12 Days of Healthy Holiday Gifts: Spiced Nuts

In the midst of all the holiday sweet treats, sometimes you just need something savory to munch on. Making your own spiced nuts is simple and a not-so-expensive holiday gift. Make a double batch and serve some up to guests this holiday season.
Toby's Spiced Nuts Recipe

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In the midst of all the holiday sweet treats, sometimes you just need something savory to munch on. Making your own spiced nuts is simple and a not-so-expensive holiday gift. Make a double batch and serve some up to guests this holiday season.

The Nuts

When making spiced nuts, it’s important to remember that each nut has about 7 calories and a fair amount of fat (even though it's the unsaturated kind). This makes watching portion sizes essential (stick to about 1/4 cup per person).

When cooking up the nuts, you can either blanch them (a brief dunk in hot water) or use a touch of oil to help the spices stick. The decision is yours, but the oil will add more unsaturated fat and 40 calories per teaspoon.

Toby’s Spiced Nuts

Yield: 10 Servings
Ingredients
3/4 cup raw (or dry roasted, unsalted) whole almonds
3/4 cup raw (or dry roasted, unsalted) macadamia nuts
1/2 cup raw (or dry roasted, unsalted) walnut halves
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl combine nuts and oil, if using; toss to coat. Add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper and salt. Toss to combine. Place nuts on a baking sheet and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until brown. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Info Per Serving
Calories: 193
Total Fat: 16.5 grams*
Saturated Fat: 2 gram
Total Carbohydrate:10 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Sodium: 61 milligrams
Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
Fiber: 2 gram

* Note: The total fat content exceeds the HealthyEats guidelines, so snack moderately!

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. See Toby's full bio »

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