Almond Powder (Badam milk powder)
Updated: August 31, 2022, By Swasthi
Almond powder recipe – A step-by-step recipe post on how to make almond milk powder at home. Also known as badam powder, it is simply a blend of blanched, roasted & ground almonds that can be used for various purposes. It can be used to make homemade almond drink, sprinkle over your toddlers’ food or cereals, add to porridges, shakes and curries. The possibilities are endless and you will be surprised as you explore them.
Are you wondering, but why homemade? Homemade almond powder is a pure protein powder without any additives. It’s much superior in taste, freshness and economical. Main importantly we know what goes into it.
With the comfort of store bought powders, I had never made this before having my babies. Motherhood helped me to explore this method of making almond powder for my toddlers.
I realized that a lot of milk powders we use for the babies and kids are loaded with synthetic nutrients & always wondered if these are really absorbed by the body.
The commercial badam milk powder from popular brands like the MTR has only 8.5 % almond powder in it with loads of starch and milk powder added to it which is visible on the ingredients list.
So if you are looking for healthy store bought alternates then this is the way to go. Make your own almond powder at home!
Why blanching?
Almond skin though rich in fiber is said to be high in tannins which prevent the absorption of nutrients. So it is best to use them without the skin. Also according to Ayurveda, almond skin is harder to digest and can accumulate toxins in the body.
But how do we get rid of the skin easily? It is only by blanching we can remove the skin easily.
Photo Guide
Preparation
1. Bring water to a rapid boil in a large pot.
2. Add the almonds and leave them for a minute or two.
3. Drain them to a colander and immediately rinse them under running water.
4. Immediately drain and transfer to an absorbent cloth.
5. You will see the skin loosen. Just peel off and pat them on a dry cloth.
6. Add these blanched almonds to the wide heavy bottom pan. Roast lightly till they look dry & free from moisture. This is done to increase the shelf life & get a better texture. You can also do this in your oven at the lowest heat setting for 20 mins or until completely dry. Cool them completely.
How to make badam powder
7. Add them to a powerful dry grinder or a spice jar. A reader has shared in the comments below that a coffee grinder works well. Pulse or grind them in intervals of 15 to 25 seconds so the almonds don’t release oil.
8. If your grinder cannot do a good job, then sieve the powder. Blend the coarse nuts again. Store almond powder in an airtight jar. If you stay in a humid weather, refrigerate and use.
How to use almond powder:
- Top your toddlers’ cereal or porridge with a tablespoon of this protein powder.
- Make instant almond milk, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of this powder to a cup and stir in ¼ cup boiling water or milk. Add your favorite sweetener, crushed saffron, cardamom powder or any other flavoring to it. Slowly stir more water or milk as needed.
- You can also add a few tablespoons of this to your shakes.
Recipe Card
Almond milk powder (Badam milk powder)
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )
- 1 cup almonds (badam)
- 2 to 3 cups water
Instructions
Preparation for almond powder
- Bring 2 to 3 cups of water to a rolling boil. Pour the almonds and leave them for 1 to 2 mins.
- Drain them to a colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain completely.
- Spread them on a clean cotton cloth. The skin of almonds loosens.
- Peel off the skin. Pat them dry on a clean dry cloth.
- Roast these almonds in a heavy bottom pan on a low flame until completely dry & moisture free. You can also do this in your oven on the lowest heat (60 C or 140 F) setting for 20 mins, stirring after 10 mins.
- Do not brown the almonds but they must turn crunchy after roasting. Cool them completely.
How to make badam milk powder
- Add them to a dry grinder like a spice jar or coffee grinder. Grind in intervals of 15 to 20 seconds on a minimum speed until you get a fine powder. Do not blend them for too long at a stretch as they begin to release oil making the power lumpy.
- If your grinder isn't powerful enough, then sieve it to separate the coarse nuts. Grind the coarse nuts again.
- Store almond powder in an air tight container. Stays good for several months at room temperature. If you live in a humid weather, then refrigerate it.
How to use
- To make the milk, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the almond powder to a cup. Pour ¼ cup boiling hot milk or water. Add your favorite flavorings like ⅛ teaspoon cardamom powder or 4 strands of crushed saffron. You can also stir in your sweetener. Let it sit for 10 mins, then top with more milk or water as desired.
- Top your cereals: Sprinkle the almond powder on your grown-up or toddler’s cereals. This is a good way of serving almonds to toddlers who cannot still chew nuts.
- You can also add this to desserts, ladoos, cookies and milkshakes.
Notes
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
© Swasthi’s Recipes
About Swasthi
I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me
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Comments
I love this recipe. Can it be sundried after blanching instead of roasting?
Thank you. Yes they can be sundried
Clear instructions. Thanks. Much needed even for senior citizens who have problems biting
Yes it can also be added to their ragi malt or sattu. Thanks for rating Roopashri
Very useful that too blanching really useful tip. thank you
Dear Swathi Madam
Good morning
I tried some recipes of your south indian. They are good. Requesting you , can you write in Telugu .
Good morning Raghavendra Rao garu,
Glad to know. I can only read Telugu but can’t write. Thank you.
Great
It looked easy and yummy… I use organic almond flour/powder for cookies and I have blanched almond flour in fridge. Can I use this flour to make this mix with other ingredients?
Hi Priya
Do you mean to make cookies? If it is, yes you can use it for cookies, to make halwa, burfi, shakes etc
Hello Swasthi,
Can I soak the almonds overnight, peel the skin and slightly roast this peeled almonds to make this powder?
Also can I add in small amounts of cashew and pista to this?
Thank you, want to try it for my daughters!!
Hello Shrut,
Yes but roasting in a pan won’t work because it will take very very long. You have to dehydrate them or toast in oven. This takes several hours because you have to do it on a very low heat ( 140 to 160 F or 60 to 70 C). If you want to use this for porridge or toddler food, Instead make the powder following my recipe. Later soak the powder overnight & then use it. Hope this helps
Hi Swasthi,
I have made this badam powder twice for my 15 month old baby and he likes it in his morning cereal. But I only make this powder with almonds and nothing else.
Reason being, per the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics a child under two years of age should NOT be given any added sugars in their diet.
Therefore, I have made this almond powder with only roasted almonds in my coffee grinder and it turns out great! I am able to make a fine powder that melts right into the cereal without any sugar.
Hope this helps any mom trying to omit added sugars in kids diet.
Hi Bobbie
Thanks for sharing this. Surely it helps the other readers.
Awesome
Hi Swasthi,
I came here straight after reading the nutritional facts in MTR badam drink. as you said they contain 13 grams sugar for every 15 grams of sugar and also they contain only 8.2 percent almonds in 500g of badam mix.
My question is can I prepare this mix and store them for daily usage in a month. I stay abroad and I am looking for a healthy drink with milk everyday morning. Thank you.
Hi,
You can check this badam milk recipe
Thank you… Madam. please post this kind of healthy nutritional value recipes more..
I have lot of healthy recipes on the blog. Please use the search bar on the top of the post. If you are looking for any particular recipe I can help you.
Hi madam, Can I use overnight soaked almonds without using blanched almond to make this almond powder?
Hi Gayathri,
You can but you have to dry them completely. I guess it will take a few days to dry completely. Instead blanch the nuts, make the powder and soak the powder overnight and use.
Can we mix badam powder in milk for 1yr babies
Hi usha
you can mix if it is cow’s or buffalo milk. Do not mix in formula milk. You may need to strain the milk if the powder is not fine.
Hi,
Thnks for ur detailed rply…..just curious to kno y is it advised to not cook porridge after adding this powder
Thnk u
Welcome Sunitha
To avoid loss of nutrition i suggested not to cook again. They are heated once while toasting. So avoid cooking them again
Hi swasti,
Wish to try ths recipe soon aftr clarifying som doubts wit u….can ths powder b added to baby’s porridge..? If so, from which month (age) and what qty per day is advised…? If we prepare ths for baby do we need to soak almonds overnight?
Thnks fr ths wondrful recipe
Hi, the powdered badam is grainy and my baby feel like vomiting…any other ideas to make badam to fine powder..
Hi is there any app of your food recipes pls let me know. Also let me know how I can use this almond powder to 8 months baby. She is on formula milk
Looks Yummmmmy n easy healthy home made powder for kids, thank you so much
Welcome Revathy
Thank you very veryy much for sharing this reciepe. Keep posting healthy stuff.
Welcome Kruti
Yes will surely keep posting
Hi swati,
Thanks for your lovely kids recipies.. they help me a lot..
I tried this powder and it became soft and grainy… coz of the oil from the bad am I think.. can I still use it? How long can I store it then and how to use it?
Hi Divya
You are welcome.
As I mentioned in the post over blending can make the powder lumpy. Yes you can use it. It keeps good in refrigerator for 3 to 4 months. It stays good at room temperature for 3 weeks.
Thanks swati!!!
one more query also instead of roasting almonds, can i sun dry them or just leave them on dry cloth for a day or so after blanching.
Durga, roasting extends the shelf life of the powder otherwise it may go bad.