Rosemary, Maple and Cayenne Mixed Nuts

Rosemary, Maple and Cayenne Mixed Nuts | Food & Nutrition | Stone Soup
Photo: Stephanie Van't Zelfden, RDN, CDN, LDN

If you are looking for a simple recipe, full of flavor and fancy enough to give as a gift, you have come to the right place! This is one of my all-time favorite snack recipes. As the nuts cool from the oven, they get this candy-like crunch on the outside. The rosemary helps cool off the spicy cayenne pepper. You can adjust the sweet and spice however you like it, and however you make them, you will end up making them again and again!

Easy. Healthy. Perfect for sharing.Rosemary, Maple and Cayenne Mixed Nuts -

I first started making this recipe five or six years ago, once my husband and I decided to cut down on our gift giving during the holiday season. I was leaving my full-time job to become a full-time (unpaid) intern on my journey to become a registered dietitian. My husband was planning to leave his full-time job and transition to full-time freelance work. We struggled to figure out how to balance our finances. We loved getting our family and friends gifts for holidays and parties throughout the year. But we just couldn’t keep doing it the same way. So, we decided to swap out store-bought gifts for homemade gifts. Even with using some fancy ingredients, we would still save money on gifts, and we love to share good food with our loved ones.

This was one of the first successful homemade gifts I tried. I like to get my nuts and seeds from the bulk bins at my local health food store. It allows me to customize what’s in the mix and get as much (or as little) as I like. My favorite nuts to include are almonds, walnuts, cashews and pecans. But I’ve also made this mix with peanuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. It always comes out fantastic!

A great after-school snack for kids.

Are you looking for a healthy and hearty recipe for your older kids? This nut mix makes a great snack and exposes your kids to lots of new and interesting flavors. The fiber and healthy fats in nuts will help keep your kids full until dinner is ready and the mild spice may actually get them to drink more water! These nuts should be enjoyed by kids aged four years and older because nuts can be a choking hazard for younger kids. You child can help with this recipe by:

  • Choosing which nuts and seeds to use
  • Measuring and combining the nuts and seeds
  • Measuring and combining the remaining ingredients in a bowl
  • Stirring the nuts as they are baking (if your child is old enough to safely be around hot pans)
  • Taste testing the results!

Rosemary, Maple, and Cayenne Mixed Nuts

Serves 15 to 20

Ingredients

  • 6 cups raw nuts and seeds, any kind and variety
  • 1 tablespoon dried, ground rosemary
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (use more or less as desired)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable or coconut oil
  • ¼ cup maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Spread nuts and seeds in an even layer on the baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 10 minutes, stirring once. The nuts should smell toasty and fragrant.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients.
  4. Add the hot toasted nuts and seeds to the bowl, and toss to coat.
  5. Return to the baking sheet, and bake in the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. The nuts should look very toasted. If you smell burning, remove from the oven.
  6. Remove from the oven and let cool.
Stephanie Van't Zelfden on FacebookStephanie Van't Zelfden on InstagramStephanie Van't Zelfden on LinkedinStephanie Van't Zelfden on Twitter
Stephanie Van't Zelfden
Stephanie Van't Zelfden, RDN, CDN, LDN, is a mom, home cook and founder of Nutrition Hungry, a food and nutrition brand that helps busy families improve their health! Nutrition Hungry focuses on family & child nutrition concerns such as food allergy management, picky eating and feeding babies. Connect with her at Nutrition Hungry and on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.