Sweet & Spicy Toasted Walnuts
Elevate your snack game with these irresistibly crunchy walnuts. A warm, aromatic spice blend with a hint of sweetness makes them a perfect heart-healthy treat or salad topper.
Servings 10
Calories 174kcal
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Small Bowl
- Whisk
- Silicone spatula
- Heavy-duty half-sheet pan
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups walnut halves and pieces about 250 g
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons water
- 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan : Set an oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 275∘F (135∘C). Line the heavy-duty half-sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Create the Spice Glaze : In the large mixing bowl, vigorously whisk the egg white and water together until light and foamy, about 45 seconds. Whisk in the maple syrup until just combined.
- Combine the Spices : In the separate small bowl, stir together the cinnamon, ginger, sea salt, nutmeg, cayenne, and cloves until uniform.
- Form the Coating : Sprinkle the spice mixture into the foamy egg white mixture and whisk until a smooth, fragrant glaze forms.
- Coat the Walnuts : Add the walnut halves to the bowl with the glaze. Using the silicone spatula, gently fold and stir until every nut is thoroughly and evenly coated.
- Arrange for Roasting : Pour the coated walnuts onto the prepared pan and spread them into a single, even layer. Make sure the nuts are not overcrowded.
- Slow-Roast to Perfection : Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, removing the pan every 10 minutes to toss the nuts with a spatula. This ensures they toast evenly on all sides. The nuts are ready when they appear a deep golden-brown and the coating looks matte and dry.
- Cool and Crisp : Place the pan on a wire rack and let the walnuts cool completely, about 25 minutes. They will continue to dry and become significantly crispier as their temperature drops.
Notes
🥡 Storage & Tips
Storage: Once fully cooled, transfer the walnuts to an airtight container. They will stay fresh and crunchy at room temperature for up to 10 days. Spice Variations: For a smoky flavor without the heat, replace the cayenne pepper with an equal amount of smoked paprika. For a bright, citrusy note, add 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest to the spice blend. Troubleshooting: If your walnuts feel tacky or sticky after cooling, they may be slightly under baked. You can return them to the 275°F oven for an additional 5–7 minutes to help them dry out completely before cooling again.🍽️ Nutrition Information (Per Serving, Approx.)
Serving Size: ¼ cup (about 28 g)- Calories: 174
- Total Fat: 16.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 11.8 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 123 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 6 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2 g
- Total Sugars: 2.5 g
- Includes Added Sugars: 2 g
- Net Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Protein: 4.2 g
- Vitamin D: 0 mcg
- Calcium: 29 mg
- Iron: 0.8 mg
- Potassium: 128 mg
- Vitamin C: 0 mg