20+ “Foolproof” Almond Flour Recipes For Beginners
Published on January 17, 2020 · Updated on July 23, 2022 · By Aysegul Sanford
Almond flour recipes that are perfect for beginners. Whether you are on a low carb diet or just want to bake in a healthier way, almond flour is a great choice to use in baked goods. Check out my 20+ “foolproof” low carb, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened almond flour recipes that are perfect for beginners and those of you who are just looking for recipes with almond meal.
In addition to answering the question of “What can I make with almond flour?”, below I will find answer some of the most frequently asked questions about cooking and baking with almond flour and almond meal, also referred to as grain-free baking.
If you have been following Foolproof Living for a while, you know that I have been very intentional about sharing recipes made with unrefined sugars. This was a decision that I made back in 2016, simply because I wanted to learn to bake in a healthier way.
The problem was that I had very little idea about baking without the use of conventional ingredients like all-purpose flour and granulated sugar. So I bought a few cookbooks related to the subject and started baking. Along the way, I have also been introduced to baking with almond flour.
Now after five years of recipe testing, almond flour (aka ground almonds) is one of my favorite flours to bake with. I also think that it is a great alternative to baked goods made with all-purpose flour.
Below, I am sharing a few of my favorite recipes made with almond flour that I make over and over again, and know for sure, that are “foolproof”. Feel free to click on the name of the dish or the photo to get the recipe.
In between the recipes you will also find the answers to some of the questions I had when I first started baking with almond flour.
What is Almond Flour?
Almond flour is basically blanched almonds ground in a blender or food processor until they are pulverized. The only ingredient in almond flour is almonds.
What is the difference between almond meal and almond flour?
There are two differences between almond meal and almond flour. The first one is its texture. Almond flour is a more coarse grind than almond meal.
The second difference is that almond meal is made with grinding almonds with the skin on, whilst almond flour is made with blanched (skins removed) almonds.
The good thing is that unless otherwise noted, you can use almond flour and almond meal interchangeably in all of the recipes below.
I heard from so many of my readers that they would love to healthy baked goods more often using these almond flour recipes, but they found supermarket almond flour to be too expensive to use on a regular basis. As a food blogger, who tests recipes over and over again, I can totally relate.
That is why I wrote a whole post on how to make your own almond flour or meal at home. In that blog post, you will find my two methods to make almond flour cheaper: The first method is using a food processor and the second one is using a high-powered blender like Vitamix.
This basic almond flour recipe is the one I use and test my recipes.
Recipes Using Almond Flour (Healthy Almond Flour Recipes)
Before I answer this question, please know that I am a firm believer that the word “healthy” means different things to different people, so please take my response here with a grain of salt and listen to your doctor’s advice before mine. However, it is a fact that almond flour is low in carbs, high in fiber and plant protein, and it is a gluten-free flour. Additionally, if you are experimenting with Whole30 friendly or paleo baking, it is the perfect flour to use.
Though the reason why I love using almond flour in baking and think that it is a healthier alternative is because of its high-fat content. Almonds are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, which are the good kind. (source)
Due to its high-fat content, in the Almond Flour Chocolate Cake recipe above I was able to omit using any other fat (like butter, coconut oil, EVOO, etc.). The fat that came from the almond flour was enough to substitute any other fat and gave me a chocolatey and moist chocolate cake in the end.
Now, I have to warn you, this formula doesn’t work in every recipe, but I have been playing around with decreasing the amount of fat I use in my recipes and have found success often. If you are into experimenting, I recommend starting with my chocolate cake recipe and then playing around with some of your go-to recipes.
These almond flour cookies are yet another great example of baking with almond flour without the need of adding a lot of oil. Due to its high-fat content, you can easily get away with using only 1/4 cup of oil to make delicious cookies.
Made with only 6-ingredients, these gluten-free almond flour cookies are easy to make. They come together in one bowl and take just about 30 minutes from start to finish. I added some chocolate chips, but you can easily make it without if that is what you prefer.
It is made in one bowl with only 6 ingredients. Plus, I have a few tricks to take it to a whole other level, especially for those who just can’t get enough chocolate.
Need more cookies with almond flour? I thought so.
These Almond Flour Gingerbread Cookies are my favorite Christmas cookies. They are lightly sweetened with coconut sugar and flavored with some warm spices like cinnamon and ginger.
I like these recipes because they come together rather quickly and freeze well. I usually make a batch over the weekend and enjoy a slice with my morning coffee throughout the week.
If you are in need of a carrot cake recipe using almond flour (or almond meal) that is paleo-friendly and gluten-free, try this Almond Flour Carrot Cake recipe.
Sweetened with coconut sugar and fresh pineapples, it is perfect for all your spring gatherings. I spread it with vegan cream cheese frosting, but you can also use my maple cream cheese frosting as well.
If you are a fan of fruity almond flour desserts, this almond flour apple cake recipe is a great one to try. Lightly sweetened with fresh apple slices and a little bit of maple syrup, it is the perfect gluten free coffee cake recipe, especially during the fall when apples are in abundance.
Can I use almond flour and almond meal interchangeably?
I hate to say it, but it depends on the recipe. While you can use them interchangeably in most almond flour dessert recipes, there are some that would not work. A good example is macarons. If you have ever tried your hand at baking macarons, you know that almond flour has to be very coarse, so, therefore, almond meal would not be a substitute.
The best way to know is to read the recipe. Luckily nowadays, most recipe testers specify it in their recipes. The recipe for Almond Ricotta Cake is one that you can use either or. And if you need an almond flour cake recipe from scratch, this is a great recipe to start with.
Speaking of cake recipes, you might also like my Almond Flour Lemon Cake recipe that is based on my go-to Almond Flour Cake. You can use almond meal and almond flour interchangeably in both of these recipes.
This almond flour bread is a great example of a recipe where you can use almond flour and almond meal interchangeably.
Based on my years of experience of baking with almond flour, I found that (unless otherwise is mentioned in the recipe) you can use almond flour and almond meal interchangeably when baking quick breads and muffins. Like I did with the almond flour banana bread recipe below.
This easy to make gluten-free and refined sugar-free almond flour banana bread recipe is sweetened with coconut sugar and ripened bananas. I topped it off with chocolate chips but it is optional.
If I am planning to use it right away, I store my almond flour in an airtight jar in my pantry. With that being said, you can freeze almond flour. If there is a sale or promotion going on in the market, I usually buy more than I need and store it in my freezer (up to 4 months). Since it is more expensive than most other flours, it makes it cost-effective to purchase more to use later in my baking.
If you decide to freeze your almond flour, it is best to take it out of the freezer and let it thaw on the counter overnight.
And if you need a vegan almond flour recipe, this Vegan Cranberry Almond tart is the best. Just sayin’.
Can I use almond flour along with other types of flours in my baking?
You sure can. As a matter of fact, most recipes use almond flour along with other healthier flours like coconut and oat flours. The Flourless Blueberry Muffins (Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins Recipe) you see above is one of my favorite muffins of all times and it is made with mixing together almond flour with coconut flour.
These almond flour banana muffins are another good example of using almond flour with another flour in a recipe.
The combination of almond flour mixed in with coconut flour produces a soft and moist muffin recipe that is naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and coconut sugar.
Can I use almond flour interchangeably with other flours like coconut, oat, or all-purpose flours?
Again, it depends on the recipe. Each one of these flours has their own characteristics and it is really hard to give you an exact ratio. I found baking with coconut flour is the hardest as it absorbs liquid more than any other flours, whereas oat flour has been a much easier one to work with.
I have been experimenting with adding/removing and substituting almond flour in my favorite recipes with other flours, and sadly have not been able to find success in a formula that works for every recipe.
I just can’t imagine a better dessert made with almond flour. This Almond Flour Strawberry Cake is my go-to birthday cake. You can easily make it in two 6-inch cake pans or in one 9-inch cake pan.
Most of the time, I use my maple whipped cream on top (and in between) and decorate it with whatever fresh fruit is in season.
Did you know you can make an almond flour pie crust that you can use for your favorite tart recipes? This Strawberry Mascarpone Tart uses an easy to make an almond meal pie crust that you can make both with almond flour and almond meal. It is my go-to almond flour crust recipe I use for all my baking needs.
Have you got 10 minutes, two bowls, and a whisk? If so, these almond flour blueberry muffins will take you to the blueberry muffin heaven.
These delicious Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins with Almond Flour are sweetened with maple syrup and packed with juicy blueberries. The little pockets of warm, fresh blueberries and bright lemon flavor will keep you going back for more.
Did you know you can still make delicious fluffy pancakes using almond flour or almond meal? This almond flour pancakes recipe is simply delicious and so easy to make.
Sweetened with a ripe banana, all of the ingredients come together in a blender and the batter is ready in less than 30 seconds. These delicious gluten and dairy-free almond flour pancakes are so delicious to make on a weekend morning for the whole family!
I hope amongst some of my favorite healthy baked recipes you were able to find some almond flour dessert recipes you can make for your family. I plan on updating this post as I share newer almond flour recipes so feel free to check back to get more inspiration.
Almond Flour Cookies – A reader favorite almond flour recipe
Almond Flour Cookies with Chocolate Chips – A reader favorite and the most popular almond flour recipe on Foolproof Living. This gluten-free, refined-sugar free, paleo and vegan cookie recipe is the easiest one you could ever make. All you need is 6 ingredients, one bowl and 30 minutes (from start to finish.)
Pre-heat oven to 350 F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside.
Mix together almond flour, salt, and baking soda in a bowl.
Stir in the oil and maple syrup into the batter.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Using a tablespoon-size measuring spoon, scoop the dough onto the prepared sheet pan. Gently press down to flatten. If preffered, place an almond in the center of each cookie.
Bake for 12-14 minutes until it is lightly browned on top. Serve.
Hello Friend! I’m Aysegul but you can call me “Ice.” I’m the cook/recipe-tester/photographer behind this site.
If you’re looking for approachable, yet creative recipes made with everyday ingredients, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’re all about recipes that has been meticulously tested to provide you with a truly foolproof cooking experience regardless of your level of cooking.
Dear Aysegul,
Thank you so much for the chocolate brownie recipe. It was amazing. I didn’t have maple syrup so I used homemade rosehyp syrup instead.
Looking forward to try more of your healthy bakes.
Hi Amy,
I think you can use a mild olive oil in place of coconut oil in every one of these almond flour recipes. However, substituting maple syrup depends on the recipe. Date sugar is a great alternative but you would have to adjust the amount based on the recipe you are using. I tested most of these ground almond recipes with honey and included a note in the recipe card of each one. If your daughter is not allergic to honey, I would recommend starting with honey and then adjusting the sweetener to according to your tastebuds.
Hope this helps.
Oh my gosh, these are some of the BEST cookies I’ve ever made. Plus… thank you SO much for the almond flour desserts and almond meal recipes you share. With trying to go all “almond flour” for my favorite recipes, I’ve been having a hard time finding any… but not now! Your site is FULL of good ones. Thank you!
I just made these almond flour cookies with my 6-year old. They disappeared in minutes. We used almond meal because that’s all we had. Next time I will try to make it with honey.
Please share more almond flour desserts. We love them.
Awwww that makes me so happy Hannah. I hope she enjoyed baking with you. I plan on sharing more for sure. Thanks for coming by and taking the time to leave a review.Cheers!
Having been a follower for a while now I have made many of these almond meal recipes. And I have to say, I have enjoyed every single one that I tried. I especially love your almond flour cake recipes. The one with chocolate is my go-to.
Thanks for sharing such easy recipes. Almond flour desserts are the best!
It is a favorite of ours too. 🙂 I am about to share an almond flour birthday cake recipe. I hope you try that one too. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review Jenny.
I can’t believe the almond flour cookies turn out so nice and it is VERY EASY to make! No butter, no sugar, I won’t feel “guilty” of making cookies for kids again.
I have recently been diagnosed with two genetic mutations and through that discovered that food was causing a lot of my attacks. My body doesn’t retain potassium correctly, so because of that my new diet consists of needing a very low sodium, low carbs and low sugar intake. I decided to use almond flour to help lower the amount of carbs I eat and was at a loss on how to get started. I’ve never baked before in my life. I found your page and I’m absolutely happy that I did. Your recipes are so detailed that I was able to easily make a list on the type of baking equipment that I would need. That was a life safer in helping me feel more confident in what I was doing. I made 3 recipes so far, almond flour bread, blueberry muffins and cookies. I was amazed at how simple your recipes are to follow and how perfect the recipes came out. Since this was my first time baking, I was expecting some trial and error to happen, but all 3 recipes came out perfect! Plus, my kids loved the recipes too! Thank you!
Dear Elizabeth,
I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
This note made my day and it made me feel like my years of hard work finally paid off.
Thank you for acknowledging my efforts. I am beyond thrilled to hear that my recipes worked for you.
I plan on publishing many more almond flour desserts and cannot wait for you to try them as well.
Thanks again.
Cheers,
Aysegul
I love using almond flour in my baking. I just made your chocolate cake and it came out AMAZING! It taste even better than with regular all-purpose flour. Your almond flour cookies are next on my list 😉
These cookies and all your almond flour desserts are so SO good. My son has celiac disease so we have to be very careful with him consuming gluten. Your recipes are a life saver.
Thank you.
Himm… I am sorry to hear that. I wonder if your oven is too hot?
Can you please give me more information? Did you follow the recipe exactly as it was written? Did you change any of the ingredients?
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Carol Andrews
Haven’t made these yet, but I know the almond flour cookies will work just by reading ingredients. 🥰👍.
I’m interested in recipes without sugar. 🥰🥰🥰🇬🇧
Aysegul Sanford
Sounds good. Hope you like them Carol.
Olya
Dear Aysegul,
Thank you so much for the chocolate brownie recipe. It was amazing. I didn’t have maple syrup so I used homemade rosehyp syrup instead.
Looking forward to try more of your healthy bakes.
Aysegul Sanford
I am so happy to hear that you liked our almond brownie recipe Olya. Thanks so much for coming back and leaving a review. It is much appreciated.
Amy
Are the nutrition facts for one cookie? Or the batch ?
Aysegul Sanford
It is per one cookie.
Hope this helps.
Maria
I have made the almond cookies with olive oil because I didn’t have coconut oil and they came out delicious.
Thank you for sharing your recipes
Aysegul Sanford
Thanks for sharing your experience Maria. I am happy to hear that you liked them.
Aim
My daughter is allergic to coconut and maple syrup . Could I used olive oil ? And maybe date sugar? Or molasses?
Aysegul Sanford
Hi Amy,
I think you can use a mild olive oil in place of coconut oil in every one of these almond flour recipes. However, substituting maple syrup depends on the recipe. Date sugar is a great alternative but you would have to adjust the amount based on the recipe you are using. I tested most of these ground almond recipes with honey and included a note in the recipe card of each one. If your daughter is not allergic to honey, I would recommend starting with honey and then adjusting the sweetener to according to your tastebuds.
Hope this helps.
Terri
Oh my gosh, these are some of the BEST cookies I’ve ever made. Plus… thank you SO much for the almond flour desserts and almond meal recipes you share. With trying to go all “almond flour” for my favorite recipes, I’ve been having a hard time finding any… but not now! Your site is FULL of good ones. Thank you!
Aysegul Sanford
Terri,
This is music to my ears. Thanks for coming by and taking time to leave a review.
Hannah
I just made these almond flour cookies with my 6-year old. They disappeared in minutes. We used almond meal because that’s all we had. Next time I will try to make it with honey.
Please share more almond flour desserts. We love them.
Aysegul Sanford
Awwww that makes me so happy Hannah. I hope she enjoyed baking with you. I plan on sharing more for sure. Thanks for coming by and taking the time to leave a review.Cheers!
Jenny
Having been a follower for a while now I have made many of these almond meal recipes. And I have to say, I have enjoyed every single one that I tried. I especially love your almond flour cake recipes. The one with chocolate is my go-to.
Thanks for sharing such easy recipes. Almond flour desserts are the best!
Aysegul Sanford
It is a favorite of ours too. 🙂 I am about to share an almond flour birthday cake recipe. I hope you try that one too. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review Jenny.
Serena Wong
I can’t believe the almond flour cookies turn out so nice and it is VERY EASY to make! No butter, no sugar, I won’t feel “guilty” of making cookies for kids again.
Aysegul Sanford
YAY! This makes me so happy Serena. Thanks for letting me know.
Elizabeth
I have recently been diagnosed with two genetic mutations and through that discovered that food was causing a lot of my attacks. My body doesn’t retain potassium correctly, so because of that my new diet consists of needing a very low sodium, low carbs and low sugar intake. I decided to use almond flour to help lower the amount of carbs I eat and was at a loss on how to get started. I’ve never baked before in my life. I found your page and I’m absolutely happy that I did. Your recipes are so detailed that I was able to easily make a list on the type of baking equipment that I would need. That was a life safer in helping me feel more confident in what I was doing. I made 3 recipes so far, almond flour bread, blueberry muffins and cookies. I was amazed at how simple your recipes are to follow and how perfect the recipes came out. Since this was my first time baking, I was expecting some trial and error to happen, but all 3 recipes came out perfect! Plus, my kids loved the recipes too! Thank you!
Aysegul Sanford
Dear Elizabeth,
I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
This note made my day and it made me feel like my years of hard work finally paid off.
Thank you for acknowledging my efforts. I am beyond thrilled to hear that my recipes worked for you.
I plan on publishing many more almond flour desserts and cannot wait for you to try them as well.
Thanks again.
Cheers,
Aysegul
Nika
I love using almond flour in my baking. I just made your chocolate cake and it came out AMAZING! It taste even better than with regular all-purpose flour. Your almond flour cookies are next on my list 😉
Aysegul Sanford
YAY! This makes me so happy Nika. Happy to hear that.
Cheers!
Claire
Very good recipeS I really like almond flour and almond Meal
Aysegul Sanford
You and me both Claire. Thanks for coming by.
Taylor
The Paleo Gingerbread cookies with Almond Flour turned out to be soooo good! Everyone loved them, especially the kids.
Aysegul Sanford
Thanks Taylor. I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed it.
Cheers,
Aysegul
Diane
These cookies and all your almond flour desserts are so SO good. My son has celiac disease so we have to be very careful with him consuming gluten. Your recipes are a life saver.
Thank you.
Aysegul Sanford
This is music to my ears Diane. I am so happy to hear that you and your son are enjoying my recipes.
Thanks for coming by.
Cheers,
Aysegul
komal
Hi
I tried this recipe but the cookies turned brown in like 5 min..what should I have done different?
Aysegul Sanford
Himm… I am sorry to hear that. I wonder if your oven is too hot?
Can you please give me more information? Did you follow the recipe exactly as it was written? Did you change any of the ingredients?
Lauren
I found this recipe just to use up leftover almond flour, but I think I’ll make it again—they were delicious! A little less salt next time. Thanks!!
Aysegul Sanford
Good to know Lauren.
Thanks so much for coming by.