Almonds take over snack drawers as Americans ditch chips and pretzels

National Almond Day celebrates one of America’s most dependable, better-for-you snacks. Almonds continue to edge out chips and pretzels with a fiber and protein boost that keeps hunger in check. Packed into school lunchboxes and stashed in office desk drawers, they’ve earned their spot as the go-to snack that offers steadier energy than a quick handful of chips.

Activated Almonds. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

To celebrate National Almond Day, snack fans upgrade almonds beyond the familiar handful of raw nuts, turning them into seasoned mixes, chocolate-covered bites and crunchy add-ins. With an excuse to snack a little more, the day often leads to shared bowls in homes, classrooms and offices, where even a full container rarely survives the afternoon.

America’s favorite better-for-you snack

National Almond Day celebrates a snack that already holds a firm place in American pantries and desk drawers. Almonds remain the top-selling tree nut in the United States, with nutrition playing a major role in their continued popularity. It delivers more fiber than many other nuts and ranks near the top for protein, a mix that helps people stay satisfied longer and curb extra snacking.

Consumer demand drove almond sales up 12% in the 12 months ending May 2025. That growth suggests they remain a regular pick in snack drawers and lunchboxes across the country. Nutrition-focused marketing often promotes benefits such as weight management.

Retail shelves expand snack selection

Almonds take up prominent space in major retailers, not limited to the baking aisle but stocked throughout everyday snack sections. At Walmart, Fisher Chef’s Naturals stocks whole kernels, toasted slices and slivered options that fit both snacking and cooking. Blue Diamond Almonds, one of the most recognized names in the category, expands its lineup with bold picks such as wasabi and soy sauce, blueberry, spicy dill pickle and dark chocolate sea salt caramel.

At Target, almonds also appear in several ready-to-eat snack choices. Nature Valley includes almonds in its sweet and salty dark chocolate peanut and almond granola bars, while Aloha features coconut chocolate almond in its plant-based protein bar lineup. From single-serve packs to snack bars, almonds appear in multiple formats that meet shoppers where they already browse for quick bites.

Creative ways to snack

Almonds fit easily into everyday snacking without much preparation. Melted dark chocolate poured over whole or chopped nuts sets into a quick bark that handles dessert cravings. A short roast with honey and a touch of sea salt creates a lightly sweet batch that can take the place of candy.

In the kitchen, they add texture and depth to simple foods. Chopped pieces over baked apples or spooned into yogurt add crunch. Mixed into oats with maple syrup, they help build a week’s worth of homemade granola. They also blend into no-bake bites with dates and cocoa, stir into cookie or brownie batter or toss with popcorn and chocolate pieces for a sweet and salty bowl. Almond butter pressed between banana slices and chilled makes a compact snack that travels well.

National Almond Day offers a reason to get creative with the pantry favorite. A small seasoning station with paprika, garlic powder or cinnamon can turn plain roasted nuts into custom batches. A food processor can spin them into a smooth spread for pears or whole-grain crackers.

Home bakers can try biscotti or almond flour cookies, while hosts can swap the usual chip bowl for a board built around roasted nuts, aged cheese and dried fruit. Small snack kits for work or labeled cups of trail mix in a break room keep the celebration going beyond the kitchen.

A snack worth celebrating

Almonds continue to hold their place in snack drawers alongside longtime favorites, showing how firmly they fit into everyday eating habits. Many shoppers reach for them as part of a more mindful approach to snacking, choosing something that feels balanced and practical. National Almond Day brings that pattern into focus, reminding people that small, consistent choices can influence how they stock their kitchens and build their routines.

Zuzana Paar is the visionary behind five inspiring websites: Amazing Travel Life, Low Carb No Carb, Best Clean Eating, Tiny Batch Cooking and Sustainable Life Ideas. As a content creator, recipe developer, blogger and photographer, Zuzana shares her diverse skills through breathtaking travel adventures, healthy recipes and eco-friendly living tips. Her work inspires readers to live their best, healthiest and most sustainable lives.

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