A small bowl of these salty, smoky Spanish Spiced Almonds tapas, known as Almendras Fritas in Spain, makes a great shared starter or a happy hour keto snack. Serve these spiced nuts at a tapas party! Delightfully addictive!
These smoky Spanish Spiced Almonds were served to us as tapas in Spain, where they're known as almendras fritas. We had them several times but our favourite way to eat them was served warm from a paper cone.
Like some of the other tapas we had, like this Salmorejo--a chilled tomato soup- Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Tapas and these Tortilla Española bites I've done my best to recreate these warm spiced almonds here at home.
🛒 Ingredients
Spanish smoked paprika is the key ingredient in these spiced almonds. The only other ingredients you need to dress up these spiced nuts are some extra-virgin olive oil and a little sea salt.
- raw almonds
- extra virgin olive oil
- Spanish style smoked hot paprika
- sea salt
🥄 Instructions
- Roast natural (raw) unblanched almonds on a baking sheet in the oven until they begin to darken slightly and are aromatic.
- Meanwhile, combine smoked paprika and sea salt. Remove the almonds from the oven, transfer to a bowl and toss with the olive oil and smoked paprika and sea salt mixture.
- Cool the nuts completely before storing them in an airtight container.
These almendras fritas are delicious served warm, but they're also tasty once they've cooled. They will keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container.
😊 How to host a tapas party!
Host a tapas party! It's a fun way to eat and socialize. We occasionally have a paella party (see Hosting a Paella Party in your Kitchen) and serve tapas as well. Here are some tried and true tapas recipes.
Serve these on their own, or make it a party and offer a few different tapas! Try some of these favourites. Aim for a variety of flavours and textures and a mix of recipes that can be made ahead of time or at the last minute. Depending on your guests, choose some with meat and some without.
- Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates
- Air Fryer Shishito Peppers with Lemon Aioli
- Tortilla Española - Traditional Spanish Tortilla
- Prosciutto with Melon and Mint
- Quick and Easy Persimmon Prosciutto Cheese Bites
- Prawn and Chorizo Skewers with Lemon Aioli Dip
- 21 Easy Finger Food Appetizers
Keep it authentic with your drinks, too. Don't forget the Sangria!
- The Best Peach Sangria
- Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria
- Pineapple Strawberry Sangria
- Red Wine Citrus Pomegranate Sangria
Make these warm spiced almonds today and tuck a few away to have on hand for your next gathering.
Try these party spiced nuts recipes, too:
Low-Carb Roasted Pumpkin Spiced Pecans
20 minute Caramel Spiced Pecans
Sweet and Spicy Rosemary Nuts
📖 Recipe
Spanish Spiced Almonds (Almendras Fritas)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups raw almonds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon Spanish style smoked hot paprika
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8 - 10 minutes until aromatic and slightly darker in colour.
- Meanwhile, combine the smoked paprika and sea salt in a small dish.
- Remove almonds from the oven and place in a medium bowl.
- Toss with olive oil and sprinkle with the paprika - salt mixture. Serve warm.
KathyD
Amazing! We LOVE the flavor from the smoked paprika and sea salt which complemented the roasted almonds perfectly. I halved the recipe and now wish I would have made a full batch. YUM!
Elaine
Thanks Kathy! Happy to hear that! I know, I know--these are addictive!