Candies, sugar-coated almonds
Whole food · Sweets
Candied almonds are whole almonds coated in a crunchy, sweet shell, often with a hint of cinnamon. The texture is a delightful contrast: a hard, glassy exterior shatters to reveal the nutty, slightly chewy almond inside. Nutritionally, they are a calorie-dense treat, providing a good source of protein and healthy fats alongside a significant sugar load.
Calorie split: 8% protein · 58% carbs · 34% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore them for the addictive combination of sweet crunch and nutty richness, making them a beloved treat at fairs, markets, and holidays. Their versatility shines as a standalone snack, a salad topper, or a festive gift.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making them a poor choice for those managing diabetes or watching sugar intake. To enjoy mindfully, practice strict portion control (a small handful is a serving) and pair them with a source of protein or fat, like plain yogurt, to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides plant-based protein and dietary fiber.
- Contains healthy monounsaturated fats from almonds.
- Offers a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- A satisfying sweet snack that can curb hunger.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The process of making them involves boiling sugar and water to a precise 'hard crack' stage (around 300°F/149°C) before tossing in the almonds, which creates the signature glassy shell.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 2.3 g |
| Energy | 465 kcal |
| Energy | 1945 kj |
| Protein | 10.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 17.9 g |
| Ash | 1.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 68.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 62.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 100 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.9 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 137 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 166 mg |
| Potassium, K | 255 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 13.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.6 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.59 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 1.1 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.7 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.27 mg |
| Niacin | 1.0 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.16 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.06 mg |
| Folate, total | 15.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 15.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 15.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 26.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 3.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 12.4 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.9 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.36 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 12.1 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.09 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 12.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 3.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Candies, honey-combed, with peanut butter — USDA does not publish this profile for Candies.
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.21 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.24 g |
| Leucine | 0.61 g |
| Lysine | 0.27 g |
| Methionine | 0.10 g |
| Cystine | 0.09 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.47 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.33 g |
| Valine | 0.31 g |
| Arginine | 1.1 g |
| Histidine | 0.22 g |
| Alanine | 0.36 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.0 g |
| Glycine | 0.56 g |
| Proline | 0.55 g |
| Serine | 0.58 g |
FAQ
Are candied almonds the same as marzipan?
No. Candied almonds are whole nuts with a sugar coating. Marzipan is a paste made from ground almonds and sugar, often molded into shapes.
How can I make them at home?
Simmer 1 cup sugar with 1/2 cup water until it reaches a syrup. Add 2 cups almonds and a pinch of cinnamon, stirring constantly until the sugar crystallizes and coats the nuts, then continue cooking until it melts into a glaze.
Why do they sometimes have a white, dusty coating?
That's called 'sugar bloom.' It occurs when moisture dissolves some of the sugar shell, which then recrystallizes as it dries, creating a harmless, powdery appearance.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.65 kcal/g · 9% calories from protein · 2.5 g fiber · 62.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.05 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.