You’ll love this Italian biscotti recipe because it’s easy to make, tasty, crunchy, and with a pleasant almond flavor.
The recipe does not use eggs or butter. The biscotti are perfect for Christmas or an Italian-themed dinner. They are excellent dipped in sweet dessert wine or as is.
Similar recipes: vegan custard, vegan panna cotta, vegan apple cake.
What are biscotti?
Biscotti, called Cantucci or Tozzetti in Italy, are probably the most famous Italian cookies, and every Nonna has their secret recipe.
As a child, I ate (too) many of them, homemade by my Italian grandma and aunt.
After the unmissable Sunday lunch, they would come out of the kitchen with the most enormous cookie tray in the world.
This biscotti recipe is adapted from my Nonna’s recipe, so you can be assured that it tastes 100% Italian.
The recipe is without eggs or butter, so the biscotti stay crunchy longer, are lighter, and are easier to make. Plus, everyone at the table can eat them!
We recommend dipping them in Vin Santo, a sweet Italian wine, or any other dessert wine from your local area.
Fun Fact: Biscotti in Italian means “cooked twice” from “bis” (twice) and “cotti” (cooked).
Ingredients and substitutions
Find the complete recipe with ingredients and instructions in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.
Wet Ingredients
- Almond milk is the best milk for this biscotti recipe because it boosts the nutty flavor of the biscotti. You can substitute any other milk for almond milk.
- Vegetable oil: Any will work. We recommend olive oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, or canola oil.
- Sugar and powdered sugar: They are both recommended in this recipe. However, you could also use sugar. We find that the combination of both makes this biscotti recipe crunchier.
- Citrus zest: We add both lemon and orange zest. You can use just one or the other if you prefer, or you can replace it with anise seeds.
- Vanilla extract is optional, but it complements the other ingredients well. Substitute almond extract, anise extract, or cinnamon.
Dry Ingredients
- Flour: We use all-purpose flour. We have not tested these biscuits with gluten-free flour.
- Baking powder: It gives the biscotti a slight rise and crunch and makes them friable when you bite them.
- Almonds: Almonds are the most popular nut for biscotti. Substitute hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, dark chocolate chips, pistachios, raisins, dried cherries, or cranberries.
- Salt: A pinch of sea salt brings the ingredients together.
How to make biscotti
Quantities are in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.
Preheat the oven to 340°F or 170°C.
To a bowl, add 1/3 cup of almond milk, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest, 1 teaspoon of grated orange zest, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Whisk until well combined.
Fold 3/4 cup of almonds or your chosen add-ins in the liquid mixture.
Tip: Follow our quantities. If you add too many nuts or other flavorings, the dough will not hold them in and will fall apart while shaping.
Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1 pinch of salt, and mix with a spatula until you get a dough.
Transfer the dough to a lightly dusted worktop and knead with your hands for a minute.
You want to get to a compact dough ball without over-kneading.
Cut the dough into two parts and shape each into a long, flat log.
Arrange the two logs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 25 minutes in a preheated oven at 340°F or 170°C.
Then, take them out of the oven and let them cool down on the tray for 20 minutes.
Cut the logs diagonally into the classic biscotti shape. Use a serrated knife or bread knife.
Tip: The logs need to have cooled down for 20 minutes, or they’ll fall apart when you slice them.
Arrange the biscotti back on the baking tray, cut side facing down, and bake for ten more minutes or until golden.
The second baking will make them crispy, golden, and tasty.
Let them cool down completely on a wire rack before serving.
Serving suggestions
Biscotti are typically served on a platter with other cookies. In many homes, they are also eaten for breakfast, after lunch or dinner, mid-morning, or as an afternoon snack – basically at any time!
Try making our other delicious cookies, such as Orange Almond Cookies, Amaretti, and Red Wine Cookies.
They are all perfect for the autumn and winter holiday season or any other time when you want a delicious sweet treat.
Variations
Chocolate dipped biscotti
A crunchy cookie covered in dark chocolate is the perfect sweet treat for a special occasion.
Chocolate chips and cranberry biscotti
Substitute ¼ cup dark chocolate chips and ¼ cup dry cranberries for the almonds. Chocolate and cranberries are divine together, especially when hugged by a crunchy cookie.
Tips
Don’t add too many nuts: Do not add too many nuts, as the dough will not hold them in. It will be impossible to shape the biscotti. It’s best to stick to our measurements.
Let them cool after the first bake: If you try to cut the biscotti while they are still hot, the dough will crumble, and you won’t get clear-cut biscotti.
Don’t let them cool for more than 20-30 minutes, though, or they’ll be difficult to cut.
Storage
Make ahead: biscotti are the perfect recipe to make ahead as they keep well for weeks. You can even give them as a Christmas present!
Room temperature: Store in a tin box, glass jar, or airtight container in a cool and dry spot for 2 -3 weeks.
Add a piece of bread to the container with the biscotti. The bread will absorb excess moisture, keeping the cookies crunchy longer.
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Biscotti
Equipment
- serrated knife (bread knife)
Ingredients
Wet ingredients
- ⅓ cup almond milk or other milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil such as olive oil, canola oil, or other
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon orange zest optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry ingredients
- ¾ cup almonds
- 1½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 340°F or 170°C.To a bowl, add ⅓ cup almond milk, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon orange zest, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.Whisk until well combined.
- Stir in ¾ cup almonds.
- Add 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoon baking powder, and 1 pinch salt.Mix with a spatula until you get a dough.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly dusted worktop and knead with your hands for a minute. You want a compact dough ball without over-kneading.
- Cut the dough into two parts and shape each into a long, flat log.Arrange the two logs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 25 minutes at 340°F or 170°C then let cool down for 20 minutes.
- Cut the logs diagonally into the classic biscotti shape. Use a serrated knife or bread knife.
- Put back on the tray, flat on the cut side, and bake for 10 minutes or until golden.
- Let cool down completely before serving.
Video
The best! I won t make biscotti any other way.
Wow this recipe is amazing!
I used lemon zest and anise seed because that is what I happened to have on hand. The recipe was great but the only wildcard I came across was that I got 14 cookies, following the recipe measurements exactly. Perhaps I cut them too big. I’m not a great baker when it comes to doughs so perhaps my kneading was off ???? Regardless, the taste was amazing and I thank you for sharing your recipe! Making a batch for my mom as a gift since biscotti is her favorite!
Hi Jenn,
Thank you so much — I’m thrilled you enjoyed the biscotti! Lemon zest and anise seed sound like such a lovely twist. Getting 14 cookies is totally fine — depending on the size and shape, the yield can vary a bit. And your mom is going to love that homemade batch — what a sweet gift!
Kindest,
Louise
Would I be able to make it chocolate base, how much flour would I remove to add some Cacao powder?
Hi Ju,
It’s a very different recipe that requires testing, so we’re unable to advise. Sorry we cannot be of more help 🙂 All the best to you and your family.
I have tried many biscotti recipes, but this is definitely the best. They manage to stay crunchy even after a few days. I replaced the sugar with honey, because I have a food sensitivity to cane sugar. Came out great! Grazie.
Wonderful news, Frank!! Thanks so much for the tip regarding honey, that’s a helpful substitutions for others with the same food sensitivities 🙂
Have a great week ahead. Kindest, Louise
All ingredients measurements and recipe is perfect.I made it and it is awesome.Tasty,crunchy and not too sweet.
Perfect ingredients and recipe.It is perfectly baked very good ,crunchy and tasty.