If you’ve done or are doing a Whole30, or are trying your hand at the paleo diet, or even if you’re just trying to eat healthier and replace some of those chips with more nutritious options, you may have discovered nuts are your very best friend. I know I have!
I’ve been trying to stick to the paleo diet for most of 2015 though I’ve fallen way off the wagon a few times and still don’t force myself to be perfect every day. I’ve also done two whole30’s in that time. I absolutely love the way I feel when I eat clean but it is a lot of work, especially when you’ve gone from never cooking at all ever to making all three meals a day from scratch.
When I am doing well sticking to the diet, though, nuts are my go-to snack. I know on both diets you’re still supposed to watch your snacking and not go over board on the highly fatty nuts but I’ve found even when I do, I still feel great and lose weight so I don’t stress too much about those rules.
I love raw almonds and cashews but sometimes I want something a little different! I’ve been playing around with roasting nuts and come up with these 6 fabulous recipes that are all downright DELICIOUS! There’s 2 savory options and 4 sweet ones (I still got that sweet tooth…). I find that these are especially great when you’re getting together with friends and family who aren’t as concerned with diet but you want some compliant snacks on hand. They’re also the kind of paleo/whole30 treat that’ll convince the strongest critic that you can eat yummy while being healthy. Does cinnamon roll and pumpkin pie almonds, coconut cashews and candied walnuts sound good to you? Yeah, I thought so…
All of these recipes are a simple mixing of ingredients and then roasting in a low temp oven for 1 hour except the walnuts, those you just mix in a sauce pan and allow to cool! Nothing hard or requiring any kitchen skills WHATSOEVER. click through to see all the recipes + pictures and enjoy!
*Most of the sweet options actually are not Whole30 approved, as the diet discourages any kind of sweetener and coconut sugar is used here. But the savory recipes are and the sugar can be left out while still wielding a delicious treat!
1. Cinnamon Roll Roasted Almonds
1 C raw almonds
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp coconut sugar
Preheat oven to 250. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, spread out on a cookie sheet and roast in oven for 1 hour.
2. Pumpkin Pie Roasted Almonds
1 C raw almonds
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Preheat oven to 250. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, spread out on a cookie sheet and roast in oven for 1 hour.
3. Coconut Roasted Cashews
1 C raw cashews
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
Optional sprinkle of coconut sugar (this will make it non whole30)
Preheat oven to 250. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, spread out on a cookie sheet and roast in oven for 1 hour.
4.Savory Garlic Roasted Almonds
1 C raw almonds
1 tbsp coconut or olive oil, melted
1/4 tsp + sprinkle salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Preheat oven to 250. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, spread out on a cookie sheet and roast in oven for 1 hour.
5. Paleo Candied Walnuts
1 C raw walnuts
1 tbsp coconut oil
1/4 tsp coconut sugar
Mix oil and sugar in a small sauce pan until melted. Allow to boil for about a minute, stirring continuously. Mix walnuts in and stir together until coated. Spread out on a cookie sheet and allow to cool and harden (about half an hour).
6. Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Cashews
1 C raw cashews
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp + sprinkle salt
Preheat oven to 250. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, spread out on a cookie sheet and roast in oven for 1 hour.
I tried making the candied walnuts but maybe I did something wrong. At what point does the coconut oil and sugar start to boil? I didn’t allow them to bubble because it smelled like the oil was just starting to burn. What temperature did you have the burner on? Should I have let them cook longer?