Cinnamon Spice Almonds

They are easy to make and will only take you 3 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to roast in the oven. You can easily make a big batch and store the rest for future cravings, or you can also place them in cute little jars or boxes to give away to friends and family. They are quick, budget-friendly snacks that are gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, vegan, and overall good for you!

Cinnamon Almonds - A Healthy and Yummy Snack

If you are a serial snacker and are looking for something more nutritious than your usual chips and candy bars, then you are in for a treat with this recipe—literally! You will get the same satisfaction in terms of flavor and texture but without all the guilt. All you need to do is to mix the spices, syrup, and nuts in a bowl and roast them until they are golden and crisp. The combination of spices gives the nuts warm, earthy, and slightly citrusy tones while the maple syrup coats them into caramelized sweetness. 

Cinnamon Almonds Ingredients

• Almonds - Use whole, raw, and unsalted ones. If you have halved almonds, you can still use them but remember to reduce the roasting time. 
• Cinnamon - Gives the nuts a warm and festive taste.
• Allspice - Provides an earthy taste with a bit of heat.
• Maple syrup - Aside from adding sweetness, this will also help the spices cling to the nuts. You can also use agave syrup.

How to Make It

Preparations:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

Steps:

• Whisk cinnamon, allspice, and maple syrup in a medium bowl until the spices are well blended. Add the almond nuts and toss until the nuts are evenly coated. 

• Place the nuts into the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Let them cool completely before serving or storing. 

Tips when Making Roasted Cinnamon Almonds

• Make sure to place the nuts in a single layer evenly spread on the baking pan. If you are making a double batch, use a second pan or bake in batches. 
• Take note that baking time will depend on what type of oven you are using, so start checking on them at the 12-minute mark to see if they are good to go. 
• You can add vanilla extract to the mixture for more flavor and fragrance. 
• If you want to add pops of saltiness to your Cinnamon Almonds, sprinkle some sea salt after baking while the candy coating is still moist. 
• The nuts will still be sticky after roasting them in the oven, so make sure to let them cool down and harden on the baking pan before moving them to a container or jar.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are almonds healthy? Yes, they absolutely are. These popular tree nuts are brimming with vitamins, healthy fats, antioxidants, and minerals. They are considered to be one of the healthiest nuts and help control blood sugar, blood pressure levels, and aids in lowering cholesterol levels. It also promotes weight loss and is great for the brain and heart too! What a superfood! 

• Can I use this recipe for other types of nuts? Sure you can, try it with cashews, macadamia, hazelnuts, and pecans. You can use two or three at the same time too!

• What other spices can I use? You can also use nutmeg, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, chai spice and ground cloves. 

• Do I have to soak the almonds before roasting them? Not necessarily. If you do have time, you can do this to soften them and give them a more 'buttery' taste. Take note though that it will take time to get them to roast properly. 

What Can I use Cinnamon Spice Almonds with?

• You can add these deliciously spiced and sweetened nuts to your cereals, oatmeal, granola bars, and smoothie bowls. 

• These would be a great addition to any Vegan Charcuterie Board and Vegan Cheese Boards too!  

• Crush or chop them and sprinkle on your fave fresh salads! 

• Use them when making delectable desserts like cookies, cupcakes, cakes, bread, pie, and tarts! You can instantly elevate your plain vegan ice cream or yogurt by sprinkling them on top! 

• These healthy nuts can also be used in your savory dishes too.

Storing Notes

First of all, make sure that the nuts have completely cooled down and dried out before storing them. Placing them on containers while they are still warm will cause steam to be trapped and will affect the crunchiness of the nuts. Store them in lidded containers at room temperature for 2 weeks. Keep the container in a dry, cool place to prevent them from getting too sticky. 

You can also freeze these yummy treats up! Place them in freezer-friendly bags and freeze for up to 3 months. 

You can also try these other healthy snacks!

• Candied Rosemary Walnuts - Sweet and savory vegan Candied Rosemary Walnuts make for the perfect addition to holiday party spreads, vegan cheeseboards, desserts, and salads! All you need is a handful of ingredients with two optional cooking methods (stovetop or roasted) for these moreish savory-sweet rosemary spiced nuts!

• Air Fryer Chickpeas - For those on the lookout for healthier snack alternatives, then this vegan and gluten-free Air Fryer Chickpea recipe will be your best bet! You will have these crispy and ‘cheesy’ treats ready in just 13 minutes using 4 simple ingredients.

• Roasted Salt & Pepper Pumpkin Seeds - These little and nutritious seeds are great as a snack on their own but they can be an amazing compliment to many delicious meals. Their crunch and saltiness make them the perfect topping for salads and soups.