Sweet & Savory Walnuts are the Perfect Snack

This snack is a protein powerhouse to fortify your willpower. Any time. Any where.

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Even if you aren't really a "snacker," some days you just need something crunchy, amirite? Before you reach for a bag of chips, hear us out. 

These nuts will change your life.
(if you just thought, "That's what he said." we are now best friends. 🤪 If not, never mind...keep reading. 👀)

The flavor of Sweet & Savory Walnuts brings back memories of the homemade snack mixes that people made for parties before such a thing was packaged in stores. Each version of the recipe was slightly unique, but featured mouth-watering flavor contrasts and a satisfying crunch. 

These oven-roasted walnuts are like that. They have something for everyone - a little savory, a little spice, and a little sweet. Of course, we've made it sugar free by using sugar free simple syrup from Miss Mary's Sinless Syrups.

THOSE NUTTY SUPERFOODS

Nuts, in general, are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, cashews, and peanuts are easy to find and *mostly* affordable snacks. Because they are chewy and crunchy, a little goes a long way toward satisfying cravings and keeping you from going off the snacking cliff.  

Walnuts boast impressive numbers when it comes to nutrients, including copper, magnesium, and manganese. They are an excellent choice for omega-3 fatty acids - essential building blocks for cardiovascular and cholesterol health. Of all the nuts, walnuts pack the most ALA omega-3 fatty acids. Some studies have associated walnuts with improved brain function and may even reduce the risk of dementia.

All by themselves, they're a pretty fine nut.

HOW TO PREPARE WALNUTS

Walnuts contain phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors (aka digestion blockers). That can make some nut difficult for some people to digest. Since we're in the business of keeping digestive tracts happy, we recommend soaking the walnuts for a few hours before roasting. By soaking the nuts, you'll get a creamier chew with no bitter tannins and will result in a crunchier finished product.

Start with raw walnuts. Cover with warm water and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Let soak 3-4 hours before roasting.

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON(ING)

As impressive as walnuts are on the nutrition scale, it is possible to overdo them. Portion your servings so you don't have a snack-cident. 

Then, buckle your seatbelts for the flavor ride ahead! This recipe calls for salt, onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, and the neutral sweetness of simple syrup.

Creative cooks might consider replacing simple syrup with Sugar Free Pumpkin Spice for nod to Autumn flavor. If you love Mexican mole sauce, try Sugar Free Salted Dark Chocolate in this recipe. 

If you are sensitive to heat, you can lower or eliminate the cayenne pepper. Try paprika instead for a gentler pop of flavor.

If you lurrrrrve heat, you could experiment with adding red pepper flakes, a pinch of ghost pepper or caroline reaper powder, or simple add more cayenne.

We'd love to hear how you customize this recipe to make it your own.

HOW TO SERVE AND STORE SWEET & SAVORY WALNUTS

This recipe makes for a great on-the-go snack for you or the kids. It's also perfectly at home on a charcuterie board, served alongside fruit & cheese.

Walnuts make an excellent addition to salads. The savory flavor of these will complement bright leafy greens and veg as well as both soft and hard cheeses.

Add Sweet & Savory Walnuts to a grain dish or casserole for a more substantial texture.

Last, these make a great food gift - either on their own or as a hand-made addition to a charcuterie/ snack gift basket. We love re-using glass jars for this. Decoupage the lid, add a ribbon and a handwritten tag and it's cuteness overload.

Sweet & Savory Walnuts will last about 2 weeks in the pantry, or double that time if you store them in the refrigerator. Either way, it's a good idea to store them in an airtight container so the walnuts stay fresh and hold their crunch!

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