Are you always searching out snacks to get you between lunch and dinner? Look no further than these vanilla and cinnamon spiced candied nuts, made with lower sugar than other candied nuts so you aren’t ruining your healthy diet!
My friend’s mom sends me cinnamon candied walnuts every year around Christmas, and they’re one of the highlights of my winters, now! I ran out just a little while into January, so I decided I had to make my own. I’m really enjoying having these nuts as a little pick me up at work or when I get home but it’s not quite time for dinner. Healthy fats, protein, and just a tiny bit of sugar really help to keep me energized instead of hitting that mid-afternoon slump!
This recipe could not be easier to make. You just need a few ingredients: an egg white, some brown sugar, liquid stevia if you like to cut down on the sugar like me, cinnamon, either vanilla paste or extract, and nuts, of course! I like using walnuts, but pecans or almonds would also be amazing. I’m thinking of making a nice combination of all three next time!
These spiced nuts would make the perfect little gift for holidays, birthdays, or anytime, really! Cinnamon and vanilla are two of my favorite combinations – sweet and spicy. You could add cloves, ginger, or nutmeg, if you’d like to spice it up a bit more! The possibilities are endless, and it’s so, so easy! 🙂
What is your favorite afternoon snack to keep you satiated until dinner?
- 4 cups walnuts (or your favorite nut, like almonds or pecans)
- 1 egg white
- 1 Tbsp cold water
- 1/2 tsp vanilla paste (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 1/2 tsp liquid stevia (or 1/2 cup sugar)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
Preheat the oven to 300ºF, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the walnuts into a large bowl and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white and water together until the mixture becomes foamy. Add the liquid stevia (if using) and vanilla paste or extract, stirring until well combined.
In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
Pour the egg mixture over the walnuts, and stir the nuts until they are evenly coated. Add the cinnamon sugar mixture, tossing the walnuts until they are evenly coated in cinnamon sugar.
Transfer the nuts to the baking sheet, and spread evenly in a single layer.
Bake at 300ºF for 25-30 minutes, until fragrant and golden. Allow to cool completely on the pan, and then transfer to an airtight container for storage (like a mason jar).
https://cookingalamel.com/2016/02/cinnamon-and-vanilla-walnuts.html