Moroccan Amlou – Almond, Argan Oil & Honey Spread
A rich Moroccan almond spread made with roasted almonds, culinary argan oil, and honey. Nutty, lightly sweet, and creamy, Amlou is delicious with warm bread, msemen, baghrir, toast, or fresh fruit.
Servings 16
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole raw almonds about 280 g
- 1/2 cup culinary argan oil 120 mL, preferably added gradually
- 1/4 cup runny honey about 85 g, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until fragrant and lightly toasted. Watch them carefully toward the end so they do not burn.
- Let the almonds cool for about 5 to 10 minutes. They can still be slightly warm, but they should not be piping hot.
- Transfer the toasted almonds to a food processor or powerful blender. Process until very finely ground, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Continue processing. The almonds will move from crumbs to a thick paste as their natural oils begin to release. Depending on your machine, this may take several minutes.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the culinary argan oil. Start with about 1/3 cup (80 mL), then add more until the Amlou reaches a thick, creamy, spoonable consistency.
- Add the honey and optional salt. Process again until smooth and evenly combined.
- Taste and adjust. Add a little more honey for sweetness or a small amount of argan oil for a looser texture.
- Transfer the Amlou to a clean jar or serving bowl. Stir before serving if natural oil separation occurs.
Notes
CULINARY ARGAN OIL:
Use only argan oil specifically labeled for culinary or food use. Do not use cosmetic argan oil. OLIVE OIL VERSION:
For an accessible variation, replace the argan oil with a mild-tasting olive oil. The flavor will be different from traditional Amlou, but the method remains similar. PEANUT VERSION:
Roasted unsalted peanuts can replace the almonds for a budget-friendly Amlou-inspired spread. Because peanuts release plenty of natural oil, start with less added oil and increase only as needed. TEXTURE:
Amlou can range from thick and spreadable to relatively loose and pourable. Adjust the oil gradually according to your preferred consistency. STORAGE:
For best freshness in a home kitchen, keep in a clean airtight jar in the refrigerator and stir before serving.
Use only argan oil specifically labeled for culinary or food use. Do not use cosmetic argan oil. OLIVE OIL VERSION:
For an accessible variation, replace the argan oil with a mild-tasting olive oil. The flavor will be different from traditional Amlou, but the method remains similar. PEANUT VERSION:
Roasted unsalted peanuts can replace the almonds for a budget-friendly Amlou-inspired spread. Because peanuts release plenty of natural oil, start with less added oil and increase only as needed. TEXTURE:
Amlou can range from thick and spreadable to relatively loose and pourable. Adjust the oil gradually according to your preferred consistency. STORAGE:
For best freshness in a home kitchen, keep in a clean airtight jar in the refrigerator and stir before serving.