Homemade Almond Paste (Keto)

Homemade almond paste is a simple 5-ingredient recipe that only takes 5 minutes to make. This versatile almond paste recipe is the perfect way to level up your almond desserts. 

This almond paste is so easy to make, you don’t even need a bowl. The food processor does all the hard work, so you don’t have to!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Homemade almond paste is cheaper than the store-bought stuff…and made deliciously to your tastes. Store-bought almond paste can cost up to $14 for 1/2 pound. Making it at home is much cheaper, and you will know exactly what goes into the almond paste. This almond paste is  

• Gluten-Free
• Keto
• Sugar-Free
• Dairy-Free
• Low-carb

Homemade Almond Paste Ingredients

• Blanched Almonds
• Powdered Sugar Substitute: A keto-friendly sugar-free, low-carb version of traditional powdered or icing sugar that sweetens the almond paste. If you can’t find it, blend 1 1/3 cups of your favorite granular keto sweetener in a blender or food processor until it resembles powdered sugar or use regular powdered sugar if don’t mind using sugar.
• Egg Whites: They bind the ground almonds and powdered sugar substitute together, transforming it into a paste.
• Almond Extract 
• Salt 

How To Make Homemade Almond Paste

Step One: Place the almonds and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar substitute in your food processor with the steel blade attached. Process it, scraping down the food processor bowl as necessary until it resembles fine ground almond flour. 

Step Two: Add the remaining powdered sugar substitute and process it until it is evenly mixed into the almond mixture. 

Step Three: Add the egg white, almond extract, and salt and mix until the it sticks together and a paste forms. 

Step Four: Dust your countertop lightly with powdered sugar substitute. Place the almond paste on your countertop and roll it into a log. Wrap the almond paste in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for 1 hour before using.

Ways to Flavor Almond Paste

Almond paste is pretty delicious on its own. But if you want to make your almond paste extra tasty, try one of these variations. 

Vanilla Extract: Add a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to give the almond paste a subtle hint of vanilla flavor. 

Spices: Add a 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to give the almond paste a warm flavor. 

Orange Zest: Add 1/2 teaspoon of orange zest to give the almond paste a fragrant, mild citrus flavor.

Tips For Success

Use blanched almonds for the best results. If you use almonds with the skin on, the almond paste will have small brown flecks of skin in it. The almond paste may also have a coarser texture if you use skin-on almonds. 

If you cannot find blanched almonds, use 1 1/2 cups of almond flour and follow the directions on the recipe card.

When blending the almonds and powdered sugar substitute in step one, watch it carefully. The sugar will stop the almond paste from becoming almond butter. However, you can still over-process the almond mixture, so stop processing it when it is finely ground. 

If the almond paste feels too sticky, add more powdered sugar substitute, a tablespoon at a time, and process it until it is soft and smooth. 

Storing Homemade Almond Paste

Wrap your almond paste tightly with plastic wrap. It will prevent the almond paste from drying out and absorbing other aromas from foods in your fridge or freezer.

The almond paste will last in the fridge for 7-10 days. It will last in the freezer for 6 months.

Remember to transfer the almond paste to the refrigerator and thaw it overnight before using it, if you are using frozen almond paste.

FAQ

What can almond paste be used for? 

Almond paste can be used in many ways. You can fold almond paste into baked goods such as almond cakes or use it as a filling for almond croissants. You can also make bear claws, French Pithvier, Italian almond cookies, almond cream, and Danish kringles. You can even add almond paste to almond flour waffles to give them even more flavor.  

Is almond paste and marzipan the same thing?

Even though almond paste and marzipan are used interchangeably, they are two different ingredients. Almond paste has a coarser consistency than marzipan. It also feels softer than marzipan, so you can easily spread it on baked goods like croissants and use it as a filling. Unlike marzipan, almond paste also holds up beautifully when it is baked in the oven. The oil in the marzipan can separate as it heats in the oven creating unpleasant results. Marzipan has a paler color and smoother texture that can easily be shaped into decorations for cakes. Additionally, you can make marzipan with almond paste, but you cannot turn marzipan into almond paste. 

How do you soften almond paste?

If your almond paste is as hard as a rock, there’s no need to panic. There are several ways to soften almond paste. If you have time, place the almond paste into a container with a few slices of bread. The moisture from the bread softens the almond paste and returns it to its original state. You can also break the almond paste into small pieces, place it into the food processor outfitted with the steel blade, and process it until it becomes a uniform paste. If you are using a small portion of almond paste, you can wrap it with plastic wrap and knead it with your hands until it softens. 

Does almond paste go bad?

Yes, almond paste goes bad. Store-bought almond paste can last up to 18 months. But since this is a homemade almond paste recipe, it has an even shorter shelf life, depending on how you store it. Homemade almond paste will last in the fridge for 7-10 days and 6 months in the freezer. After this, the almond pastes quality will decline, and it will eventually spoil.

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