Always looking for new healthy snack ideas, I began looking for something interestingly easy, crunchy and versatile enough for lunch salads or breakfast greek yogurts.  I was seeking the ultimate protein crunch factor. I ventured to my absolute favorite recipe idea haven on the internet Pinterest. Throughout searching I decided on something nutty!

Sweetly spiced hot walnuts to be specific. I am aware that spiced or candied walnuts may be a holiday thing – but really … walking down the streets of manhattan, heavily sugar caramelized nuts of all sorts are a year long daily delicacy.

I tweaked some recipes a bit to make it healthy and appropriate for breakfast, lunch and snacks.

 

• 1 Pound of Walnuts  (i added some pecans as well)
• 4 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons water
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (i like spice – so i added 3 times as much)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees | line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil

Whisk or stir all the ingredients together minus the nuts.  This creates a syrupy mixture.

Now mix in the nuts. Make sure you coat them all. Then spread on the baking sheet, separating any chunks.

Bake for about a half hour, once you start to smell the aroma flip them over in the oven. They will be ready about ten minutes after.

These are a healthy and interesting snack and a great topper for almost anything healthy.  I kept a stash in a mason jar for about a week. Happy healthy eating!