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Just a few simple ingredients are all you need to make these delicious Cinnamon Walnuts. They’re crisp and buttery with a not-too-sweet maple cinnamon flavor that will keep you coming back for more. The simple small batch recipe makes a fantastic party snack or holiday gift!
If you’re looking for a fun snack, these cinnamon walnuts check all the boxes: they’re indulgent but not overly sweet.Are easy to make. And they taste delicious!
We like to add them to bowls of oatmeal and yogurt but these crunchy nuts also make a great addition to snack platters.
Similar to these flavorful spiced cashews, the small-batch recipe makes just one cup of seasoned nuts but it can easily be doubled if you want more.
Recipe Notes
Walnuts Halves: It’s okay if there are a few smaller pieces in the mix but the nuts will toast more evenly if they’re mostly the same size.
Oil: You can use any oil you want. A basic olive oil is my go-to but grapeseed, coconut oil, or canola oil will also work.
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Start by adjusting your toaster oven’s cooking rack to the bottom placement. Select the BAKE setting and preheat to 325°F.
2. Next, mix together the maple syrup, oil, cinnamon, and salt. You want a thick and well-combined mixture. That way each nut gets coated with a yummy maple-cinnamon-salty flavor.
3. Now add your nuts and stir well to coat them. Then stir them again. You want to get all that syrupy goodness into every little walnut nook that you can.
4. Pour the walnuts onto a greased pan and spread in an even layer. A little 1/8 Sheet Pan is my go-to for small jobs like this. It fits nicely in our toaster oven and the rimmed edges help to keep the nuts from escaping when you stir them.
5. Pop the pan in the oven and go wash up. After about 7 minutes, carefully pull out the pan and give the nuts a few good stirs.
You’ll notice a little bubbly syrup on the pan. Use your spatula to scoop up all that deliciousness and stir it onto the nuts.
6. Pop the pan back into the oven and repeat the stirring every 3 or 4 minutes until the nuts are golden and toasted.
7. You’ll know they’re ready when your house smells amazing and the walnut flesh is toasted with a deeper color.
8. As soon as the nuts come out of the oven, give them a dusting of cinnamon sugar and let them sit for 30 minutes. While they cool, the nuts will develop a light and crispy coating.
Once they’re completely cooled I usually store the nuts in a jar in the pantry. If you keep them anywhere in your eye line, I guarantee they won’t last long!
More Toaster Oven Snacks
- Toaster Oven Cinnamon Chips
- Toaster Oven Pizza Bagels
- Rosemary Cashews
- Toaster Oven Bagel Chips
- Polenta Bites (Bake or Air Fry)
- Toaster Oven Baked Pita Chips
- Small Batch Chex Mix
Cinnamon Walnuts
Yield: 1 Cup Nuts
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Maple syrup and a dusting of cinnamon sugar give these toasted buttery walnuts a lightly sweet and crispy texture. Perfect for gifting, they can be enjoyed on their own, atop baked sweet potatoes, or sprinkled on your morning oatmeal.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Maple Syrup
- 1½ teaspoons Olive Oil (see note)
- 1/4 teaspoon and 1/8 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon, divided
- 1/8 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
- 1 cup Shelled Raw Walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon Organic Granulated Sugar
Instructions
- Adjust the cooking rack to the bottom placement, select the BAKE setting, and preheat the toaster oven to 325°F. *In a traditional oven use the middle rack placement.
- Lightly coat a small rimmed sheet pan with cooking oil spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, and sea salt. Add the walnuts and stir well to coat.
- Pour the nuts onto the prepared pan and arrange them in a single layer.
Cook until the nuts are toasted, stirring occasionally, about 13 to 17 minutes total. - While the nuts are cooking, combine the granulated sugar and remaining 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon.
- When the walnuts are ready, remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Wait 30 seconds, then give the nuts a stir and spread into a single layer.
- Leave nuts on the pan to cool completely (about 30 minutes), they will crisp up further as they cool.
- If you manage to not devour them all in one sitting, store any leftovers in a well-sealed container.
Notes
Oil: We like to use a basic olive oil for this recipe. Extra-virgin olive oil works too it just has a more pronounced flavor that you may or may not like. Melted coconut oil is another good option but it may give the nuts a subtle coconut flavor.
Storage: Store leftover nuts in a sealed container at room temperature for 7 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 199Total Fat: 18.3gSaturated Fat: 1.2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 59mgCarbohydrates: 5.6gFiber: 2gSugar: 2.8gProtein: 6.8g
FAQs
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A: Walnuts don't always come in a perfectly standard size. We found on the California Walnuts website, walnuts.org, that ¼ cup of walnuts is approximately 1 ounce. That amounts to between 12 and 14 halves. If you buy walnut pieces, as we often do, the quarter-cup measure might be the easiest.
How many walnuts are in 1/4 cup? ›
Smart snacking can keep you energized throughout the day. A serving of walnuts (1 oz.; 12-14 halves; 1/4 cup) is a perfect portable snack to help those hunger pangs.
Should you freeze walnuts to keep them fresh? ›
For short-term storage, keep them in your refrigerator. If you'll be storing them for a month or longer, store them in your freezer. Prep as needed – shell, chop or grind walnuts right before using them. This will help maintain great flavor and optimal freshness.
What can I do with old tasting walnuts? ›
If a nut is only slightly stale, says Kanney, it can usually still be toasted to revive some of its previous glory and (crunch). However, Kanney says, “If a nut has spoiled or gone rancid, recognizable by a sour or bitter flavor, the nut is no longer good and should be thrown away.”
What do walnuts do for men? ›
Eating walnuts may help support sperm health and male fertility. In a 2012 study involving 117 healthy young men, participants who ate 2.5 oz (75 g) of walnuts per day for 3 months as part of a Western-style diet had improved sperm shape, vitality and motility compared to those who did not eat nuts.
What is the healthiest nut to eat? ›
Most nuts appear to be generally healthy. But some may have more heart-healthy nutrients than others. For example, walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans also appear to be quite heart healthy.
Is it okay to eat walnuts every day? ›
Gut health
Bacteria and microbes in your intestines and gut are also essential to your health. Research shows walnuts can improve gut health. In a clinical trial, adults who ate walnuts every day had healthier gut bacteria.
What are walnuts good for females? ›
Published health research reveals what makes walnuts a nutritious, heart-healthy1 food for most consumers, but certain areas of research stand out for women, including healthy aging, breast cancer, mental health and maternal health.
What does walnut do to the body? ›
Walnuts are rich in heart-healthy fats and high in antioxidants. What's more, regularly eating walnuts may improve brain health and reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. These nuts are easily incorporated into your diet, as they can be eaten on their own or added to many different foods.
For example, "1 cup walnuts, chopped" calls for measuring the walnuts before chopping, while "1 cup chopped walnuts" directs you to measure the nuts after chopping. Preparing an ingredient before or after measuring can make a big difference in the amount actually used.
What makes walnuts taste better? ›
The toasting process adds a better taste, golden brown color, nutty aroma, and a delicious crunch. Nuts toast quickly in the oven or on the stovetop, and they add a healthy, gluten free, protein-packed, omega-3 rich element to many recipes. Give banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, and pumpkin pancakes extra texture.
Why do you put rosemary extract in walnuts? ›
In response to demand for products that are as simple as possible, we previously removed a preservative, and added an extract of rosemary to our nuts. A very small amount of this plant-based extract is applied to the nuts to help protect their delicate, fresh taste without adding any flavor or scent.
What is the best combination with walnuts? ›
Top 5 Pairings
Although people enjoy a mix of sweet and savory flavors with walnuts, a sweet combination is most liked by all: (1) Dark Chocolate, (2) Sesame Cayenne, (3) Vanilla, (4) Sea Salt Caramel, (5) Coffee.
What can I do with collected walnuts? ›
Remove any blackened soft shell. If the hard walnut shell is damp, set it on a baking cooling rack in a dry place until it dries out. Once dry, they can be stored where you like. I generally keep a selection in a wicker basket on the table in the lounge along with a nut cracker ready for anyone to have the odd munch.
Are walnuts worth harvesting? ›
Rich in healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants, black walnuts are worth the effort required to harvest the coveted nutmeats.
How long are bulk walnuts good for? ›
Throw away rancid walnuts! Store shelled or unshelled walnuts safely in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place. The refrigerator is a great choice as walnuts will remain fresh for up to three months. You can also freeze walnuts for up to one year.
Can I eat a whole bag of walnuts? ›
Excessive consumption of walnuts may cause diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain or kidney stones. Due to the phytic acid they contain, too many walnuts may also inhibit the absorption of dietary iron, calcium and zinc. Recommendation: One ounce (10-14) English walnut halves per day.
