Easy Maple Spiced Nuts: Your Ultimate Healthy Holiday Snack and Gift

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Safeway. All opinions are 100% my own.

Discover the easiest recipe for irresistible spiced nuts, perfectly baked with aromatic cinnamon and nutmeg, and naturally sweetened with coconut sugar and pure maple syrup. Ideal for a festive holiday appetizer, a cozy snack, or a thoughtful homemade gift!

Can you believe it’s already October? The crisp air, the vibrant changing leaves, and the unmistakable scent of pumpkin spice are everywhere, signaling the arrival of the coziest season of all. Just yesterday, my dog M and I took a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood, marveling at the Halloween decorations popping up on every corner.

There were countless pumpkins proudly displayed on doorsteps, and elaborate cobwebs draped across windows, creating a wonderfully spooky atmosphere. One particular house near the edge of my complex goes all out with their holiday spirit, and it’s truly a sight to behold. Their lawn and sidewalk were overflowing with multiple scarecrows, grinning pumpkins, eerie ghosts, and ghoulish figures, practically demanding attention from every passerby. It’s impossible not to stop and admire their dedication!

However, despite their enthusiasm for decorating, they seem to be equally… shall we say, unenthusiastic when it comes to the clean-up. To the right of their vibrant Halloween spectacle, a forgotten heap of Christmas nutcrackers, tangled strings of lights, and artificial fir trees still lay dormant. They’ve been there since last December, a hilarious testament to their festive spirit carrying over a little too long!

Whether your holiday decorations are already making an appearance, or you’re still waiting for the perfect moment to unleash your festive cheer, one thing is certain: the holidays are fast approaching! And with them comes the desire for comforting, delicious treats that make your home smell incredible and your heart feel warm.

That’s why I’m so excited to share this quick and simple recipe that will undoubtedly infuse your autumn and winter days with a wonderful sense of coziness. These Easy Maple Spiced Nuts are incredibly straightforward to prepare, taking just about 30 minutes from start to finish. They’re perfect as a sweet and crunchy snack, a delightful dessert, or an elegant appetizer to share with friends and family. The aroma alone is enough to transport you straight into the heart of the holiday season!

Candied Nuts, Reimagined for Health and Flavor

Let’s be honest: candied nuts are undeniably delicious. There’s something inherently addicting about the rich, buttery crunch of nuts, and when you coat them in a sweet, spicy glaze? It’s pure culinary magic. They’re a staple for a reason, gracing holiday tables and snack bowls for generations.

However, a quick glance at the ingredient list of most store-bought candied nuts often reveals a less-than-desirable truth: they’re typically loaded with refined sugars, unhealthy oils, and artificial additives. While a treat now and then is perfectly fine, we all deserve options that nourish our bodies while still satisfying those sweet cravings.

So, why not create a version that’s equally as delicious but significantly healthier? That’s precisely what we’re doing with these Easy Maple Spiced Nuts. This recipe is thoughtfully crafted to be lighter, naturally sweetened, and absolutely bursting with flavor. We’re ditching the refined sugars and embracing the wholesome goodness of unrefined coconut sugar and pure maple syrup. These natural sweeteners offer a depth of flavor that complements the nuts and spices beautifully, without the sugar crash.

Furthermore, nuts themselves are nutritional powerhouses, packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. By opting for a healthier preparation method, you get to enjoy all these benefits while indulging in a truly satisfying snack. It’s the best of both worlds: gourmet taste with a wholesome twist!

Essential Ingredients for Your Easy Maple Spiced Nuts

Crafting these delectable maple spiced nuts requires a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, or can easily find at your local grocery store. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of its components. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this addictive treat:

Raw Pecans: These provide a rich, buttery base and a satisfying crunch. Their natural sweetness pairs wonderfully with maple and cinnamon.
Open Nature®Shelled Walnuts: Adding walnuts introduces a slightly more robust, earthy flavor and a different texture, creating a diverse and enjoyable nut mix.
OOrganics® Organic Coconut Oil: Melted coconut oil acts as the perfect binder for our spices and sweeteners, ensuring an even coating and contributing a subtle tropical note and healthy fats.
Ground Cinnamon: The quintessential warm spice for fall and winter. Cinnamon brings a comforting aroma and a sweet, woody flavor that is integral to spiced nuts.
Ground Nutmeg: A pinch of nutmeg adds a hint of sweet, pungent, and woody notes, complementing the cinnamon beautifully and adding depth to the spice blend.
Himalayan Sea Salt: A touch of sea salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors, making the nuts truly pop.
Unrefined Coconut Sugar: This natural sweetener provides a caramel-like richness without the harshness of refined white sugar. It helps create that desirable crunchy, caramelized coating.
OOrganics® Organic Pure Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is the star sweetener here, offering a distinct, rich, and earthy sweetness that’s synonymous with cozy fall flavors. It also contributes to the nuts’ sticky, glossy finish.

That’s all there is to it! With these foundational ingredients, you’re ready to create a truly memorable snack.

Crafting Your Easy Maple Spiced Nuts: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making these delicious maple spiced nuts is incredibly simple, ensuring you can whip up a batch whenever a craving strikes or guests are on their way. Follow these easy steps for perfectly golden, fragrant, and sticky-sweet nuts every time:

**Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet:** First, preheat your oven to a moderate 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This crucial step prevents the nuts from sticking and makes for incredibly easy cleanup. A non-stick baking mat would also work wonderfully here.
**Choose Your Nut Blend:** For this recipe, I’ve used a delightful combination of pecans and walnuts, which offer a balanced flavor and texture. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite nuts! Almonds, cashews, or even a mixed bag of unsalted raw nuts would be fantastic. The key is to use raw, unsalted nuts to control the flavor profile and avoid over-salting.
**Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients (with the nuts!):** In a large mixing bowl, combine your chosen nuts. Now, add the star flavoring agents: the melted O Organics Organic Coconut Oil, unrefined coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, Himalayan sea salt, and O Organics Organic Pure Maple Syrup.
**Thoroughly Coat the Nuts:** This is where the magic happens! Using a spatula or your clean hands, toss the nuts thoroughly until every single piece is beautifully coated. You want them to be evenly covered, fragrant, and delightfully sticky. Take your time with this step to ensure an even distribution of flavor.
**Spread onto the Baking Sheet:** Once the nuts are perfectly coated, transfer them from the mixing bowl to your prepared baking sheet. Spread them out into a single, even layer, making sure they don’t touch or overlap too much. Giving them space allows them to toast evenly and achieve that desirable crispiness rather than steaming.
**Bake to Perfection:** Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for a total of 12-15 minutes. During this time, the nuts will toast, and the sugary coating will caramelize, intensifying the flavors.
**Toss Halfway Through:** To ensure an even bake and a consistent golden-brown color on all sides, I highly recommend tossing the nuts gently with a spatula at the halfway point (around 6-7 minutes). This simple step prevents one side from burning while the other remains undercooked.
**Check for Doneness:** The nuts are ready when they are golden brown, smell incredibly fragrant, and the coating looks slightly caramelized and set. Be mindful not to overbake, as they can burn quickly once they reach this stage.

And just like that, you’ll have a batch of aromatic, perfectly spiced, and naturally sweetened nuts ready to impress!

Highlighting My Favorite Safeway Products

I absolutely love using products from my local Safeway store, especially their exclusive brands, to create recipes like these Maple Spiced Nuts. They offer incredible quality and value, making healthy eating both accessible and affordable.

For this recipe, I specifically utilized the OOrganics Organic Coconut Oil and OOrganics Organic Pure Maple Syrup, both staples from their fantastic OOrganics® product line. The Open Nature Shelled Walnuts were sourced from their equally impressive Open Nature® line.

The O Organics® brand holds a special place in my kitchen because every single product is USDA Certified Organic. This means you’re getting ingredients grown and processed without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs, ensuring the purest possible flavors and nutrients. The Organic Coconut Oil is perfect for a clean, healthy fat, and the Pure Maple Syrup offers that authentic, rich sweetness that no imitation can match.

Similarly, Open Nature^® products are a fantastic choice for those seeking minimally processed options. They are rigorously checked to be free from 110 common food additives, including artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. This commitment to clean ingredients aligns perfectly with my goal of making healthier, delicious food.

What truly sets Safeway apart is its dedication to offering new, on-trend products at incredible value prices. Compared to leading organic and natural brands, their exclusive lines make eating healthily more accessible and affordable than ever before. This commitment allows me to stock my pantry with high-quality, wholesome ingredients without breaking the bank.

Both O Organics and Open Nature boast a wide assortment of organic, minimally processed, and protein-rich products that cater to nearly every occasion throughout the store. From pantry staples to fresh produce and dairy, you can find quality options for all your cooking and snacking needs.

You can find my favorite O Organics and Open Nature products at my local Safeway store. These exclusive brands are also available across the Albertsons Companies family of stores, including Albertsons, ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Supermarkets, and Carrs/Safeway. Be sure to visit Safeway.com to find a store near you and explore their extensive range of pantry essentials!

For ultimate convenience, Safeway also offers Grocery Delivery and DriveUp & Go™ services, making it incredibly easy to get your hands on these fantastic products without even stepping foot inside the store. Healthy eating truly has never been easier or more enjoyable!

Okay, so your kitchen is filled with the most incredible aroma – a tantalizing blend of toasted nuts, warm cinnamon, and sweet maple. Your nuts are beautifully browned, perfectly sticky-sweet, and fresh out of the oven.

Now, here comes what might be the hardest part of this entire recipe.

Are you ready for the ultimate test of patience?

You *must* resist the urge to devour them immediately. They need to cool completely before serving. This cooling process is crucial, as it allows the sugary coating to harden and become delightfully crisp, giving you that perfect candied texture. If you try to eat them hot, the coating will be soft and sticky.

I believe in your willpower!

Ensure the nuts are entirely cool and firm before attempting to break them apart and store them. Once cool, transfer them to an airtight container to maintain their freshness and crispness. They’ll keep beautifully at room temperature for several weeks, ready to be enjoyed whenever you desire.

Creative Ways to Serve Your Easy Maple Spiced Nuts

These Easy Maple Spiced Nuts are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. Whether you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up, an elegant offering for guests, or a charming gift, they fit every occasion perfectly.

**A Simple Snack:** Enjoy them straight from the jar as a satisfying, energy-boosting snack. The healthy fats and natural sweetness make them a guilt-free indulgence.
**Elegant Appetizer:** Serve them in a small bowl as an inviting appetizer for your next gathering. Their appealing aroma and irresistible crunch will have guests reaching for more. They pair wonderfully with a cheese board, complementing both sweet and savory elements.
**Delightful Dessert Topping:** Sprinkle them over ice cream, yogurt parfaits, oatmeal, or even a fruit salad for an added layer of texture and flavor.
**Salad Enhancer:** Chop them roughly and toss them into a green salad for a surprising sweet and savory crunch. They work particularly well with salads featuring fruits like apples or pears.
**The Perfect Homemade Gift:** This recipe is fantastic for gifting! Consider doubling or even tripling the recipe to make a large batch. Once cooled, package them beautifully in mason jars, tie them with a festive red ribbon, and add a small handwritten tag. It’s a thoughtful, delicious, and homemade present that shows you care, ideal for hosts, teachers, neighbors, or colleagues.

The best part? These spiced nuts are wonderfully shelf-stable. Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they will keep their delicious flavor and crunch for 3-4 weeks. This makes them an ideal make-ahead item for the busy holiday season, allowing you to prepare gifts or party snacks well in advance without worrying about spoilage.

Customization Ideas to Spark Your Creativity:

Don’t be afraid to get creative with the nut and spice combinations to tailor them to your preference:

**Nut Varieties:** While pecans and walnuts are classic, feel free to swap them out or add other nuts. Almonds, cashews, or even a mix of hazelnuts and Brazil nuts would be fantastic, each bringing its own unique flavor and texture.
**Spice Blends:** Experiment beyond cinnamon and nutmeg. For a more exotic flavor, try adding a pinch of ground cardamom, allspice, or ginger. For a subtle citrusy note, a touch of ground coriander would be excellent. If you like a little kick, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder will add a delightful warmth without being overwhelmingly spicy.
**Add-ins (after baking):** Once the nuts are completely cool, you can mix in other elements like dried cranberries, golden raisins, or even a few dark chocolate chips for extra indulgence.

However you choose to enjoy them, these Easy Maple Spiced Nuts are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and a comforting warmth to your home. Enjoy every flavorful bite!

More Delicious Nutty Recipes to Explore

If you love the wholesome goodness and versatility of nuts, you’re in for a treat! Here are a couple more nutty recipes from Flora & Vino that you might enjoy, perfect for snacks or breakfast:

My Go-To Trail Mix: A customizable and energy-packed blend of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits – perfect for hiking, road trips, or an everyday healthy snack.
Trail Mix Overnight Oats: Transform your morning routine with these easy-to-prepare overnight oats, featuring the delightful flavors and textures of your favorite trail mix. A hearty and convenient breakfast option!

I Want to Hear From You!

If you give this Easy Maple Spiced Nuts recipe a try, I’d absolutely love to know what you think!

Please be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and a review below so I can use your valuable feedback to create even more delicious and exciting recipes for you. Your insights truly help me improve and develop new “yums”!

Don’t forget to give me a shout-out on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino to show me your beautiful creations. I love seeing your culinary adventures!

For more recipe inspiration, be sure to check out my Pinterest page. You can easily pin this recipe and many others to save for later.

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XO Lauren