Sweet and Savory Roasted Nuts

What is high in fat, always better when roasted, and have insurmountable brain health benefits? Nuts! That’s what!

My young palate did not truly appreciate all of the wondrous flavors, versatility, and health benefits packed within these crunchy little morsels of flavor, but as I have grown and evolved, so have my taste buds and desire for good food.

Have you ever snacked on a Marcona almond? You haven’t truly lived until you have. They are my absolute favorite, but I digress.

Nuts are literally powerhouses for the brain.

They are packed with Vitamin E, antioxidants, and polyphenols.

Those are only some of the nutrients nuts are comprised of and brains need those nutrients to thrive.

Beyond that, nuts make a great snack for those busy days when you are on the go.

What more can you ask for in a food? Nuts rule!

With that, I give you roasted nuts, two ways.

The savory spiced nut recipe is simple and so, so good. If you want to omit the butter and replace it entirely with olive oil, that is totally okay, but don’t forget that the MIND diet allows for a little butter. Only a little.

Either way, they are subtly savory and delicious.

The sweet, turmeric, and sugar pecans are the perfect treat for when you need a little sweet. Eat them plain or toss them in your yogurt parfait or smoothie bowl for an extra bonus.

There is no limit to how you can enjoy the flavors and brain health benefits of nuts.

For more brain-healthy recipes, click here.

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For more information on all of the ingredients and the details on the importance of those nutrients as they pertain to our brain, check out NeuroReserve.

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Print Recipe

Spiced Nuts

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Course: Snack

Keyword: Herbed Nuts, Spiced Nuts

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 lb nuts I used a mixture of almond, walnut, and cashews
• 1 tsp crushed dried rosemary OR
• 5 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1½ tsp salt

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°.
• Melt butter and olive oil in a large pan in the oven. It should only take a minute or two. Then scatter the nuts in the pan.
• Coat the nuts with the butter and oil mixture and spread in a single layer.
• Scatter the rosemary, paprika, and salt evenly over the nuts.
• Bake for 20 minutes, shaking and stirring often.

Notes

***If you want to substitute the butter with olive oil that is okay, however, a little bit of butter is considered acceptable according to the MIND diet. 

Print Recipe

Coconut Sugar, Cinnamon, and Turmeric Pecans

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time6 minutes mins

Course: Snack

Keyword: Coconut Sugar and Turmeric Pecans, Coconut Sugar Pecans

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw pecans
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1 ½ tbsp coconut sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 tsp pinch of cayenne; optional

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl, stir together the pecans, melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, turmeric, cinnamon, and salt. This is where you add the cayenne if you are looking for some heat.
• Spread the pecans out on your baking sheet in an even layer.
• Bake on the middle rack for 6 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes. You can enjoy them immediately.