IRRESISTIBLE SWEET AND SPICY NUTS RECIPE:
THE PERFECT SNACK FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION
At LifeHouse Chiropractic, we believe that wellness extends beyond chiropractic care—it encompasses lifestyle choices, nutrition, and thoughtful gestures of appreciation. That’s why Dr. Janna is sharing her favorite Sweet and Spicy Nuts recipe, a delicious snack that we’ve been proud to gift to our practice members during the holiday season. Packed with wholesome ingredients and the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors, this recipe reflects our philosophy that healthy, homemade treats can be both nourishing and enjoyable, especially when shared with loved ones.
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Yield: 6 cups
Ingredients for Sweet and Spicy Nuts:
- 1 cup of each of the following, or any nuts & seeds of your choice: pecans, walnuts, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds & pumpkin seeds.
- 3 tablespoons butter (or coconut oil), melted
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
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Directions for Sweet and Spicy Nuts:
1. Grease a crockpot with coconut oil.
2. Dump your nuts and seeds into the prepared crockpot.
3. In a small bowl, melt butter or coconut oil, then add the maple syrup and spices.
4. Pour the sweet and spicy mixture over the nuts. Stir well with a big spoon or spatula to ensure that the nuts are well mixed and consistently coated in the sweet and spicy mix.
5. Cover and cook on high for 30-60 minutes (depending on how hot your crockpot gets), stirring occasionally. Then lower the heat to “low” and cook for another hour or an hour and a half. Whenever you take the lid off to stir the pot, be sure to wipe any condensation from the lid, as you want the nuts/seeds to become dry.
6. You may even want to put the lid on slightly ajar, so they can dry out.
7. Once the nuts/seeds seem dry, pour them onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet to cook and to finish drying.
8. If the nuts/seeds still seem a little sticky or wet, place them in the oven at 200° for another hour, stirring occasionally.
9. Remove from oven, and allow the nuts/seeds to cool completely.
10. Store in an airtight container, like a Mason jar. You can decorate it with a ribbon and label or tag and give as a homemade gift.
Nutritional Value of Sweet and Spicy Nuts Ingredients:
When making Sweet and Spicy Nuts, choosing high-quality ingredients is key to creating a nutritious and delicious snack. At LifeHouse Chiropractic, we recommend using raw organic nuts and seeds as the best option. Nuts and seeds, like almonds, walnuts, cashews, and sunflower seeds, are packed with healthy fats, protein, and fiber. Using raw varieties ensures that you preserve the natural oils and nutrients, which can be damaged when they are pre-roasted at high temperatures. When prepared low and slow in a crockpot, the nuts and seeds retain their beneficial properties, making this recipe both flavorful and health-promoting.
Butter or coconut oil are the preferred fats in this recipe because they are more stable at higher cooking temperatures than many seed oils. Seed oils, like canola or vegetable oil, can oxidize when heated, creating harmful compounds that can promote inflammation. Butter, especially from grass-fed cows, is rich in fat-soluble vitamins like A and K2, while coconut oil provides medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that are easily used for energy and support metabolism.
Instead of using refined sugar, we’ve chosen maple syrup as a natural sweetener in this recipe. Maple syrup contains trace minerals such as manganese and zinc, and its lower glycemic index means it causes a slower rise in blood sugar compared to refined sugar. This makes it a healthier, more nutrient-rich sweetener option while still delivering the perfect sweetness to balance the spices.
When it comes to seasoning, we use sea salt instead of regular table salt. Sea salt retains essential minerals, such as magnesium and potassium, that are stripped away in table salt. These minerals help balance electrolytes in the body and support overall wellness.
Finally, the spices in this recipe not only bring the sweet and spicy flavors to life but also offer medicinal benefits. Cinnamon is known to help regulate blood sugar, while cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which can boost metabolism and reduce inflammation. Nutmeg and ginger are also included, both of which have anti-inflammatory properties and aid in digestion.
