Description
A festive, crunchy holiday snack with warm cinnamon, buttery sweetness, and just the right balance of sweet and savory, these Roasted Christmas Nuts are perfect for a quick snack board, easy party appetizer, homemade food gift, and simple holiday recipe to add to your favorite Christmas food ideas and holiday snack ideas.
Ingredients
3 cups mixed nuts
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary, optional
1 tablespoon dried cranberries, optional for mixing in after cooling
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, cayenne, and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Add the mixed nuts and toss well until evenly coated.
4. Spread the nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Roast for 18 to 25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until glossy and fragrant.
6. Remove from the oven and let the nuts cool completely so the coating can set.
7. Toss with chopped rosemary and dried cranberries if using, then serve or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Watch the nuts closely during the last few minutes because the sugar coating can darken quickly.
Let the nuts cool fully before storing so they stay crisp instead of soft.
For the best flavor balance, use a mix of mild and rich nuts like cashews, almonds, pecans, and walnuts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Holiday snack
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 255
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 8mg