Almonds Macros: Complete Nutrition Facts & Calories

Reviewed by Sarah Chen, MS, RD

Whole raw almonds in ceramic bowl - 21g protein, 22g carbs, 49g fat per 100g

Almonds are one of the most popular healthy snacks—and for good reason. They pack protein, healthy fats, and fiber into a convenient, portable package. But they’re also calorie-dense, which makes tracking them essential if you’re counting macros.

The difference between a handful and a measured ounce can be 100+ calories. This guide breaks down almond macros exactly—by count, weight, and form—so you can enjoy almonds without accidentally blowing your calorie budget.

Raw almonds spilling from a jar onto a wooden surface

Almond Macros: Quick Reference

Here’s what you need to know at a glance for whole raw almonds.

By Weight

ServingCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiber
100g57921g22g50g12.5g
1 oz (28g)1646g6g14g3.5g
1/4 cup (36g)2077.5g8g18g4.5g
1/2 cup (72g)41415g16g36g9g

By Count

CountWeightCaloriesProteinFat
1 almond1.2g70.26g0.6g
5 almonds6g351.3g3g
10 almonds12g702.5g6g
15 almonds18g1053.8g9g
23 almonds28g1646g14g
30 almonds36g2107.5g18g

Key insight: The standard “serving” of 23 almonds equals about 1 ounce (28g). This is what nutrition labels reference.

Why Counting Almonds Matters

Almonds are one of the easiest foods to overeat without realizing it. Here’s why precision matters:

The “Handful” Problem

What You ThinkActual AmountCalories
Small handful~15 almonds105
Medium handful~25 almonds175
Large handful~40 almonds280
”A few handfuls”~75 almonds525

A few mindless handfuls while working can add 500+ calories—an entire meal’s worth.

The Best Way to Track Almonds

Option 1: Count them

  • Most accurate for whole almonds
  • 23 almonds = 1 oz = 164 calories
  • Count them out and stop

Option 2: Weigh them

  • Best for sliced, slivered, or when counting is impractical
  • 28g = 164 calories
  • Use a food scale

Option 3: Pre-portion

  • Measure once, grab portions later
  • Divide bulk almonds into 1 oz bags
  • Eliminates daily measuring

Almonds measured in a small bowl on a kitchen scale

Almond Types and Their Macros

Different preparations have slightly different macros:

Per 1 oz (28g) Serving

TypeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatNotes
Raw whole1646g6g14gBaseline
Dry roasted1706g5.5g15gSlightly more fat
Oil roasted1726g5.5g16gAdded oil
Honey roasted1685g8g14gAdded sugar
Smoked1706g5.5g15gFlavor only
Blanched (no skin)1656g6g14gSame macros
Sliced1646g6g14gSame as whole
Slivered1646g6g14gSame as whole

Key insight: The macro differences between preparations are minimal. Raw vs. roasted matters less than portion size.

Flavored Almonds (Watch Out)

Flavored almonds often have added sugar, oil, and salt:

FlavorCalories/ozAdded Sugars
Wasabi1601g
Sriracha1652g
Cocoa dusted1704g
Cinnamon sugar1755g
Honey BBQ1806g

Recommendation: Stick with raw or dry-roasted for cleanest macros.

Almond Butter Macros

Almond butter concentrates almonds into a spreadable form—making it even easier to overeat.

Basic Almond Butter Macros

ServingCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiber
1 tbsp (16g)983.4g3g9g1.6g
2 tbsp (32g)1966.8g6g18g3.2g
1/4 cup (64g)39213.6g12g36g6.4g

Almond Butter vs. Peanut Butter

Per 2 tbspAlmond ButterPeanut Butter
Calories196188
Protein6.8g8g
Carbs6g6g
Fat18g16g
Fiber3.2g2g

Bottom line: Almond butter has slightly more calories and fat, slightly less protein. The difference is minimal—choose based on taste and price.

Almond Butter Tips

Measuring properly:

  • Don’t eyeball—a heaping tablespoon can be 150+ calories
  • Level your spoon
  • Or weigh: 32g = 2 tbsp

Natural vs. processed:

  • Natural: just almonds (maybe salt)
  • Processed: may have sugar, oil, stabilizers
  • Check ingredients—natural is usually cleaner macros

Almond Flour and Almond Milk

Almond Flour Macros

Popular in keto and gluten-free baking:

ServingCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberNet Carbs
1/4 cup (28g)1606g6g14g3g3g
1/2 cup (56g)32012g12g28g6g6g
1 cup (112g)64024g24g56g12g12g

Baking note: Almond flour has dramatically different macros than wheat flour (120 cal vs 455 cal per cup), but also behaves differently. Recipes aren’t directly interchangeable.

Almond Milk Macros

Much lower calorie than whole almonds due to water dilution:

Type (1 cup/240ml)CaloriesProteinCarbsFat
Unsweetened30-401g1-2g2.5g
Original (sweetened)60-801g7-8g2.5g
Vanilla unsweetened30-401g1-2g2.5g
Chocolate100-1302g18-21g2.5g

Why so low? Commercial almond milk is mostly water with a small amount of almonds. A cup of almond milk might contain the equivalent of ~4 almonds.

Protein note: Despite coming from almonds, almond milk is NOT a good protein source. Use it for low-calorie milk substitution, not nutrition.

Making Almonds Work for Different Diets

Weight Loss/Cutting

Almonds can help or hurt weight loss depending on how you use them:

The good:

  • High satiety per calorie (protein + fat + fiber)
  • Studies show almond eaters don’t gain weight
  • Convenient, no-prep snack

The risk:

  • Easy to overeat by 200-400 calories
  • Calorie-dense means small portions

Best practices for cutting:

  • Pre-portion into 1 oz servings
  • Count, don’t grab
  • Eat slowly—savor each almond
  • Pair with protein for greater satiety

Smart cutting snack:

  • 10 almonds (70 cal) + apple (95 cal) = 165 cal, very filling

Keto/Low-Carb

Almonds are among the best keto nuts:

Net carbs per ounce: 2.5g (6g total - 3.5g fiber)

Keto ComparisonNet Carbs/oz
Almonds2.5g
Macadamias1.5g
Pecans1.2g
Walnuts2g
Cashews8g
Pistachios5g

Keto almond uses:

  • Straight snacking
  • Almond flour for baking
  • Almond butter on celery
  • Crusting for fish/chicken

High-Protein Diet

Almonds contribute protein but shouldn’t be your primary source:

Per 1 oz (164 cal):

  • Protein: 6g
  • Protein percentage: 15% of calories

Comparison (same calories):

Food (164 cal)Protein
Almonds (1 oz)6g
Chicken breast (3.5 oz)31g
Greek yogurt (1 cup)17g
Eggs (2 large)12g

How to use for protein: Add almonds to meals for extra protein (not as primary source). 1 oz on a salad adds 6g protein.

Muscle Building/Bulking

Almonds shine during bulking—easy calories from healthy fats:

High-calorie almond additions:

AdditionCalories
1/4 cup almonds in oatmeal207
2 tbsp almond butter in smoothie196
Handful with protein shake164

Bulking snack:

  • 1.5 oz almonds (246 cal)
  • 1 oz dark chocolate (155 cal)
  • = 400 calories, portable, no prep

Almonds being added to oatmeal with fruit

Almonds vs. Other Nuts

How do almonds stack up against the competition?

Per 1 oz (28g)

NutCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiber
Almonds1646g6g14g3.5g
Walnuts1854.3g4g18.5g1.9g
Cashews1575.2g8.6g12.4g0.9g
Pistachios1595.7g7.7g12.9g3g
Pecans1962.6g4g20g2.7g
Macadamias2042.2g4g21g2.4g
Peanuts*1617g4.6g14g2.4g

*Technically a legume

Why Choose Almonds?

Best protein-to-calorie ratio: 6g protein for 164 calories beats most nuts

Highest fiber: 3.5g per ounce (tied with pistachios)

Moderate calories: Not the lowest, but not the highest either

Most versatile: Works whole, sliced, as flour, butter, or milk

When to Choose Other Nuts

  • Lowest carb: Pecans, macadamias
  • Highest protein: Peanuts (technically legumes)
  • Most omega-3s: Walnuts
  • Best for snacking portions: Pistachios (in-shell slows eating)

Meal Ideas with Almonds

Breakfast Additions

Almond-boosted oatmeal:

IngredientCaloriesProtein
1/2 cup oats1566.8g
1 oz sliced almonds1646g
1/2 banana530.6g
Total37313.4g

Almond butter toast:

IngredientCaloriesProtein
2 slices whole grain bread1608g
2 tbsp almond butter1966.8g
Total35614.8g

Snack Combinations

Protein-balanced snacks:

ComboCaloriesProtein
15 almonds + string cheese18510g
10 almonds + Greek yogurt (1/2 cup)14014g
1 oz almonds + jerky (1 oz)24415g

Sweet snacks:

ComboCalories
12 almonds + dark chocolate (0.5 oz)162
1 tbsp almond butter + apple193
Almonds (1 oz) + dried apricots (1 oz)232

Dinner Uses

Almond-crusted chicken:

IngredientCaloriesProtein
6 oz chicken breast28153g
1/4 cup crushed almonds2077.5g
1 egg white (binder)173.6g
Total50564g

Salad topper:

  • Add 1 oz slivered almonds to any salad
  • Adds: 164 cal, 6g protein, crunch, healthy fats

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

Portion Control Strategy

Sunday prep:

  1. Buy bulk almonds (cheaper per ounce)
  2. Measure into 1 oz portions
  3. Store in small containers or bags
  4. Grab one portion = no measuring needed

Storage Guidelines

MethodDurationNotes
Pantry (sealed)3-4 monthsCool, dark location
Refrigerator6-12 monthsBest for long-term
Freezer1-2 yearsThaw at room temp

Signs almonds have gone bad:

  • Rancid smell (like paint)
  • Bitter taste
  • Shriveled appearance

Buying Tips

Best value:

  • Bulk bins or warehouse stores
  • Raw over roasted (cheaper, same nutrition)
  • Whole over sliced (cheaper, same nutrition)

Cost per serving (approximate):

SourceCost per oz
Bulk store$0.40-0.60
Grocery store$0.60-0.90
Pre-portioned packs$0.90-1.50

Common Tracking Mistakes

Mistake #1: Grabbing Handfuls

A “handful” isn’t a measurement. What feels like 20 almonds might be 35.

Fix: Count them out or weigh them. Every time.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Almond Butter Servings

Almond butter spreads, and so do the calories. A “tablespoon” on your knife might be 1.5 or 2.

Fix: Weigh almond butter (32g = 2 tbsp) or level carefully.

Mistake #3: Forgetting Trail Mix Almonds

Mixed into trail mix, almonds get lost—but the calories don’t.

Fix: Log trail mix accurately or make your own with measured portions.

Mistake #4: Treating Almond Milk Like Almonds

Almond milk has almost no protein despite coming from almonds.

Fix: Use almond milk for low-cal dairy substitution, not protein.

Mistake #5: Not Accounting for “A Few More”

Starting at 15 almonds, having “just a few more,” then a few more = 30+ almonds.

Fix: Portion out what you’ll eat, put the bag away.

Health Benefits Beyond Macros

Per 1 oz almonds:

NutrientAmount% Daily Value
Vitamin E7.3mg37%
Magnesium76mg19%
Riboflavin0.3mg17%
Phosphorus136mg14%
Copper0.3mg14%

Research-backed benefits:

  • May reduce LDL cholesterol
  • Supports blood sugar control
  • Linked to reduced heart disease risk
  • May help with weight management (despite calories)

The Bottom Line

Almonds are a nutritional powerhouse that fit most diets:

  • 164 calories per ounce — Know this number
  • 6g protein — Best protein-to-calorie ratio among nuts
  • 14g healthy fats — Mostly monounsaturated
  • 3.5g fiber — Keeps you satisfied

Key tracking rules:

  1. Count or weigh—never estimate
  2. Pre-portion for foolproof tracking
  3. 23 almonds = 1 oz = standard serving
  4. Log added almonds in recipes separately

Almonds can support weight loss or muscle gain depending on how you use them. The key is accurate tracking—because a 100-calorie estimation error is easy to make and adds up fast.

Related guides:

Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams, CPT, CSCS

Jessica Williams is a certified personal trainer and strength coach who has helped hundreds of clients transform their bodies through smart training and nutrition. She specializes in helping beginners navigate macro tracking and sustainable fitness practices that fit real life.

View all articles by Jessica →

Note: Nutrition values are approximate and may vary based on preparation method and source.