Almond Cookies Recipe: Traditional Spanish Sweet Treat, Chewy 2026

These almond cookies, known in Spain as pastas de almendra, are a fixture of the sweet course at the end of a long meal. Crisp on the outside and soft within, they come together from just three main ingredients and require no special equipment beyond a bowl and a spoon.

This is a simple, deeply flavorful grandmother's recipe that is well worth trying. Because it uses no flour, it is naturally gluten-free and suitable for celiacs, and it pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee with milk or a good after-dinner conversation.

Ingredients for Almond Cookies

This makes 12 cookies, enough for a generous after-dinner tray.

• 200 g ground almonds
• 175 g sugar
• 1 pinch of salt
• 2 medium egg whites
• 30 g sliced almonds

How to Make Almond Cookies Step by Step

1. Mix the almonds, sugar and salt

Start by preheating the oven to 160 ºC with heat from both top and bottom. In a bowl, combine 200 grams of ground almonds, 175 grams of sugar and 1 pinch of salt, then set the mixture aside.

2. Whip the egg whites

Beat the egg whites until they are whipped and hold their shape. This gives the cookies their light, airy structure.

3. Fold in the almond mixture

Fold the ground almond mixture into the whipped egg whites little by little, using gentle folding motions so the air stays in the batter.

4. Divide the dough into 12 portions

Using an ice cream scoop, a regular spoon or clean hands, form 12 portions from the dough and place them on two baking trays lined with parchment paper. Leave the portions slightly separated from one another.

5. Top with sliced almonds and bake

Scatter 30 grams of sliced almonds over all the cookies and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn lightly golden.

6. Let them cool

Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes on the tray. Then transfer them to a wire rack and leave them to cool completely.

7. Serve

Once cool, these delicious little almond cookies are ready to enjoy.

Tips for the Best Almond Cookies

Storing them

Once cool, if you can resist eating them all, keep the cookies ideally in a cookie tin, where they will last for several days.

Flavoring

You can flavor the cookies to taste, though if you use almonds of the best quality, no extra flavoring will be necessary.

When to serve them

These cookies are ideal for a good after-dinner sweet or to accompany a coffee with milk.

30 Top Dishes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Much like me, you probably like having a rotation of fuss-free comfort dishes, well-known global plates, and desserts that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, I tend to reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And any time a fruity, cozy dessert sounds good, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

On mornings when I want something quick and on lighter days, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, I'm fond of making this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I switch between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crunchy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit fancier.

Come lunchtime cravings or a cozy evening meal, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Any time street-food style or party-ready plates are calling, I'll usually fix this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a light starter or snack.

And when drinks plus a whole spread are on the agenda for company, I'll typically serve dinner alongside this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. Then to fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes to Cook for Loved Ones

After years of trying and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the greatest dishes balance ease, dependable methods, and big flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the very ones I keep coming back to, time and again—whether I'm throwing together a fast meal just for me or putting on something memorable for friends and family.

For a sweet finish, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to whenever I want something elegant yet effortless. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe shows exactly how I make it at home.

Whenever something light and uncomplicated is what I'm craving, I reach for the familiar Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For fuller comfort meals, I'm quick to point to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm equally fond of passing along dishes rooted in tradition from across the globe, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the timeless Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that baked pasta classics can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying minus the gluten.

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