Blanched almond flour is a wheat flour alternative that’s all natural and delicious. It’s made purely from almonds and has become one of the best choices for a healthy type of baking flour.
If you’ve taken the time to browse our products, you’ve probably noticed that we provide two types of almond flour: blanched almond flour and unblanched almond flour. But, what’s the difference? And...what does blanched even mean?
To put it simply, blanched means that the almond skin has been removed from the nut. Raw almonds typically have a layer of red-brown skin enclosing the nut. The skin provides a different texture, depending on whether or not it remains in the flour. Blanched almond flour will contain no almond skin. Unblanched almond flour uses the entire almond – skin and all.
How Is an Almond Blanched?
To blanch an almond, simply drop it into boiling water. After a minute or two has passed, drain the almond with cold water. The skin should slide off easily. Once the skin is off, the almond is considered blanched.
What Are the Differences Between the Two Types of Flours?
When it comes to blanched Vs. unblanched almond flour, there are significant differences between the two. This can be seen in their weight, appearance, and texture – depending on how the flour is used.
Unblanched Almond Flour
Because unblanched almonds have their skin on, the almonds remain a red-brown color. This will cause the ground up flour to have the same red-brown flecks. The color can cause pastries or dishes to have a different appearance, which can be a con for some. However, many don’t mind the slight color differences and even find it much more appealing. Many also claim that unblanched almond flour is heavier than its blanched flour counterpart.
Unblanched almond-flour is also all-natural and has many health benefits. Almonds have been proven to improve skin, boost energy, and contains all sorts of vitamins and minerals. Nevertheless, according to Breaking the Vicious Cycle, unblanched almonds can also cause digestive problems for some (due to their fibrous nature).
Blanched Almond Flour
Blanched almond flour is typically preferred for its fine, smooth, and fluffy texture. Blanched almond flour is lighter and is much better for creating pastries. Because the almonds are white in color (having had the skin removed), the ground up flour will not make a difference to the appearance of your dish. Blanched almond flour also carries the same nutritional benefits as unblanched almond flour.
What Are Some Good Uses for Each Type of Almond Flour?
Almond flour (whether blanched or unblanched) is great for a variety of different recipes. It’s great for cakes, cookies, pie crust, pasta, and more. Almond flour has a slightly sweeter and nuttier flavor than regular flour, which can add a savory taste to many dishes. It’s also loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s, vitamin E, and other types of great vitamins and minerals.
To purchase some of our great unblanched or blanched almond flour, check out our products! Our almond flour is guaranteed to be gluten-free, vegan, and all natural. It’s also guaranteed to be a great addition to your dishes!
FAQs
Raw almonds typically have a layer of red-brown skin enclosing the nut. The skin provides a different texture, depending on whether or not it remains in the flour. Blanched almond flour will contain no almond skin. Unblanched almond flour uses the entire almond – skin and all.
Which is better, blanched or unblanched almonds? ›
There is a slightly greater difference with the vitamin E, B2, and manganese content between blanched and unblanched almonds, but it's not significant since they both are great sources of these nutrients. The biggest difference is the carbohydrate and fiber content.
Can you make almond flour with unblanched almonds? ›
There are 2 ways you can make Almond Flour at home. One way is to start from scratch with whole almonds (with their skin intact). The other one is to make with store bought blanched almonds or silvered almonds. In the first method we blanch the whole almonds first, then dry them well to remove any traces of moisture.
Can you eat Unblanched almond flour raw? ›
Unlike flour milled from grains, it's okay to eat almond flour raw, so go ahead and taste a bit of it if you're interested.
Can I use unblanched almond flour for macarons? ›
Blanched almond flour is usually preferred over unblanched flour because the skin has been removed and so it does not have the the speckles in the color. It creates a smoother batter texture and a brighter color for the macarons.
Is blanched almond flour healthier than Unblanched? ›
Blanched almond flour is lighter and is much better for creating pastries. Because the almonds are white in color (having had the skin removed), the ground up flour will not make a difference to the appearance of your dish. Blanched almond flour also carries the same nutritional benefits as unblanched almond flour.
Does blanching almonds destroy nutrients? ›
Blanched Almonds are highly nutritious, although removing the skin from the nut reduces its overall nutritional value compared to raw almonds. The nuts are a significant source of protein and monounsaturated fats, shown in research to reduce LDL cholesterol within the body.
How many almonds to make 1 cup of almond flour? ›
One cup of slivered almonds = about one cup of almond flour.
One 8 oz. bag of these raw blanched slivered almonds turned into exactly 2 cups of almond flour–> just what you need for my almond flour cookie recipe! Only proess one cup of almonds at a time.
Is it cheaper to buy or make almond flour? ›
Not only is it simple to make, but homemade almond flour tastes fresher and is usually more cost-effective than storebought.
Is blanched almond flour inflammatory? ›
Almond flour is high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can be inflammatory in large amounts. Wheat flour is lower in fat than almond and coconut flour, but the mix of high carbs and low fat makes wheat flour a poor choice for anyone looking to keep blood sugar levels low.
Nuts have oils in them that can make nut flours go rancid sooner than their wheat-based counterparts. You'll want to taste a bit of the flour to really judge whether it's good—it will taste rancid if it isn't.
Is Unblanched almond flour Keto? ›
Because blanched and unblanched almond flour is made from the same product, almonds, they are both great low carb flour choices. When deciding which baking flour to use to create keto treats, it comes down to preference.
Do you need to use xanthan gum when baking with almond flour? ›
The Basic Baking Guidelines
Our chef prefers to add a little xanthan gum or cornstarch to the almond flour to help with the texture, though it is not entirely necessary to do so. Almond flour is pretty forgiving in that regard.
Why are my almond macaroons flat? ›
A: Flat macarons could be the result of undermixing the batter or insufficient resting time after piping. Ensure you achieve the right consistency through proper macaronage and let them rest until a skin forms before baking.
Why do almonds need to be blanched? ›
Blanching almonds provides three solutions that you might find worthy of the time: Texture – gain a smoother texture in a sauce or cream. Flavor – gain a smoother flavor without tannic bitterness. Aesthetics – gain a visual dish without the brown specks of the skins.
Can I use raw almonds instead of blanched? ›
In most instances, skin-on almonds will work just as well as blanched ones. But there are three reasons you might decide to do it. The first is texture. As I mentioned, almond skins can be papery, especially once they get wet.
Do blanched almonds have less phytic acid? ›
Luckily, phytic acid is hardly present in blanched almonds since it's found mainly in the skin of the almond.
Does blanching almonds remove cyanide? ›
Bitter almonds are those that naturally contain a toxin that your body breaks down into cyanide — a compound that can cause poisoning and even death. For this reason, raw bitter almonds should not be eaten. Boiling, roasting, or microwaving bitter almonds may help reduce their toxin content and make them safer to eat.
