What can I use instead of almonds?

Almost identical fat content and density, so they toast, chop and grind on the same schedule and give the same crunch.

MethodToast at 350°F/175°C for about 12 minutes, then rub them in a tea towel to remove the papery skins, which are unpleasantly bitter.

Trade-offSweeter and much more aromatic. In a delicate frangipane the hazelnut takes over rather than staying in the background.

Allergen checkHazelnuts are a tree nut and one of the more commonly reported nut allergies in Europe. Check packaging for shared-line processing, since nuts are routinely handled together. A severe nut allergy is a medical matter and should be managed with a clinician, not worked around in a recipe.

Similar size and oil content, though cashews are softer and starchier, which makes them grind smoother and hold their shape less well when chopped.

Trade-offMilder, sweeter and softer, with far less crunch. Better in a sauce or a curry than in a praline.

Allergen checkCashews are a tree nut and are among the nuts most often linked to severe reactions. They are also frequently processed alongside other nuts, so read the label for shared-equipment warnings. Anyone with a diagnosed nut allergy should treat this as a clinical question rather than a cooking one.

They carry a comparable fat content and toast to a similar crunch, and they are genuinely free of tree nuts and peanuts, which makes them the right answer for a school-safe or nut-allergic kitchen.

MethodToast in a dry pan over medium heat for four or five minutes, shaking often, until they smell nutty and colour lightly.

Trade-offMore savoury and noticeably smaller, so they scatter through a bake rather than giving distinct pieces. In batters raised with baking soda they can turn green — harmless, but startling.

Allergen checkSunflower seeds are not nuts and are the standard nut-free substitution. Even so, they are often packed on lines that also handle nuts, so for a severe allergy choose a brand that certifies a nut-free facility rather than trusting the ingredient list.

A comparable volume of nut with a higher oil content, so they soften faster in a bake and go rancid sooner in the cupboard.

Trade-offSofter, oilier and faintly tannic, so a biscuit loses the clean snap almonds give it.

Allergen checkWalnuts are a tree nut. Where the reason for the substitution is an allergy rather than what is in the cupboard, use toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Look for shared-equipment statements on the packet, and take a diagnosed nut allergy to a clinician rather than solving it at the stove.