This yummy Moroccan almond dip will take you directly to its amazing country! In this post, Rawda will explain you how to make authentic Moroccan amlou, a recipe for the tastiest dip you’ll ever have!
You can find the recipe below! Enjoy!
Hi, I’m Rawda!
I’m a 22-year-old food blogger and I live in the beautiful coastal city of Al-Hoceima. Growing up in a Berber household, food in our culture goes beyond sustenance.
An authentic Berber recipe will send you down to flashbacks of family gatherings, harvest season, and holiday celebrations.
Amazigh cuisine is also deeply connected with the concept of earth and agriculture. Which explains the diversity of Berber cuisine as each region is geographically unique.
In this blog post, I will take you on a tour to the south of Morocco and teach you how to make one the most staple side dishes in Moroccan cuisine.
The cultural background
I can’t make Amlou without recalling the good old days of spring tours to the mid valleys of Sous region and the adventurous hikes to Atlas mountains.
If there is one thing that Sousi people are known for, it’s Amlou, also known as Amlu or Moroccan almond butter.
This delicious almond dip is a traditional side dish originating from south Morocco, particularly from the Sous region. The Sous region is known for its Argan trees and Argan oil production, which is a staple ingredient in Amazigh cuisine.
This simple side dish is a delicate combination of freshly ground almonds, raw honey, and Argan oil that peers perfectly with Moroccan Baghrir, Msemen, and Malwi. A semi-sweet side dish that makes traditional Moroccan flatbreads even tastier!
Amlou is usually served for breakfast or tea time and it’s a must-have if you are inviting guests around!
Traditionally speaking, authentic Amlou is made by stone grounding toasted almonds by a group of local women. Then they add organic Argan oil and honey to make a smooth almond dip or spread.
Thanks to food processors, anyone can make this recipe at any time by processing the almonds into a smooth paste or using store-bought almond butter!
How to make Moroccan Amlou
Ingredients
- 3 cups of unpeeled raw almonds
- 1/2 cup of Raw Honey
- 1 cup of Argan oil
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
2. Place raw almonds on a large baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about ten minutes with consistent stirring in between to avoid burning or over toasting them.
3. Toast until slightly browned and cracked.
4. Let the almonds cool for five minutes before transferring them to a food processor.
5. Blend on high speed with pausing to scrub the sides if needed. Keep on blending until you reach a smooth and creamy almond butter consistency. Note that it takes time and patience to achieve the required consistency.
6. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add honey and Argan oil and mix thoroughly using a spatula until you reach a well combined and creamy consistency.
What to serve with Amlou?
Traditionally, Amlou is served with traditional Moroccan flatbread. You can serve it with whole-grain bread as Amlou makes a great substitute for peanut butter or hazelnut spread.
For a healthy option, I usually serve Amlou as a fruit or veggie dip. I also use it as a salad dressing or drizzle and it makes a great addition to fruit salads!
Argan oil substitutes
The original recipe calls for Argan oil since it originates from a region where Argan oil is used in almost every recipe. However, other regions substitute Argan oil with extra virgin olive oil or they use a bit of both.
If you don’t have access to Argan oil, you can use olive oil. I have used it before and it tastes just as good with a slightly strong olive flavor. Make sure you are using high quality extra virgin olive oil for this recipe.
Tips and tricks
Traditionally, Amlou has a very liquidy consistency and it’s usually served as a dip. If you wish to make it thicker, cut down on the amount of Argan oil you use depending on how you want it to be. In terms of consistency, this recipe is completely customizable!
You can also use store-bought almond butter to prepare this side dish in no time!
When I crave Amlou very badly, I just add one tablespoon of almond butter with one tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of Argan oil or olive oil. I mix everything and voila! you have made Amlou without having to prepare it in huge quantities which is a quick and great way to make if you are feeling lazy.
It’s up to you now!
It looks very good, doesn’t it? I personally can’t wait to try this at home! Did you enjoy this Moroccan amlou recipe as well? If you tried this almond dip, let me know in the comments below how it turned out!
You can find the original recipe as well as many other delicious recipes on Rawda’s food blog Healthy Deliciousness!
If you’re interested in more international recipes, check out the other ‘International Recipes‘ on the blog!
3 thoughts on “Amlou Recipe: Morocco’s Berber Almond Butter”
This looks delicious. I didn’t even know that argan oil is edible!
Thank you!
It is, however, the process to produce argan oil for cosmetic use may differ from the edible version and render it inedible. You need to make sure you buy argan oil that is in fact edible. In Morocco, you need to specifically ask for edible argan oil.