Almendrados Recipe – Traditional Portuguese Almond Cookies

Almendrados are traditional Portuguese conventual sweets typical of the Alentejo, Trás-os-Montes, and Algarve regions, where almond production is abundant. For this reason, almonds are widely used in local pastries. However, it is believed that the origin of this delicacy lies in the Algarve.

These cookies have a crunchy exterior and a soft interior. They are made with just three ingredients: sugar, almonds, and egg whites. In addition to being very easy to make, they are naturally gluten-free, making them an excellent option for those with intolerances.

Although this recipe has various versions, we highlight this one for its simplicity and consistent results. It’s the perfect solution when you need something quick and delicious for a snack.

Below, we explain how to prepare this Portuguese almendrados, a recipe with all the necessary details to recreate this traditional sweet. Try this simple recipe and bring a piece of Portuguese tradition to your table!

A bowl overflowing with almond cookies, each crowned with a whole almond, sits on a white tablecloth.
Almendrados – Traditional almond biscuit from Portugal

Ingredients

  • 250 g of almonds with skin
  • 25 to 30 g of additional almonds with skin for decoration
  • 2 egg whites
  • 200 g of white sugar (but yellow sugar is also fine).
Four items are arranged on a table adorned with a floral tablecloth: two bowls of almonds, a bowl of white sugar, and a bowl containing two egg yolks required in the almendrados recipe.
Ingredients needed to make almendrados

Necessary Kitchen tools

  • Food processor or kitchen robot
  • Spatula
  • Large bowl for mixing ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons
A collection of kitchen items on a floral tablecloth. Includes a large white bowl with a spout, matching lid, clear container with a blade, spoon and a black spatula with a colorful design.
Utensils for making Almendrados

Preparation

  • Servings: 15 to 20 servings (depending on the size of the cookie)
  • Preparation time: 35 minutes (20 minutes to prepare the cookies and 15 minutes in the oven)
  • Difficulty level: Easy and quick

Step-by-Step Recipe for Almendrados

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC (with top and bottom heating and ventilation).
  2. Grind the 250 g of whole almonds with skin in a food processor until reduced to a powder. If you prefer crunchier cookies, grind them to a coarser texture. (You can also use almond flour if preferred).
Ground almonds in a processor. The tablecloth is white with red poppy flowers at the bottom, evoking the charm of Portugal.
Almond flour ground in a food processor with a coarse texture
  1. Combine the egg whites and sugar until thoroughly mixed.
A person holds a black spatula over a white bowl containing egg whites and sugar, perfect for making Almendrados. The bowl rests on a white cloth adorned with red poppy designs.
Mix the egg whites with the sugar until everything is homogeneous
  1. Gradually add the egg whites and sugar to the almond flour, mixing until you achieve a thick and smooth paste.
A white bowl with a black-handled spoon holds a thick mixture of Almond Cookies. The bowl rests on a white tablecloth adorned with red poppy flowers.
After adding the almonds to the sugar, you should have a thick, homogeneous paste.
  1. Using two spoons, make small/medium balls and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Flatten each ball with the back of the spoon and place a whole almond on top.
Two hands hold spoons, deftly transferring a portion of dough from one spoon to another on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The tray rests on a floral tablecloth, ready for these delicious almond cookies, reminiscent of Portugal's traditional Almendrados.
Make balls with the help of two spoons
A hand holding a spoon spreads a small amount of the brown almond mixture onto parchment paper. The foil covers a baking sheet, ready to bake these traditional Portuguese treats.
Flatten the cookie with the back of a spoon
  1. Continue until all the dough is used up. With this amount, you can make about 20 cookies. Do not place the cookies too close together, as they will expand and stick to each other.
A parchment-lined baking sheet holds five rows of almond-topped cookies, each made from a thick, textured dough. The
This recipe yielded 20 medium almendrados, don’t add too much on the tray as they will grow in the oven.
  1. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 180ºC (350ºF). When the edges start to turn golden, remove from the oven. Don’t worry if they are still soft—they will become crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside as they cool down.
Baking tray with twenty almond cookies on baking paper inside an oven. The light brown cookies, reminiscent of the almond delights of Portugal, are topped with whole almonds, baking on a metal rack. The inside of the oven is a little worn.
Cook the almendrados in the oven at 180º C for 15 minutes until the edges of the cookies start to brown.
  1. Let them cool, and remove them from the parchment paper. Then serve or store for later.
A baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds a batch of traditional Almendrados, each topped with a whole almond. The Almond Cookies are evenly spaced and baked to order, their golden brown hue resting invitingly on the stovetop.
Appearance of almendrados fresh from the oven

Pairings and Serving

Almendrados are a perfect snack or breakfast treat. They are typically served with a hot beverage, such as tea or coffee, but hot chocolate is also great.

Storage

Almendrados keep well in an airtight container for one to two weeks. However, you should place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as the humidity can make them soft and sticky.

A tray of round Almendrados arranged in rows delights the senses. Each Almond Cookie boasts a whole almond in the center, resting on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Traditional almond biscuits from Portugal

Final Tips

  • If you want to simplify your life and speed up the recipe, use almond flour instead of whole almonds.
  • This recipe is perfect for using leftover egg whites, which are often left over when preparing most Portuguese traditional sweets, such as ovos moles, egg pudding, pastel de nata, and others.
  • You’ll find many versions of this recipe that use powdered sugar instead of white sugar or whisk the egg whites into stiff peaks before adding the sugar and almond flour. However, we don’t think these details add much to the recipe. This simplified version always works and produces delicious cookies.
  • The traditional recipe for almendrados uses a wafer sheet at the cookie’s base to prevent sticking. If wafer sheets are not available, you can store the cookies properly using parchment paper.
  • The size of the almendrados can vary according to your preference. We prefer them to be about a tablespoon size, but you can make them larger or smaller if you wish.
A blue star-shaped plate holds six delicious Almendrados, each a round, textured cookie covered in almonds and light brown in color. Resting on a neutral fabric surface, these sweet treats are a treat for both the eyes and taste buds.
Almendrados are a simple and easy-to-make cookie.

In conclusion

Almendrados are an ideal sweet for those looking for something quick and simple, as well as being delicious and perfect for a snack. Since they are gluten-free, they are an excellent option for people with intolerances. Try them, adapt them, and above all, enjoy!

Um prato azul em formato de estrela contém seis deliciosos Almendrados, cada um um biscoito redondo, texturizado, coberto de amêndoas e com um tom marrom claro. Descansando sobre uma superfície de tecido neutro, essas guloseimas doces são um deleite tanto para os olhos quanto para o paladar.

Almendrados

Jorge Bastos
This traditional Portuguese sweet is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. In addition to being very easy to make, it is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent option for people with intolerances.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine portuguese
Servings 20 cookies

Equipment

  • 1 Food processis
  • 1 Large container for mixing ingredients
  • 1 Spatula
  • 2 Tablespoons

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams whole almonds with skin
  • 25-30 grams additional whole almonds with skin for garnish
  • 2 egg whites
  • 200 grams white sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180ºC (with top and bottom heating, and ventilation).
  • Grind the 250 g of almonds with skin in a food processor until reduced to a powder.
  • Mix the egg whites and sugar until everything is well combined.
  • Gradually add the egg whites and sugar to the almond flour.
  • Make small/medium balls using 2 spoons and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Flatten each ball with the back of the spoon and place a whole almond on top.
  • Cook in the oven for 15 minutes at 180º.
  • Let it cool, and remove it from the baking paper.

Pin it for later

Portuguese Gluten free cookies - Almendrados
Almendrados - easy recipe

Sharing is caring!

Follow us


This will close in 60 seconds