Whip up a flavorful and nutritious snack for your party guests this holiday season

(Oprima aquí para la receta en Español)

A couple of weeks ago I was craving a crunchy snack to munch on. Usually, I go to chips & salsa, celery and hummus, or some trail mix. But this particular day I wanted something different and something that reminded me of the holiday spirit. So, I decided to bring out my Costco cashew container and make something fun, festive, and amazing.

Cashews provide good fats and several vitamins and minerals. They are also a good source of plant-protein, providing roughly 5 grams in one ounce (or about 2 tablespoons). They are high in monounsaturated fat (a ‘good’ fat) but overall have a lower fat content than other nuts (1). They also provide magnesium, zinc and iron (1). 

I hope you all enjoy this snack with family and friends this holiday season. They’re:

Crunchy

Sweet

Spicy

Festive

and incredibly satisfying.

Be sure to share with friends and family and come back and share your thoughts with me! And if you're like me, you may end up having them not just for snacking but as a dessert as well. 

Inspired by a cashew snack? Check out these No-Bake Cashew Snack Bites which you can take on-the-go with you. 

Cinnamon Candied Cashews

Serves: Makes 1 1/4 cups
Total Time: 13 - 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil 
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed 
• 1 heaping teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8  teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Dash of salt 
• 1 ¼ cup raw cashews, unsalted

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, toss coconut oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, dash of salt and whisk together until well combined.
2. Toss cashews and mix well until well coated.
3. Bring a medium non-stick pan to medium heat and add cashew mixture. Once the mixture begins to bubble, lower the heat to low and cook cashews for about 7 – 9 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Transfer the cashews to a parchment paper to cool and evenly separate them so that they don’t stick together.
5. Once cooled, keep them in an air-tight container and enjoy!

Reference

1. Dennett, C. (2016, March). The Wonders of Nuts and Seeds. Retrieved from Today's Dietitian: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0316p22.shtml