How to Activate Almonds

Co-authored by Nimisha Gandhi

Last Updated: June 10, 2024

Activating almonds essentially is just soaking the nuts in water for a few hours, after which you can eat them raw or cook them. Doing so makes the almonds begin to sprout, which causes the enzymes inside of the almonds to break down. In their sprouting state, all of the proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids are activated, which means your body can absorb them all and get the most out of this tasty food, whether you're just eating them as a snack or adding them to a meal. Inactivated almonds, whether they are raw or roasted, contain enzyme inhibitors that prevent your digestive system from extracting all of their valuable nutrients.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Soaking the Almonds

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1
Purchase raw almonds from your local grocery store. If your local grocery store doesn’t carry raw almonds, check your local health food store. You can either purchase non-organic or organic raw almonds. ^{[1]
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- Make sure they are unsalted and not roasted.
Use a bowl that is large enough to hold the almonds and the water to cover them. Whether you use 2 or 4 cups depends on how many almonds you want to activate. ^{[2]
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3
Cover the raw almonds with water. Pour enough water into the bowl until all of the almonds are submerged by 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) of water. Add a half of a tablespoon to a tablespoon (9 to 18 grams) of sea salt to the bowl. Use a spoon to stir the almonds, salt, and water together. ^{[3]
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- The salt makes the almonds taste better and helps to deactivate the enzyme inhibitors.
Cover the bowl with a clean cloth. Set the bowl aside on a counter. Let the almonds soak overnight, or for 7 to 12 hours. ^{[4]
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Once the almonds have finished soaking, pour them into a sieve to drain them. Hold the sieve under running water to rinse the almonds of salt and other debris. ^{[5]
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6
Eat the almonds raw. You can eat the almonds raw without roasting them. You can soak them or add them to other foods, such as putting them in a trail mix.
- However, if you like the taste and crunch of dry almonds, then try roasting them in an oven or drying them in a dehydrator. ^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Drying the Almonds

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Fill the bottom of a small bowl with salt, cinnamon sugar, Cajun seasoning, or one of your favorite dry mixes. Toss the almonds in the dry mix until they are evenly coated. ^{[7]
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2
Lay them on a baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the almonds onto the parchment paper. Spread them out evenly on the baking sheet. ^{[8]
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- The almonds should be lying flat, and not overlapping each other, on the parchment paper.
3
Cook the almonds in a 150 °F (66 °C) oven for 12 to 24 hours. If your oven’s lowest temperature setting is above 150 °F (66 °C), then bake them on the lowest setting for 8 to 10 hours. The almonds are done when they taste dry, or when their centers are dry and not wet and soft. ^{[9]
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- Make sure your almonds are completely dry before storing them. If they are not completely dry, mold will grow on them, even if they are stored in an airtight container.
4
Use a dehydrator to dry them if you have one. Set your dehydrator to 150 °F (66 °C). Lay the almonds in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Place the almonds in the dehydrator for 12 to 24 hours, or until crispy. ^{[10]
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- You do not need to line the dehydrator trays with parchment paper.
5
Store the almonds in an airtight container. Let the almonds cool to room temperature, about an hour. Place the almonds in a mason jar, or a plastic or glass container that is airtight. Store them in your pantry for 1 month. ^{[11]
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- You can also store them in the fridge for up to 6 months.

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What are the benefits of activating almonds?

Nimisha Gandhi
Certified Nutritionist
Nimisha Gandhi is a Certified Nutritionist based in San Francisco, California. With over 15 years of research and clinical experience, she specializes in functional and ayurvedic reproductive and gut health. She is a certified Ayurvedic counselor from the Ayurvedic Institute of America and received her certification in nutrition from the Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts while also getting certified as a Yoga Nidra teacher from the California College of Ayurveda. She is also a certified Well Woman Yoga Practitioner and Conscious Parenting Coach. She earned her B.S. in Psychobiology from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Nimisha Gandhi

Certified Nutritionist

Expert Answer

Nuts, seeds, and legumes like almonds usually have a protective layer around them so they can continue to be pollinated without being easily consumed by predators. Soaking the almonds makes them more digestible so you can get the nutrients that are in them.

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Are almonds healthy?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Yes, almonds are healthy nuts, activated or unactivated. They contain calcium, iron, vitamin E and various B vitamins.

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Do I have to activate almonds? I've never bothered before.

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In spite of the current paleo diet insistence that nuts need to be activated to be beneficial and to rid them of phytates, you do not have to activate almonds to still get health benefits. Phytates actually have some health benefits, like being anti-inflammatory and providing antioxidants. If you're already eating a varied, healthy diet, unactivated almonds are fine, especially as our bodies can break down phytates anyway. However, you might prefer the softer, sweeter texture of soaked almonds, especially for certain paleo or other dishes.

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How to Activate Almonds

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Soaking the Almonds

Drying the Almonds

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