A refreshing and authentic Italian snack that you can easily make at home! The hardest part in making Sicilian Almond Granita is waiting for it to freeze. A summer treat that will surely become one of your favorites!

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Almond granita is typically served for snacks and breakfast.
Yep, I was surprised with that too. But it works. I mean, summer in Sicily is really HOT, it being the southernmost part of Italy.
Every glass of granita provides a refreshing, sweet reprieve from the Sicilian heat, and if you like an entirely local experience, you better serve it with Sicilian brioche as well. 🙂
IF YOU WANT MORE TRADITIONAL ITALIAN TREATS FOR SUMMER, THEN YOU WOULD LOVE THESE POSTS!
Ingredients
- Powdered sugar – you can just use your favorite brand.
- Almonds – natural, whole almonds.
- Sugar – regular white sugar is excellent for this almond granita recipe.
- Milk – you can use either almond milk or regular milk. I prefer almond milk because it adds to the overall flavor of almonds.
Preparation
Start by using a blender to ground the almonds into a slightly powdery texture (photo 1).
Add powdered sugar, regular sugar, and almond milk. Blend to combine evenly (photo 2).
Strain the mixture to eliminate big chunks of almonds and pour it directly into a freezer-proof tin (photo 3).
Freeze uncovered for an hour or two until the top has solidified a bit. It depends on the temperature of your freezer – mine typically takes about an hour.
Scrape by using a fork (photo 4).
Put the container back in the freezer and repeat it every hour for the next three hours.
Serve with sprinkled chopped almonds on top, if desired.
Helpful tips
- Make sure you don’t ground the almonds too much or end up with almond butter.
- Do not add all the sugar at once. Taste and adjust as per your preference.
- If you don’t want to serve it yet, cover the tin with aluminum foil and place it back in the freezer until serving.
Recipe variation
- Regular milk. Full cream milk is generally used for making granita. I just opted to use almond milk when I discovered it in a small bar in Siracusa (during our last Sicilian trip) — it really does add depth to the almond flavor.
- Toasted or blanched almonds. You can either remove the almonds’ skin, toast them, or do both; it’s all up to you.
FAQs
Originally from Sicily, granita is a semi-frozen blend of sugar, liquid (i.e., milk or water), and some flavorings like fruits, nuts, or chocolates.
Nowadays, though, you see them in every region of Italy – most of the time adding their twist to it.
Not all of them, but this particular recipe is.
The ones I’ve tried on the island of Sicily are mostly made of regular milk. I’ve only tried the one with almond milk in Siracusa – and that’s the flavor that has stuck to me.
You don’t just see faint traces of almonds; you taste it as well.
You can use either sweetened or unsweetened almond milk – but be sure to adjust the amount of sugar accordingly. For this recipe, I use unsweetened almond milk because that’s the one I had on hand.
Always taste (and adjust) the mixture before even straining and pouring it into the tin.
Looks so refreshing right? So give this Sicilian almond granita a try, and let me know what you think! 🙂
Sicilian Almond Granita Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 & 1/4 cup whole almonds, (200 grams)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 cups almond milk (or regular milk), unsweetened
Instructions
- Using a blender, ground the almonds to a powdery texture.
- Add powdered sugar, sugar, almond milk and continue blending to combine.
- Strain the mixture to get rid of any big almond chunks left. Pour it directly into a freezer-free tin.
- Place in the freezer uncovered for an hour or two until the top has solidified a bit. (It depends on how cold your freezer is, but mine generally takes about an hour.)
- Use a fork to scrape the granita. Put the container back in the freezer and repeat it every hour for the next 3 hours.
- Transfer almond granita in a glass and serve.
Notes
- Cook’s Tip #1: Don’t ground the almonds too much, or you will end up with almond butter.
- Cook’s Tip #2: It’s better not to add all the sugar at once. Taste and adjust as per your preference.
- Cook’s Tip #3: If you don’t want to serve it yet, cover the tin with aluminum foil and place it back in the freezer until serving.
Biagio
Hi Neriz! I’m Sicilian but I’m living and working in Brazil. I love Scandinavian Kitchen and I’m so happy to see your almond granita!!!!! 😉
Thank you !!!!!
Minzee
Can you use almond meal/flour, already ground? Thanks!
Rita
You sure could. I dont see any reason why you couldnt! 🤗😋
Lotus
Love this!
Neriz
Thank you Lotus! 🙂
Rosa Scoddo-Sessa
Delicious and so easy to make!
Neriz
Thank you Rosa! Glad you liked it. 🙂