Sweet. Delicious. Healthy. Quick & Easy. These vegan Chai-Spiced Mixed Nuts hit all the right notes and are a must-have item for your family!
These Chai Spiced Mixed Nuts have honestly converted me from an “I don’t like nuts” person to a “give me these gems every day” person! They are a little sweet – just enough to satisfy that craving – and a little savory thanks to the depth of flavor gained through roasting. They are so, so good!
Bring in the Nuts
Start with unsalted, raw mixed nuts. Use whatever mix you like. All nuts work well here, so use a combo of your favorites, or stick to just one variety. It’s up to you! But stick with the raw, unsalted version. You will need two heaping cups.
It’s surprising how many health benefits nuts bring. They are powerhouses that offer fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and healthy fats. All of these things make nuts great for gut health. And they are low-carb, too!
Add Sugar and Spice
We are using our fav combo of spices for a chai-inspired snack and it is amazing! Feel free to sub in your favorite sweet spice mix, like pie spice or simply cinnamon.
Brown sugar compliments these chai spices perfectly, though coconut sugar is a great option, too. Both have caramel notes that take your Chai Spiced Mixed Nuts to another level.
The “Egg”
Most sugared nut recipes include egg white, but we wanted a vegan option without needing to caramelize sugar on the stovetop (a common method used in candied nuts). Turns out one of the most common vegan egg substitutes worked perfectly while adding a little flavor and nutritional boost that we absolutely love!
The flax egg works just just like egg whites to help the sugar and spices stick to the nuts, ensuring that every bite of your Chai Spiced Mixed Nuts will be full of flavor.
Make this “egg” by whisking ground flax seed with a little water, then letting it set to thicken. We used just enough to coat the nuts rather than mixing up a whole “egg.”
The Method for Chai Spiced Mixed Nuts
Whisk up your flax egg first so that it has time to thicken. Then pull out your other ingredients, setting aside your mixed nuts for now and whisking together your sugar and spices.
Once the “egg” has thickened – it will take about 5 minutes – whisk in the sugar/spice mixture to form a paste. Then stir in the nuts so they are evenly coated.
Roasting Your Chai Spiced Mixed Nuts
A very low oven temperature will keep your nuts from burning, so don’t be tempted to raise it. After many tests, we found that a temperature of 275 degrees F was perfect, for developing an amazing roasted depth while allowing the nuts to dry to a crispy flavorful finish.
After the first 15 minutes, use a spatula to turn your nuts in the pan. Roast for another 10 minutes, then cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
This amazing snack will keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature. We suspect it will keep longer, but ours never lasted that long!
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Healthy Dinner Options
We know snacks don’t usually make a meal. Though we won’t judge you if they do! Here are some quick and easy favorites to serve up for dinner tonight.
- Roasted Tomato Soup
- Creamy Broccoli Soup
- Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili
- Roasted Veg with Feta and Farro
- Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowls
Enjoy!
Chai Spiced Mixed Nuts {Vegan}
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon ground flax seed
- 1 tablespoon water
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoons coarse salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (heaping) raw unsalted mixed nuts
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 275 degrees F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper (or spray with cooking spray).
- Mix the flax “egg”: In a large bowl, whisk the flax meal and water, then set aside for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Gather your flavoring: While the flax thickens, mix the sugar and spices together in a separate small bowl, making sure there are no clumps. Set aside.
- Mix it all together: Once the flax is thickened, whisk in the vanilla, then add the sugar and spice mixture to form a paste. Add your mixed nuts and stir to evenly coat.
- Roast your mixed nuts: Spread the coated nuts in a single layer on your prepared pan, then roast in your preheated oven for 15 minutes. Stir and roast for another 10 minutes, or until the nuts are dry to the touch.
- Cool and enjoy! Allow your roasted nuts to cool completely, then enjoy or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Use any spices you enjoy for these. They are endlessly variable! Pie spice is a good choice, as is simple cinnamon alone.
- Feel free to substitute coconut sugar for the brown sugar. That, too, is delicious! You can use granulated sugar, but you will lose the wonderful caramel notes of the darker sugar.
- We made these vegan by using a flax “egg” instead of egg white. Feel free to use an egg white whisked with a little water instead.
- Don’t omit the flax egg (or egg white if that’s what you are using)! It helps the sugar and spice mixture adhere to the mixed nuts for better flavor and an even distribution.
