Wondering what the difference is between almond meal and almond flour? Not sure which one to use in your recipes? Both almond flour and almond meal are popular choices for paleo, gluten-free, and keto recipes. However, each one is different.
Learn the difference between ground almonds and almond flour and how to choose the best option for your recipes.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I’ve noticed that with the upswing of gluten-free recipes and baked goods, almond flour is a common choice for the health community.
For anyone new to this way of eating though, it can be confusing on which to choose: almond meal or almond flour.
Though both are made from raw almonds and are gluten-free, they're not exactly the same.
You should also learn more about coconut flour vs almond flour regarding a gluten-free diet as well as how to make gluten-free meal prep easier.
What Is Almond Flour?
Almond flour is made when the raw almonds are blanched, have their skin removed, and then ground into a very fine powder.
Blanched almond flour works especially well in delicate recipes (like these chocolate almond flour cookies).
What Is Almond Meal
Almond meal is another word for ground almonds, as-is. Meaning, homemade almond meal is made by taking the almond (skin and all) and grinding them into a powder. Learn how to make homemade almond meal.
Almond meal can also reference the leftover almonds from making homemade almond milk. The “pulp” that has been blended with water and strained can be made into a chunky almond meal (skins and all).
While they will work for most recipes, the texture, color, and taste will be quite different from almond flour (more below).
Learn The Difference Between Almond Flour And Almond Meal
Though they’re very similar, ground almonds and almond flour are very different in flavor, texture, and how they’ll react in baked goods.
Texture
Because the almonds in almond flour are blanched first and have their skins removed, almond flour texture is much thinner and delicate.
On the flip side, ground almonds (almond meal) have a thicker, chunkier texture.
What this means for baking: using ground almonds in baking will result in a chewier texture than using almond flour. It can also mean that the baked good (depending on how delicate) will not hold together as well. I primarily use blanched almodn flour for all my gluten-free almond flour recipes.
Color
Almond flour has a light white/yellow texture which is especially pleasing in desserts. Almond meal has a light and brown color from the skin and inside of the almonds.
Nutrients
Because almond flour uses blanched almonds, you will not get the nutrients from the almond skins (mainly fiber).
Almond meal however uses the entire almond and thus you’ll get all of the nutrients with that.
So while they have the same amount of calories per serving, almond meal has slightly more fiber, iron, and calcium. However, it is only slightly higher.
Uses
Ground almonds can work great in chunky cookies, granola or muffins. However, for finer recipes like scones, quiche cups, and macaroons, you’ll want to use almond flour.
How To Make Almond Flour
Normally when people refer to homemade almond flour they're referring to almond meal. All you need to do to make this is to grind up sweet almonds in a food processor until they're flour-like in consistency.
To make actual almond flour, you'll need to purchase blanched almonds. Then, proceed as normal and grind the almonds into a super fine flour.
Some people also make almond pulp which is done after the almonds have been blended and strained from a liquid (like when making almond milk).
Frequently Asked Questions About Almond Flour vs. Ground Almonds
While very similar, the textures are different. This means that subbing one for another will alter the texture of the recipe you’re making. You can substitute them, just know that there might be a slight difference.
No. Almond flour is completely different from wheat flour and will not “bind” your recipe. This means that the baked goods will crumble quite a bit.
Almond flour has a very bland taste because the almonds have been blanched. Almond meal on the other hand is made up of ground almonds and thus tastes much more like almonds.
When making almond flour, make sure to process the finely ground blanched almonds until they're a super fine powder, and then stop. To make almond butter you'll want to first roast the almonds but also continue to process them long after they become flour. When you continue, they release their natural oils and will turn into a butter consistency.
Almond flour is simple to make at home and all you need is one ingredient: blanched almonds. Add them into a high-powered food processor and grind until they reach a light, flour-like texture.
No. Ground almonds is exactly as it sounds: almonds that have been ground fine enough to be used in baked goods. Almond flour though, is almonds that have been blanched, the skins, removed, and then ground into flour. it is much finer.
Christine Csencsitz says
I had the hardest time getting a straight answer to this question until I came across your post! Thanks for clarifying the difference between almond flour and meal so clearly!
fitasamamabear says
Yay! It confused me when I started a gluten-free diet too.
Jane says
Perfect timing! I was just about to make some cookies and wasn’t sure which to use. Now I know almond flour will give me the finer texture I’m looking for. Thank you.
Marie says
I've always wondered why some recipes call for almond flour while others specify almond meal. Thanks for breaking down the differences.
fitasamamabear says
It's a simple thing but makes a bit difference!
Khoi says
Really helpful and informative. I never knew the difference. Now I know when to use which. Thanks!!
fitasamamabear says
Glad to help!
Mirella says
Loved learning the difference between ground almonds and almond flour! I always wondered if they could be used interchangeably in recipes, so the explanation was very helpful. I'm going to try making my own at home now. Thank you for the informative article!
fitasamamabear says
So happy it helped clear a few things up!
Annie says
This was incredibly informative. I always wondered why my ground almonds always made my macarons fail. Thank you so much for answering!
fitasamamabear says
Omg I have so been there!
Donna says
I have been using them interchangeably in recipes, so this was a great read! Will have to try sticking to almond flour for more fine baking 🙂
fitasamamabear says
I did for years too- until I started blogging and realized though subtle there are definitely some differences!
Sherry says
Thank you for helping me understand the difference between almond flour and almond meal. I have seen almond meal mentioned in other recipes and never knew what it was.
fitasamamabear says
Yay! Glad I could give my two cents to break it down.
Jenn says
This is great info! I've been on a keto diet for a while now and didn't really understand the difference. Very helpful!
fitasamamabear says
So happy I could give a bit of insight!
Mandy Applegate says
This was really useful, I have a recipe that needs ground almonds and wondered if almond flour would work - now I know!
fitasamamabear says
Yay! Happy I could help!
Glenda says
Shelby this was so helpful. I bake with blanched almond flour quite a bit, but your post has raised a question for me. When using it as a crunchy "breading", would it be better to use plain ground almonds? Would that provide a crispier coating? Thanks for this great post!