond flour is lighter and more uniform in color, but the flavor is the same as the speckled kind made from skin-on whole almonds.
- __Almond meal may be more coarsely ground__. Some recipes call for almond meal to indicate that the almonds should be more coarsely ground than flour. When it comes to homemade almond meal or flour, expect a slightly coarser consistency than store-bought almond flour.
You can use homemade almond flour in various sweet and savory applications, such as:

1. __Frangipane__: This [French almond cream](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/frangipane-recipe) is a traditional base for fruit tarts and pies. It is made from almond meal, butter, eggs, and sugar. 
2. __Breading__: Almond meal can be a grain-free substitute for breadcrumbs, and it can add texture and extra protein to breaded chicken tenders and meatballs. 
3. __French macarons__: [Macarons](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-macarons-french-macaroons-basic-french-macaron-recipe) are gluten-free almond meringue cookie sandwiches filled with ganache, buttercream, or jam. Almond meal gives these treats their signature chew.
4. __Chocolate chip cookies__: Swap part of the wheat flour in your favorite cookie recipe for almond meal for a nuttier, chewier cookie. 
5. __Brownies__: Nuts and chocolate are a classic combination. Add almond meal to brownie batter—or swap it with wheat flour—to make brownies that are more tender than cake-like.
6. __Quick breads__: When combined with wheat flour, a small amount of almond meal will keep [muffins](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/one-easy-muffin-recipe-endless-muffin-variations) and quick breads (like banana bread) tender and light while adding a touch of nuttiness.
7. __Pancakes and waffles__: Almond meal is often used as part of a blend of gluten-free flours to make gluten-free versions of [pancakes](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-the-best-pancakes-tips-and-recipe-for-homemade-pancakes) and waffles.
8. __Sauces__: In India, finely ground almonds and cashews are commonly used to thicken sauces and gravies.
Almond meal is a naturally gluten-free baking staple. Learn how to make your own almond meal at home with a quick and easy recipe.


Almond meal is a type of nut flour made from ground almonds. It has a mild, nutty taste. Like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-butter' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-butter","linkCopy":"almond butter","category":null}'>almond butter</a> and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-milk' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-almond-milk","linkCopy":"almond milk","category":null}'>almond milk</a>, almond meal is a source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and monounsaturated fats. It is an easy replacement for wheat flour to make recipes gluten free.

What Is Almond Meal? 

Almond meal and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/almond-flour-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/almond-flour-recipe","linkCopy":"almond flour","category":null}'>almond flour</a> are both made by grinding almonds to a fine powder. At the grocery store, you might see bags labeled “almond flour” and “almond meal” that contain an identical product. Almond meal and almond flour can be used interchangeably, but there are two slight differences:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Almond flour is made from blanched almonds. Some recipes identify almond flour as a type of flour made from blanched, skinless almonds. Almond flour is lighter and more uniform in color, but the flavor is the same as the speckled kind made from skin-on whole almonds. </li><li class="">Almond meal may be more coarsely ground. Some recipes call for almond meal to indicate that the almonds should be more coarsely ground than flour. When it comes to homemade almond meal or flour, expect a slightly coarser consistency than store-bought almond flour. </li></ul>

Almond Meal vs. Almond Flour: What’s the Difference

You can use homemade almond flour in various sweet and savory applications, such as:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Frangipane: This <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/frangipane-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/frangipane-recipe","linkCopy":"French almond cream","category":null}'>French almond cream</a> is a traditional base for fruit tarts and pies. It is made from almond meal, butter, eggs, and sugar. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Breading: Almond meal can be a grain-free substitute for breadcrumbs, and it can add texture and extra protein to breaded chicken tenders and meatballs. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. French macarons: <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-macarons-french-macaroons-basic-french-macaron-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-macarons-french-macaroons-basic-french-macaron-recipe","linkCopy":"Macarons","category":null}'>Macarons</a> are gluten-free almond meringue cookie sandwiches filled with ganache, buttercream, or jam. Almond meal gives these treats their signature chew. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Chocolate chip cookies: Swap part of the wheat flour in your favorite cookie recipe for almond meal for a nuttier, chewier cookie. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Brownies: Nuts and chocolate are a classic combination. Add almond meal to brownie batter—or swap it with wheat flour—to make brownies that are more tender than cake-like. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Quick breads: When combined with wheat flour, a small amount of almond meal will keep <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/one-easy-muffin-recipe-endless-muffin-variations' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/one-easy-muffin-recipe-endless-muffin-variations","linkCopy":"muffins","category":null}'>muffins</a> and quick breads (like banana bread) tender and light while adding a touch of nuttiness. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Pancakes and waffles: Almond meal is often used as part of a blend of gluten-free flours to make gluten-free versions of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-the-best-pancakes-tips-and-recipe-for-homemade-pancakes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-the-best-pancakes-tips-and-recipe-for-homemade-pancakes","linkCopy":"pancakes","category":null}'>pancakes</a> and waffles. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 8. Sauces: In India, finely ground almonds and cashews are commonly used to thicken sauces and gravies. </li></ol>

8 Ways to Use Almond Meal 

Simple Almond Meal Recipe

Almond meal is a naturally gluten-free baking staple. Learn how to make your own almond meal at home with a quick and easy recipe.