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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.
Do candied walnuts go bad? ›
Yes, candied nuts can go bad. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month for best results.
How many walnuts is a handful? ›
1 oz shelled walnuts = 28 g = 1/4 cup = 12–14 halves = 1 small handful.
Should you freeze walnuts to keep them fresh? ›
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. Walnuts will absorb odors so it is best to place them at distance from foods with strong odors, such as onions. Airtight containers provide the best protection to maintain freshness.
How many walnuts a day is ok? ›
An ounce (30 grams) of walnuts a day has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. The recommended serving size is a small handful or 1½ ounces (45 grams) a day. Walnuts make an excellent nutrient-dense snack, and you can easily carry them wherever you go.
Is it OK to eat walnuts everyday? ›
Eating walnuts on a daily basis poses little to no harm unless you have a food sensitivity, intolerance or allergy. With that said, replacing less nutrient-dense foods with nutrient-dense options, like walnuts, may help you achieve your health goals. Who knows, you may experience a boost in your mood, too.
What does walnuts do for men? ›
In a study of over 100 otherwise healthy men, adding walnuts to an otherwise unchanged diet produced better sperm production than men with a similar diet without nuts. Other research indicates that walnuts lessen oxidative damage to sperm membranes, protecting them from harm.
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.
Can dogs eat walnuts? ›
Although it may be technically safe for dogs to eat a few walnuts (especially if they are store-bought and unsalted), walnuts are not the best choice for your dog. Walnuts can be a choking hazard for dogs and, when eaten in large quantities, can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called pancreatitis.
The taste of rancid nuts is a nasty sour or bitter taste. If that's how your nuts taste, then immediately spit them out and discard the rest of the stock.
How can you tell if walnuts are rancid? ›
Walnuts go rancid when exposed to warm temperatures for long periods of time. Heat causes the fat in walnuts to change structure, which creates off odors and flavors. Fresh walnuts smell mildly nutty and taste sweet. If your walnuts smell like paint thinner, you know they're rancid.
What nut should you eat everyday? ›
Some of the healthiest nuts include Brazil nuts, pistachios, cashews, and almonds. There are many options to enjoy this nutritional treat, but be sure to enjoy them in moderation. Nuts have health benefits, like reducing your heart disease risk.
Do walnuts lower blood pressure? ›
At the end of the trial, people who were eating walnuts daily showed the greatest benefit on lowering central blood pressure. Central blood pressure is a measure of the pressure exerted on internal organs like the heart and is considered an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Can I eat 7 walnuts a day? ›
They contain plenty of high-quality protein that can substitute for meat; vitamins and minerals; dietary fiber; and they are dairy- and gluten-free. Vinson said it takes only about seven walnuts a day to get the potential health benefits.
What can I do with fresh walnuts? ›
Thanks to their subtle yet complex flavor, earthy, fruity walnuts shine in a variety of dishes both sweet and savory, either raw or toasted. They're a great substitute for pine nuts in pesto, can be turned into a sensational vinaigrette, and add wonderful texture to cookies and brownies.
Are walnuts worth harvesting? ›
Closely related to the more common English walnut tree, the eastern American black walnut tree (Juglans nigra) grows in Hardiness Zones 4-9, where it produces nuts with a rich, distinct flavor. Rich in healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants, black walnuts are worth the effort required to harvest the coveted nutmeats.
What is the best way to store walnuts long term? ›
If you're going to use the walnuts pretty quickly, the fridge should work, but for long-term storage, the best bet is to freeze them. Make sure they're in an airtight container and away from odorous foods, like onions or cabbage — they pick up strong scents pretty quickly.
