I really can’t say that I intended to get this recipe up before Valentine’s Day because I didn’t think of it until the 15th. Heck, it would’ve made a great Superbowl appetizer too! Oh well, better late than never. Olympics appetizer, anyone?
You may not know this, but Eric was a squirrel in his former life. Or at least I think there’s a good chance. Any time he’s hungry for a snack you can be sure his hand will be in the jar of almonds or cashews. After demolishing the stash he says, “You might want to write almonds/cashews on the grocery list…” It’s a constant struggle to keep nuts stocked in this house, I tell you. I guess I should be happy that he enjoys a healthy snack even if he does dip into my coveted baking stash.
We usually don’t do anything too fancy for the 14th; good food tends to always make an appearance though. There’s a recipe for coconut bacon in my bonus recipe bundle and Eric thinks it’s just about the best thing going. So this weekend, I decided to make an edible gift inspired by that recipe, sneaking in his favourite nuts. I knew this spicy & smoky mix would make his head spin!
From start to finish this recipe takes less than 30 minutes, but you’d never know from the gourmet end result. The addition of large flake coconut is just divine – the coconut flakes get all crispy in the oven, adding an unexpected element to traditional roasted nuts. I don’t think I’ll make roasted nuts without flaked coconut from now on! Throw this mix into a cute jar for an easy gift that will be enjoyed by many sneaky hands.
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Smoky & Spicy Nut, Sesame, and Coconut 'Bacon' Bar Nuts
Yield
3 cups
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Intensely smoky, spicy, and toasty - this roasted nut mix is a great party appetizer. Sweet almonds and cashews are a lovely contrast to the smoky, savoury flavour of the liquid smoke, coconut aminos, smoked paprika, sea salt, and cayenne pepper. Just a warning: the smoked flavour is very strong while cooking (and after) - I suggest opening a window before beginning and putting on the range fan, if desired.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashew halves
- 1 cup raw whole almonds
- 3/4 cup large-flake unsweetened coconut (not shredded coconut)
- 2 tablespoons hulled sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos or low-sodium tamari
- 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (depending on how smoky you like it)
- 1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 325F.
- In a large bowl, combine the cashews, almonds, coconut, and sesame seeds.
- In a small bowl, stir together the coconut aminos (or tamari), maple syrup, liquid smoke, salt, paprika, and cayenne until combined.
- Pour wet ingredients on top of the nuts and stir well with a spatula until thoroughly coated.
- With the spatula, scoop the mixture onto the prepared sheet. Use the spatula to get all the liquid and seeds off the side of the bowl and spoon it onto the nut mixture.
- Spread nuts out into a thin layer.
- Bake at 325F for 10 minutes, stir, and bake another 10 minutes, or until the coconut flakes are golden. Turn on the range fan and open a window while it bakes as the smoked aroma is powerful.
- Cool for 10 minutes on the pan. Store in a glass jar.
Tip:
Note: To make this recipe soy-free, use coconut aminos.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Who has cashews? I have cashews!! *runs into the kitchen*
This sounds sooo awesome! Can’t wait to give it a try :D
Thanks for sharing!
This makes me think of the Chex mix that my dad’s side of the family makes so often. It might be fun to do a version with just the nuts and some coconut flakes, and skip the Chex all together… :)
I think you can even get liquid smoke at No Frills.
this looks amazing – we have been buying smoked almonds but I get concerned at all the salt in them – this looks like smoked almonds and tofu bacon combined – and a way to deal with the nuts before they go off – this will be a snack the goes quickly
These look and sound so good. I need to find myself some liquid smoke.
Angela, I don’t know how you always manage to come up with such amazing things, but this looks like pure heaven!!
— Alex at cashmerekangaroo.com
I feel like every guy I have ever known has loved snack on nuts, I wonder what that’s about?? I could totally get on board with a mix like this!
These nuts look so yummy! And they would be perfect for game day!
Hey Angela, I haven’t seen this large flake coconut around….did you get it at Whole Foods also? I have to make this! I’m drooling already! Thanks so much!
Sounds delightful Angela! I try to eat a lot of nuts as snacks between meals. Especially during this time when the intense workouts are around twice a week, and I am running 18 miles every Sunday around 6:40 per mile, I need to try to work on my nutrition as much as possible to maintain performance, while still enjoying eating.
Sometimes I get a little bored of just eating nuts as they are. This would be perfect to enjoy them. I love smoky flavors and what a great combination with bacon and coconut! I think you could sell it! Yum!
Just made this and can’t stop eating! Amazing! Thanks!
Ha! Maybe I was a squirrel in my former life too. Nuts are always my go-to snack. Love this. I’ve been loving on smoky coconut flakes like crazy lately. Bet this would be good with a little popcorn thrown in, too.
These are amazingly delicious and so simple! What I love about majority of your recipes is that I can see it on your blog and run downstairs and whip it up immediately – all simple ingredients that are already in my cupboard, yet you bring them together in such new and marvelous ways!
I’ll enjoy the pictures…I don’t think I’ll make this because I would just DEMOLISH them! yum!
Drool! Nuts are always my go-to snack!
Can I substitute tamari with low-sodium soy sauce?
I know these nuts would make my head spin. They look so yummy.
Hi, Angela,
Goodness, my work colleague and I are very smitten with your blog! I told him to check out your peppermint patty recipe that you recently posted for V Day (His patties are runny in the middle.) – among some very tempting other recipes.
I was wondering: do you have any recipes for pickled veggies? I looked them up on your index, but either missed them or they’re not there. I love pickled ginger, and regularly hound my the sushi place near my office for it. It is supposed to be excellent for the digestion – and it sure can heat up one’s core during this ridiculously cold, snowy, gray winter!
Tried these today and they are amazing!
From one blogger to another, wanted to give you heads up–I saw some of your content illegally copied on http://munspage.com/. I have had several of my posts stolen, along with other bloggers, and dealt with this site to remove them. I would highly recommend the same to stop illegal content pirating. You can reach out for their email address.
Happy blogging.
Thanks for letting me know!
These look yummy and fairly easy to make. Always good to keep a jar of nibbles around…just in case.