Sweet and Savory Walnut Snacks

BY Rosane Oliveira, DVM, PhD

Our Sweet and Savory Walnuts have no refined sugar, salt or oil and are a great snack to crunch and munch with your family and friends. This recipe includes both a sweet (with maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla) and a savory version (with paprika, cumin, red chili flakes, coriander, and garlic powder). They can be prepared in 20 minutes or less and stored for several weeks. Enjoy!

Ingredients

Sweet

  • 1 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 tablespoon tamari, low-sodium
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Savory

  • 1 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 2 tablespoons water or orange juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon coriander (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • PREP TIME 5
  • COOK TIME 5-20
  • Serves 6

Directions

Sweet

  1. Preheat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat, then add ingredients, stirring constantly for 2-5 minutes, or until syrup has caramelized.
  2. Spread walnuts on parchment or wax paper and cool for two hours (syrup will harden within 20-30 minutes). Walnuts can be stored in an airtight container for several weeks.

Savory

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large bowl, toss walnuts and water/orange juice. Add spices and stir to coat. Place on baking sheet and cook for 15-20 minutes or until toasted. Walnuts can be stored in an airtight container for several weeks.

 

Note: The sodium in tamari ‘breaks’ the sweetness of the maple syrup in the Sweet variation. If you want to avoid (or reduce) sodium in your diet, you may use 1/8 teaspoon cayenne or chipotle pepper instead. The walnuts will have a sweet and spicy taste.