Roasted Spiced Nuts
This roasted spiced nuts recipe is a snack guaranteed to fill your home with the sweet and spicy smell of cinnamon sugar.
The Real Hometown Hero
My first “real job” as a teenager breaking away from the baby sitting game was working at a fruit stand at the local farmer’s market.
It was truly a dream job from which I received a group of wonderful friends, a daily bounty of free fruit, and the most amazing smells.
I vividly remember the day the roasted nut stand moved in to the market.
It felt like Christmas in July not only because of the swarms of people lined up at the new, pink stand on the corner, but because of the warm smell of cinnamon and sugar that filled the place.
So yes, you could call these roasted spiced nuts the real hometown hero of Olympia, Washington.
How to Make Roasted Spiced Nuts
While I never worked up the courage to actually ask the ladies operating this stand for their recipe, I think I’ve cracked the code as far as roasted spiced nuts go.
I’m using a blend of nuts I’m not allergic to (in the interest of not dying) but feel free to use whatever nuts you can eat or the ones you love most.
Also, I’m quite certain these ladies were using real butter for these, but trust me when I say that substituting coconut oil (get my fav organic coco oil here) will not compromise smell or flavor.
It just helps in making you feel the tiniest bit more satiated while chowing down on a bowl.
Let’s Talk Spices
It goes without saying that cinnamon and sugar are major players in this lineup. You really could leave things there spice wise and have a room full of happy snackers.
That said, spices are where you get to give the roasted spiced nuts a hit of your personality.
I went with some nutmeg to ramp up the nutty flavor and pepper and cayenne for heat. But you can really take this in your own direction depending on the mood / crowd you’re cooking for.
Here are some other spice ideas you could venture towards:
- star anise
- paprika
- skip the sweet altogether and use your favorite savory seasoning (old bay, taco, etc.)
Roasted Spiced Nuts
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
3/4 cup walnuts
3/4 cup macadamia nuts
3/4 cup cashews
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cayenne
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pepper
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp vegan butter or coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350. In a bowl, combine the spices and nuts.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter or oil and sugar until the oil is melted completely. Drizzle over the nuts. Spread on a greased baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Drizzle with the maple syrup and toss to mix.
- Bake for an additional 5 minutes and cool for 45 minutes. Keep fresh in an air tight container for up to 1 week. Enjoy!