Christmas Spiced Nuts (Easy & Delicious!)

No one will be able to resist these Christmas Spiced Nuts. They’re perfectly spiced and so tasty!

If there’s one thing I think everyone enjoys this time of year, it’s the food. Agree? Especially all the snacks and desserts! There’s so many different Christmas recipes I look forward to making every year. If you want some of my favorites, see my list of Christmas Cookies and other sweets. This year is my first time making these, and I can confidently say this Christmas Spiced Nuts recipe is one I will be making every year from here on out.

These nuts are perfectly spiced with a touch of sweetness, and are roasted to perfection. They’re incredibly ADDICTING, so don’t say I didn’t warn you! The coconut sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, and ginger is an unbeatable combination. It’s not only delicious, but will leave your house smelling heavenly. I wish I could bottle up the smell and make a candle out of it!

This recipe is perfect for all occasions this holiday season . Need a Christmas gift idea? Gift these nuts to someone in a festive jar. Hosting a Christmas party? Serve these nuts in a cute bowl for people to pick at. Craving a holiday flavored snack? Make a batch or two so you can snack all season long. These Christmas Spiced nuts are literally the answer to everything!

Just think about snacking on these nuts along with some hot chocolate, fudge, or a soft, ginger cookie. What could possibly sound better?!

Now that I’ve raved about how much I love these spiced nuts, I want to tell you about all the nutrition they contain. All types of nuts are loaded with lots of healthy fats, vitamins and minerals; however, each specific kind of nut has a unique nutritional value. I like to use a mixture of pecans, almonds, walnuts, and cashews. You can really use any kinds you like!

Health Benefits of Nuts

Let me walk you through some health benefits in each type of nut I used in this Christmas Spiced Nuts recipe:

Pecans: A certified “heart-healthy” food. They are great for lowering cholesterol levels and contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals! Some of these include vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B, calcium, folic acid, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and fiber.

Almonds: These nuts have a pretty impressive nutrient profile. Just one ounce of almonds contains 37% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin E. They are loaded with antioxidants, can assist in blood sugar control, and contain lots of protein which will help keep you feeling full.

Walnuts: Ironically, walnuts are great for your brain and kind of look like one! This is because they contain both omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols which are critical brain foods. They can counteract oxidative stress and inflammation.

Cashews: Did you know that cashews are not fit for consumption until they are roasted. Even when you see “raw cashews” at the store, they have at least been roasted once. Labels reading, “roasted cashews” have actually been roasted a second time. Since these nuts require a more labor-intensive process, they are a pricier nut. They contain lots of copper which is great for your bones as well as other heart-healthy properties.

 

Recipe Ingredients-What You Need

Egg White

Using egg whites is a great way to help the seasonings stick to the nuts.

Salt

Just a little bit of salt combines great with the sweet and spiced flavors.

Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar is a plant-based, natural sweetener. Unlike traditional table sugar, coconut sugar doesn’t spike your blood glucose and insulin as quickly. This caramel-colored sugar tastes similar to brown sugar. If you don’t have any on hand, you could always substitute regular sugar. For a no-sugar-added option, consider using golden monkfruit sweetener.

Cinnamon

Not only does cinnamon add delicious flavor, it has lots of health benefits. It has many powerful medicinal properties and is loaded with antioxidants.

Ground Ginger

Just like cinnamon, ginger has lots of medicinal properties. It has an anti-inflammatory effect on your body, can treat many forms of nausea, lower blood sugars, and improve heart health.

Cardamom

Cardamom has an intense, slightly sweet flavor that combines so well with the other spices. It has many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has even been used as an ancient remedy to treat bad breath and prevent cavities.

Mixed Nuts

I like to use a blend of pecans, walnuts, cashews, and almonds. You can use whatever kinds of nuts you like! All nuts contain lots of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, but certain nuts are higher in certain nutritions than others. Just on Brazil nut contains more than your daily value of selenium! Make sure to get nuts that are labeled raw and unsalted. 

How to Make Christmas Spiced Nuts

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, whisk egg whites, water, and salt. Add the raw nuts, and stir or toss to coat.
3. Drain in a colander for 5 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, combine the remaining dry ingredients (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and sugar). Add the drained nuts and stir or toss to coat.
5. Line a roasting tray with parchment paper and spray it with cooking oil. Add the nuts and spread them out so they are in a single layer. An even layer will ensure even roasting.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, until the nuts are dry and golden brown. Half way through the baking time, rotate the pan 180 degrees.
7. Allow the nuts to cool and then break them apart. Store any uneaten nuts in an airtight container at room temperature. Enjoy!

FAQS

Are these Christmas Spiced Nuts healthy?

These spiced nuts contain lots of nutrition. They are loaded with healthy fats, protein, and many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be easy to eat a few too many of these because they’re so addicting, but they are definitely healthy in moderation!

How should I store these spiced nuts?

I like to store these nuts at room temperature in any airtight container like a mason jar. You could even keep them in a festive, nice jar and leave them out as a decoration if you’d like!

Would these make a good gift?

Absolutely! These Christmas Spiced Nuts are great for gift giving. They’re a great gift for teachers, neighbors, and anyone else who’s special in your life. You could gift these nuts in mason jars with festive ribbons, and you’ve got an easy, cute gift.

How many people will this recipe serve?

A good rule of thumb is to have about 1 pound of snack mix for every 15-20 people. With that being said, some people will have way more than one serving while others might not eat as much. You could always make a double batch to be safe and keep for another time.

Can I substitute the coconut sugar?

You could use any granulated sugar in place of the coconut sugar. I wouldn’t recommend using a liquid sweetener such as maple syrup for this recipe. For a healthier option with no added sugar, consider using golden monkfruit sweetener.

Do roasted nuts go bad?

These roasted nuts shouldn’t go bad for about a couple months. As long as you store them in an airtight container, they should stay tasting delicious!

What kinds of nuts should I use?

You should be able to buy a bag of mixed nuts at any grocery store. You can also buy them separately and combine your favorite varieties on your own. My favorite combination is pecans, walnuts, almonds, and cashews.

Looking for other Holiday snacks and treats? Try my Peppermint Bark, Peanut Butter Snow Balls, and Easy Gingerbread Cookies. For a savory appetizer, you HAVE to try this Puff Pastry Christmas Wreath Appetizer!

If you make these Christmas Spiced Nuts or any of my other healthy recipes, please share it on Instagram  and I’ll feature you! Also, if you try it, please leave a comment with a star rating below! Those star ratings are so helpful in helping my recipes get discovered. I appreciate you!

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This recipe was adapted from Cook’s Illustrated. 

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