Adding nuts to your diet - as a quick snack or as a topping for salads and main dishes - will go a long way to helping you reach your health goals. This recipe for savory healthy spiced nuts gives you another flavor option, producing delicious nuts in just minutes.
Make sure to check out my other Quick Healthy Recipes!

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If you have read about my real food weight loss, then you won't be surprised to know I have a thing for nuts.
I love how just a few (really - only just a bit more than an 1/8 cup - you can read more about my portion control tips here), along with a cup of tea, satisfies my afternoon hunger.
I also love how nuts are packed with nutrition and good-for-you fats.
I like prefer mixed nuts, since then I can get the benefits from all different kinds of nuts and the nutrients they offer.
Are Nuts Really Good For You?
The thing is, nuts have suffered from a bad rap through the years because they are high in fat. I remember being told to stay away from nuts with the focus on the calorie intake.
It wasn't until I started researching real food and health that I realized that nuts are full of healthy fats and even help to lower your LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.
The Mayo Clinic reports that "Nuts also appear to improve the health of the lining of your arteries." In addition, they are great sources of protein, omega-3 fats, fiber, and vitamin E.
And that protein and fat in nuts?
That's what works so well to satisfy us even when we just eat a couple tablespoons. A little really goes a long way with nuts, but they are also one of the key real foods that helped me lose - and maintain - weight.
Easy & Healthy Spiced Nuts Recipe
While I love the flavor of most roasted nuts, after awhile plain salted nuts can seem a bit...bland.
Since I didn't want to add sugar like most of the spiced glazed nut recipes I see, I was thrilled when a friend brought spiced nuts to a gathering we had. They were SO good - the spices made the same old nuts I'd been eating seem like new.
The ingredients are simple:
- Spices - pantry basic spices, nothing hard to source.
- Oil - olive, coconut, avocado, etc.
- Raw Nuts - any type you want, though I have found the spice sticks best on nuts with crevices like raw walnuts and pecans.
And guess what? I learned that the spices make the nuts even BETTER for you!
I've written about the healing benefits of turmeric, and cayenne pepper has been reported to aid in everything from heart issues to helping get rid of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
In addition, cinnamon is an antioxidant that can help regulate blood sugar, among other things, ginger is an anti-inflammatory, and curry is said to help bones, digestion, and even help fight cancer.
The amounts used and eaten in a few nuts probably won't make a huge impact, but over time you are adding to the health of your overall diet, which is a good thing, right?
And don't you love it when something good for you tastes great, too?
Of course, making something taste better may increase the temptation to eat more, so there is that.
Everything still needs to be in moderation, since nuts do pack that good amount of calories from fat, even if it's good fat.
But you can definitely add a small handful of these nuts to your daily routine and reap the benefits of this nutrient-dense food, especially because they're easy and can be made in 15 minutes or less!
Other Healthy Nut Recipes You May Like:
- Chipotle Spicy Roasted Almonds - Easy, Sugar Free
- Maple Sweetened Chili Pecans
- Perfectly Roasted & Salted Almonds (WAY better than bought!)
- Cranberry Cashew Granola Bites
Easy & Healthy Spiced Nuts Recipe (Sugar Free)
Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder I use hot
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon rounded cayenne pepper or more/less to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons olive coconut, or peanut oil
- 2 cups raw nuts like pecans walnuts, almonds & cashews
Instructions
- Heat oven to 325 degrees and line a small cookie sheet with parchment or silicone.
- Combine all the spices in a medium bowl that will hold the nuts, too. Add oil and mix until smooth.
- Dump the nuts into the bowl and stir until they are evenly coated and spread evenly on the prepared pan in a single layer.
- Bake nuts for 12-15 minutes, stirring at the halfway point.
- Remove from oven and stir once more before letting sit on pan to cool for about an hour. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Adapted from a recipe in The New Basics Cookbook.
This recipe has been updated - it was originally published March 2014.
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Marilyn says
Nuts are my go-to snack and I avoid sugar so these are a good choice. If I make them again I would try different spice blends as the curry overpowered the others. Also would increase the amount of spices. I roasted mine at 350 for almost 30 minutes to bring out the roasted flavor. Thank you for this recipe!
Jami says
It's great to be able to change things up to our tastes - one of the biggest benefits of making things ourselves!
Thanks so much for the review.
Nancy says
My husband accidentally bought a big jar of unsalted mixed nuts. We tried to like them, but……
This seems like a good “experiment to bring some life to them!
Jami says
This should be perfect for them, Nancy!
Dave Maves says
It's opening weedend for the National Football League, and this recipe is definitely on the menu. I've made this recipe three times already, and the only thing I change is I drastically increase the amounts, otherwise I would be making these twice a week. Thanks so much.
Jami says
I'm so glad you like these - perfect for NFL!
Roberta says
Amazing! I’m tired of all the sugary nut recipes and wanted something healthier. This recipe is perfect. I did add another 1/2 c of nuts to tame the spices to my preference and that’s it. Thanks for posting this recipe!
Jami says
Wonderful - so glad you liked it, Roberta!
Thank you so much for the review.
Shellee Kennedy says
Excellent, thank you!!
Jami says
Glad you like these - thanks for the review, Shellee!
Rebecca Santos says
Made as not only no sugar but also NO NIGHTSHADE Christmas git. Wonderful!!! and Delicious!!! Used as base recipe switched graham masala (nightshade free) for the curry and 1/8 tsp white pepper for cayenne. Increased some of the quantities of spices to taste. Great recipe added coriander and cardamon. THANK YOU!!
Jami says
Wonderful, Rebecca - glad you liked these!
Curtis says
These were Deeeeeeelicious! Made a half batch today With pecans, as we're all trapped at home, and was feeling snacky. Very aromatic, not too spicy, and the only thing I did differently was add a bit more salt after they were spread in the pan. Incredibly simple to make as well, with no egg whites or burnt sugar mess. Going to try a batch with a spicy Garam Masala instead of the curry powder next time and see what happens.
Jami says
Sounds like a delicious variation, Curtis - thanks for the review!
Byenia says
Just made this recipe tonight using almonds, walnuts and pecans, and I am impressed! Was looking for sugar-free snacks to send to a friend and think he'll like these nuts. 🙂
Jami says
So glad - I think he'll like them, too. 🙂
Maureen says
Wow! I was looking for a spiced nuts recipe that didn't use sugar and this is fantastic. I used pecans and they turned out great. This recipe has a good bite to it. I'll definitely be making these again. And again.
Jami says
Wonderful!
Peggy says
I was so excited to make these per the positive reviews. Unfortunately I did not experience deliciousness. I kept tasting different walnuts hoping I would find that one that would prove my taste buds wrong. This recipe did not work for me. I do appreciate the recipe being posted, and I am happy for those who loved the recipe results. I will try something else.
Jami says
Sorry they weren't you you taste, Peggy, but I do appreciate your honest, yet kind review. 🙂
Nicole says
OMG - these are amazing! I didn't realize i was out of cumin till i had already started, but it still tasted amazing without it!
I did pecans and cashews! Wow! Thanks for putting this out there!
Jami says
So glad you liked it!
Sherry says
Just popped a batch out of the oven - the house smells delightful and the nuts look fab!
I'm testing for Christmas gift jars - how long do you suppose these will last in an airtight jar? Just wondering how far in advance I can make.
Also - have you made a sweet/spicy version? Wondering how a little honey or maple syrup added would do?
Excellent recipe though, will make for gifts and myself!
Jami says
Glad you're trying the nuts! We've had them up to a week in a jar, though they should last longer - we just ate them in that time. 🙂
And I just posted the sweet/spicy version I like with pecans (also works with walnuts, but slides off of almonds...): https://anoregoncottage.com/healthy-maple-sweetened-chili-pecans/
They do make great gifts!
Alice says
Tried these for the first time and they are addictive. The print link did not work for me.
Jami says
Glad you liked them, Alice! I'm (slowly) trying to update my older recipes to use a new format that will print - sorry for the inconvenience!
Linda says
Just made these this morning with pistachio, walnut and pecan.. Fantastic! Thanks for posting, another one of your recipes I will be using often.
Thanks Linda
Kathy says
Yummy! Great idea to satisfy that savory snack bug! Going to give this a try.
daisy says
Oooooooooooh, those look and sound so good! I'll have to pick up some of the spices I don't currently have and try this one out. I love me some nuts too! ;0)