Know the difference between Almond Meal and Almond Flour to make sure your recipes turn out just right. This guide will help you discover how each one is made, their textures, and the best ways to use them in your cooking, not only for your baked recipe but for all the dishes you make.
The first time I made my nut flour, I could not believe my eyes. I could not believe I had not started this way earlier instead of spending so much money on store-bought packages. It is super simple and especially extra fresh, making it at home.
Use these low-carb, keto and gluten-free flour substitutes instead of regular wheat flour to make homemade bread or anything else you wish at home. You can keep making and storing them in your pantry and make them your usual flour for everything, just like I do.
Why You Will Love Making Nut Flours
- Easy To Use: By making both almond meal and flour, you can easily substitute them for regular flour in many recipes. They are easy to make at home as nuts are widely available in stores, making them convenient to use.
- Gluten-Free Flour: Both are naturally gluten-free, perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. You can enjoy baked goods and other recipes without worrying about gluten.
- Texture Differences: With their texture differences, you can use them for recipes they fit or use them interchangeably. Both are good to have in your pantry since they have different uses.
Making Homemade Almond Meal And Flour
Since I have spent a lot of time baking over the past years, I have come across some ingredients through the process that made me want to make them myself. Almond flour and almond meal have been my best friends since I started using them as gluten-free flour substitutes for my baked bread and cakes.
Making homemade almond flour and almond meal has been very convenient for me. Before, I only bought them at stores and online for a ridiculous price. But when I got the chance to make them myself, my pantry had always been filled.
Almond Flour vs Almond Meal
If I were to choose between almond meal and almond flour, I would go with almond flour. I use it more often than almond meal, like coconut flour. Although using almond meal instead of almond flour is suitable for some recipes, almond flour gives you that bright and soft feel like regular flour.
Sometimes, I still use almond meal as a breadcrumb substitute or coating that needs its components and texture.
Difference Between Almond Flour and Almond Meal
Their main difference is the color and texture they provide. Almond meal is made from ground almonds with skin. It is great for recipes where a bit of texture is needed, such as muffins, cheesecake crusts, cookies, and breading for meats or vegetables.
Almond flour is bright in color and finer than almond meal. It is ideal for recipes that need a light, airy texture, such as bundt cakes, rhubarb dump cakes, gluten-free pretzels, and macarons.
Are Natural Almonds Healthy?
Natural almonds are very healthy because they are packed with nutrients like vitamin E, magnesium, and fiber. They are also a great source of healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants. Eating almonds can help improve heart health, manage weight, and support overall well-being, so I chose them as my regular flour.
They make a nutritious snack and more if used in almond recipes like almond flour, almond meal, almond milk, and almond butter.
How To Make Almond Flour And Almond Meal
In this guide, I will show you how to make almond flour and meals, from fresh almonds to finely ground flour. If you want to start making them from now on, let’s follow these simple steps for each recipe.
Kitchen Gadgets:
- Magic Bullet Blender: This is my go-to gadget for everything that needs grinding. You can use any grinding tool (even a coffee grinder) you have at home as long as it can achieve the flour-like texture of the almonds.
Ingredients:
- Almonds: Fresh almonds are the base of almond meal and almond flour recipes. To prepare the almonds, you can separate the peeled and unpeeled ones if you are not planning on blanching them.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR MAKING ALMOND MEAL AND ALMOND FLOUR
First Step: Prepare Almonds
Prepare the almonds for both recipes. If you plan on using fresh almonds, separate the peel from unpeeled ones.
It is okay to use blanched or soaked almonds as long as they are dried before you grind them into finely ground almonds.
Second Step: Grind
Place the almonds in the Magic Bullet cups and grind them until they become finely ground almonds with a flour-like consistency.
Make sure to separate the cups for grinding the almond flour and meal, as one cup includes the skins, and the other does not.
Third Step: Check for Doneness
After grinding, remove the ground almonds from the blender and check if you are okay with the consistency. It will depend on how fine you want your almond flour and meal.
TRICKS AND TIPS:
- Small Batches: You can make these flour substitutes in small batches if your dishes require only a little since you can easily make another batch if you have almonds at home. That way, you can always use freshly ground ones.
- Pulse: Shake the magic bullet cup and tap it on the counter between pulses to move the almonds around and prevent clumping.
- Texture: Pay close attention to the texture to avoid over-processing. Almond flour should be fine and powdery, while almond meal should be coarser.
- Almond Butter: Do not blend the almonds too much, or you’ll end up with almond butter.
- Removing Skin: One great trick is quickly boiling almonds to peel the skin off easily. Before grinding them into flour, ensure they are thoroughly dried (best dehydrated).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why Almond Meal Include Skin?
Almond meal includes the skin because it is made from whole almonds that have not been peeled. When almonds are ground with the skins on, the result is a coarser texture and a darker color. What I like about making almond meals is that the skins add extra fiber and nutrients, which can benefit any diet, including clean eating.
This gives almond meal a more rustic and hearty feel than almond flour from blanched almonds.
What Is The Difference Between Almond Meal Recipes And Almond Flour Recipes?
If you have tried using almond meal and almond flour in your baked recipes, you can quickly tell how they differ. In my case, I can tell by looking at the texture of my baked products, such as bread loaves, cakes, dumplings, and cupcakes. If the texture and color of your bread look a little brown instead of light, an almond meal is used, and if it seems a bit lighter, you will know that it uses almond flour.
How To Use Almond Flour In Making Almond Cake?
Like regular flour, you can use almond flour to make an almond cake. Mix it with baking powder, salt, eggs, sweetener, and dairy-free butter. Make the batter using those ingredients, pour it into a greased pan, and then bake for 25-30 minutes. Using almond flour for this recipe will help you achieve a cake with a more nutty flavor than regular flour.
Can I Substitute Almond Meal with Almond Flour At Home?
Yes, you can. I have done it often with my baked recipes, which is fine. Remember that when you use almond flour instead of almond meal, your baked goods or other dishes will be lighter in texture and color. Almond meal and almond flour can be used interchangeably.
How Do I Store Almond Flour and Almond Meal?
If you plan to make a huge batch that will be perfect for a few months, you can store your almond meal or almond flour in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Try keeping them in a cool, dark place like a pantry. For more extended storage, place them in the refrigerator or freezer. Just bring them to room temperature before using them in your recipes.
Since almond flour is made from blanched almonds, freezing is another way to preserve its freshness. To do so, place it in an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag to protect it from moisture and odors. It can be kept frozen for up to a year without losing its almond flavor.
More Gluten Free Pantry Recipes
In addition to these pantry flour recipes, we have a few gluten-free pantry staples that you can easily make at home using your stored veggies and fruits.
Try our gluten-free powdered spices, like garlic powder and tomato powder, made from dried garlic and dehydrated tomatoes. They are even more flavorful and can be used for savory dishes if you do not want to use fresh ones.
We also have a mushroom powder recipe made from dehydrated mushrooms to add umami to your dinner dishes. You can also make an easy chicken powder by grinding this dehydrated chicken jerky recipe.
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Is Almond Meal Same as Almond Flour?
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Almonds with skin
- 1 Cup Almonds Blanched
Video
Instructions
- Prepare the almonds for both recipes. If you plan on using fresh almonds, separate the peel from unpeeled ones. It is okay to use blanched or soaked almonds as long as they are dried before you grind them into finely ground almonds.
- Place the almonds in the Magic Bullet cups and grind them until they become finely ground almonds with a flour-like consistency. Make sure to separate the cups for grinding the almond flour and meal, as one cup includes the skins, and the other does not.
- After grinding, remove the ground almonds from the blender and check if you are okay with the consistency. It will depend on how fine you want your almond flour and meal.
Notes
- Small Batches: You can make these flour substitutes in small batches if your dishes require only a little since you can easily make another batch if you have almonds at home. That way, you can always use freshly ground ones.
- Pulse: Shake the magic bullet cup and tap it on the counter between pulses to move the almonds around and prevent clumping.
- Texture: Pay close attention to the texture to avoid over-processing. Almond flour should be fine and powdery, while almond meal should be coarser.
- Almond Butter: Do not blend the almonds too much, or you’ll end up with almond butter.
- Removing Skin: One great trick is quickly boiling almonds to peel the skin off easily. Before grinding them into flour, ensure they are thoroughly dried (best dehydrated).
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
More pantry Ideas
As we are in the pantry section and you probably already realized, I love making various recipes to fill it up, here are some ideas you can try.
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