Nuts are a staple in many keto and low-carb households, offering an easy and nutrient-rich snacking option. Grabbing a handful of nuts can be a convenient way to stave off hunger. However, plain roasted nuts can sometimes become monotonous. Adding interesting flavors is key to keeping things exciting. This article explores various keto spiced nuts recipes, offering a range of flavors from sweet and spicy to savory and smoky.
The Allure of Spiced Nuts on a Keto Diet
Spiced nuts offer a delightful combination of flavors and textures, making them an ideal snack for those following a ketogenic diet. They are easy to prepare, store well, and can be customized to suit individual preferences. Unlike many store-bought spiced nuts, homemade versions allow you to control the ingredients and avoid added sugars, maltodextrin, and other unwanted additives.
Buffalo Wing Nuts: A Spicy Keto Snack
For those who enjoy a spicy kick, Buffalo Wing Nuts are an excellent choice. This recipe captures the essence of classic Buffalo wings in a crunchy, keto-friendly snack.
Ingredients
- Nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)
- Frank’s Original RedHot Sauce (or other keto-friendly Buffalo sauce)
- Spices (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together, ensuring the nuts are well coated with the Buffalo sauce and spices. Make sure your Buffalo sauce isn’t cold out of the fridge, if you store it there.
- Spread the mixture in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the nuts are just beginning to brown. Watch the nuts carefully as they bake. It’s very easy to burn roasted nuts, so stay by your kitchen and check on them frequently.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely before serving. Trust me, it will keep you from burning your tongue.
- Add additional salt to taste.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to two weeks. I like to store mine in glass mason jars with the lids sealed tight. I simply keep them on my kitchen counter if I know we will be snacking on them a lot.
Important Considerations
- Be mindful of the Buffalo sauce you choose. Some bottled sauces may contain additives and even sugar. Frank’s Original RedHot Sauce is a classic choice with zero carbs per serving.
- Nuts can burn easily, so keep a close eye on them while they are baking.
- Allow the nuts to cool completely before eating to avoid burning your tongue.
Sweet and Spicy Candied Pecans: A Keto-Friendly Treat
If you crave something sweet with a touch of heat, these candied pecans are a perfect choice. This recipe uses a keto-friendly sweetener and spices to create a delightful treat that's both satisfying and guilt-free.
Ingredients
- Pecans
- Keto-friendly sweetener (such as monk fruit)
- Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cayenne pepper)
- Vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Pour the pecans on a large baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow them to completely cool before you handle them.
- Store in an airtight container on the countertop & enjoy!
Tips and Variations
- If you are sensitive to spice, feel free to leave out the pepper, and add a extra tablespoon of vanilla extract.
- The lowest-carb nuts are pecans, walnuts and macadamia nuts. Because they’re extremely low in carbs, pecans are one of the big-3 tree nuts you’ll want to stick to on a keto diet. Pecans only have about 1 net carb per ¼ cup, and are packed with nutrients and healthy fats!
- Pro Tip: when buying tree nuts, compare the ingredients of different brands. You’ll be surprised at the additives some food manufacturers put in foods (which add to the total net carb count).
Roasted Keto Spiced Nuts: A Versatile Recipe
These roasted spiced nuts offer a warm and comforting flavor profile, perfect for autumn and winter. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates a delicious aroma and taste that's reminiscent of holiday treats.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Ingredients
- A variety of nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.)
- Keto-friendly sweetener (such as Monk Fruit)
- Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)
- Egg white
- Unsalted, raw nuts (if possible)
Instructions
- It only takes 5 minutes to make them and then they go into the oven for about 3 hours.
- Spiced Nuts taste kinda sweet but kinda like spice, a warm spice not spicy.
- The egg whites are what coat your nuts and help hold the spices on them. The monk fruit and the cinnamon and other spices will not be able to coat the nuts.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
- The most attractive way to give someone a batch of your delicious Roasted Nuits is to put them in a mason jar or another pretty jar and of course, wrapping a ribbon around the neck of the jar finishes off your gift in a beautiful way.
- After you make these Low Carb Roasted Nuts you will undoubtedly have leftovers and will want to keep them fresh so that you can snack on them often.
- If you make a batch or two of roasted spiced nuts and know that you won’t be finishing them in a month or also if you are not giving them away to anyone, you may want to freeze them for safekeeping. That way they will stay fresh longer. If possible start with raw nuts and unsalted nuts that way they are not already roasted.
Savory Keto Nut Mix: A Healthy Snacking Option
For those who prefer savory flavors, a roasted keto nut mix with herbs and spices is an excellent choice. This recipe combines a variety of nuts with olive oil, rosemary, and other seasonings for a satisfying and healthy snack.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of almonds
- ½ cup of cashews
- ½ cup of walnuts
- Olive oil
- Rosemary
- Erythritol
- Spices (to taste)
Instructions
- First set your oven to 350°F. This temperature is just warm enough to roast the nuts without burning them.
- In a large bowl add the nuts, drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle on the spices.
- Scatter evenly in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, stir and roast another 5 minutes.
- I used an old baking sheet that I didn't mind getting charred a bit.
Important Considerations
- Tip: use raw unsalted nuts for this recipe, otherwise do not use salt if already salted.
- Serving: serve as a snack with your favourite beverage or cocktail.
- Storage: store in an airtight container or freezer bag in a cool dark place for up to 2 weeks.
- Portion: Use small sandwich bags to portion out the nuts so that you don't overeat them as they can be very tempting.
Tips for Making the Best Keto Spiced Nuts
- Choose the right nuts: Opt for raw, unsalted nuts whenever possible. This allows you to control the flavor and avoid unwanted additives. The lowest-carb nuts are pecans, walnuts and macadamia nuts.
- Use keto-friendly sweeteners: Avoid sugar and other high-carb sweeteners. Monk fruit, erythritol, and stevia are all excellent keto-friendly options.
- Experiment with spices: Don't be afraid to get creative with your spice combinations. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and rosemary are all great choices.
- Watch the baking time: Nuts can burn easily, so keep a close eye on them while they are in the oven. Stir them occasionally to ensure even toasting. You should start to smell them and they may start crackling. Depending on the nuts used it may take more or less time than the recipe shows. Just don't over roast them.
- Store properly: Store your spiced nuts in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain their freshness and crunch.
Other Spiced Nuts Recipe
These spiced nuts are crunchy, smoky, and coated with a zesty mixture of coconut sugar, lime juice and zest, salt, and spices.
Ingredients
- Mixed whole raw nuts
- Coconut sugar
- Lime juice
- Lime zest
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Egg white
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 300°F with the rack in the middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet (a half sheet size or bigger) with parchment paper and set aside.
- While the oven is heating up, make the spice blend coating. In a small bowl, stir together the coconut sugar, lime zest, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- In a large bowl, beat the egg white and lime juice together until frothy.
- Add the coconut sugar, spice, and salt blend to the frothy egg white mixture and whisk well to combine.
- Pour the mixed nuts into the bowl of the seasoned egg whites. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to toss the nuts and coat them well with the sauce.
- Pour the entire bowl onto the lined baking sheet and spread the spiced nuts in a single layer. (Extra sauce at the bottom of the bowl? Toss in more nuts! Don't pour in all the extra sauce into the pan because the sauce can pool at the bottom of the pan and stick.)
- Pop the tray in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly toasted and you can smell the fragrant seasonings. Be careful not to overcook the nuts-you don’t want them to burn.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Tips and Variations
- Don’t leave out the egg white!
- Zest the lime before you juice it! If you cut the lime and juice it first, it’s really hard to zest it.
- Don’t overbake the nuts! Use your nose as a guide and don’t let the nuts burn-300°F for 25 to 30 minutes is perfect for a light roast.
- No need to toss the nuts during baking; just rotate the tray! You may be tempted to toss the nuts halfway through the roasting process, but it’s unnecessary and a waste of your precious time. YOU WILL NEVER GET THOSE TWO MINUTES BACK, PEOPLE. Just rotate the pan 180°.
- Line the trays with parchment paper! It’ll make clean up a breeze.
- Coconut sugar: Maple sugar also works!
- Cayenne pepper: These nuts aren’t super spicy, but if you’re averse to any spiciness, you can decrease the amount of cayenne pepper or leave it out completely.
Health Benefits of Nuts
Nuts offer a variety of health benefits, making them a nutritious addition to any diet, especially a ketogenic one.
- Heart health: Nuts are rich in monounsaturated fats, which can help lower bad cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.
- Nutrient-rich: Nuts are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Satiety: The combination of healthy fats, protein, and fiber in nuts can help you feel full and satisfied, making them a great snack for weight management.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
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