Vegan Maple Cinnamon Roasted Cashews
Description:
These Vegan Maple Cinnamon Roasted Cashews are the ultimate snack that blends the sweetness of maple syrup with the warmth of cinnamon, creating a perfect balance of flavors. They’re crunchy, slightly salty, and deliciously satisfying, making them an ideal choice for both adults and kids alike. The roasting process ensures they turn golden brown and crisp, while the maple syrup coating provides a delightful caramelized texture. This simple yet scrumptious recipe is perfect for quick snacks, lunchboxes, or even as a party appetizer. The best part? These roasted cashews are vegan, easy to make, and require just a handful of ingredients. A delicious snack in under 40 minutes — it’s a must-try!
Recipe Information
Total Time | 35 minutes |
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Prep Time | 5 minutes |
Cook Time | 30 minutes |
Servings | 4 |
Category | Lunch/Snacks |
Difficulty | Easy |
Cuisine | Vegan, Canadian |
Ingredients
Ingredient | Quantity |
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Raw cashews | 2 cups |
Vegan maple syrup | 1/4 cup |
Ground cinnamon | 1 teaspoon |
Non-hydrogenated vegan margarine | 1 tablespoon |
Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
Vegan cooking spray | As needed |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Nutrient | Amount |
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Calories | 393.2 kcal |
Fat | 31.8 g |
Saturated Fat | 6.3 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Sodium | 49.7 mg |
Carbohydrates | 22.4 g |
Fiber | 2.1 g |
Sugar | 3.4 g |
Protein | 10.5 g |
Instructions
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your oven is hot and ready for roasting the cashews to perfection.
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Prepare the Cashews: Spread the raw cashews evenly on a baking sheet or cookie tray. Ensure that they are in a single layer to roast uniformly. Place the tray in the preheated oven and roast the cashews for about 15 minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown. The exact time may vary depending on your oven, so be sure to check them periodically.
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Test the Cashews: If you’re not sure whether the cashews are done, take one out and let it cool for a moment. If it has a crisp texture and golden color, it’s ready! If not, allow them to roast a little longer.
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Make the Maple Syrup Mixture: While the cashews are roasting, take a microwave-safe bowl or cup and combine 1/4 cup of vegan maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of non-hydrogenated vegan margarine, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir the ingredients together until they are well mixed.
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Heat the Syrup Mixture: Place the bowl with the maple syrup mixture in the microwave and heat it for about 1 minute. The syrup should begin to boil and become slightly thicker. If it’s not boiling after a minute, continue heating in 10-15 second intervals until it does.
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Combine Cashews and Syrup: Once the cashews are ready, remove them from the oven. Pour the hot syrup mixture over the cashews. Gently stir the cashews in the bowl to ensure that they’re evenly coated with the syrup mixture. Be careful, as the syrup can be hot.
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Return to the Tray: Spray your baking tray with a light coating of vegan cooking spray to prevent the cashews from sticking. Carefully spoon the cashews back onto the tray, ensuring they’re spread out evenly. If there’s leftover syrup in the bowl, you can drizzle a little extra on top of the cashews for added flavor, but try to avoid letting it pool in the tray.
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Roast Again: Return the tray with the cashews to the oven for an additional 15 minutes. During this time, the maple syrup will caramelize, giving the cashews a shiny, slightly sticky coating. Optional: You can lower the oven temperature to 300°F (150°C) or 325°F (160°C) at this point to prevent the syrup from burning. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overcook.
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Check for Crispiness: As the cashews roast, check on them every 5-10 minutes to ensure they’re not burning. Stir them gently once or twice to help them brown evenly. The roasting time may vary, especially if you’re using a toaster oven, so be vigilant.
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Cool and Harden: Once the cashews are golden brown and the syrup has formed a crisp coating, remove the tray from the oven. Place the tray on a cooling rack to let the cashews cool and the syrup harden.
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Serve: Once cooled, use a spatula to lift the cashews from the tray. They should easily come off, and the syrup should have formed a light, crunchy shell around them. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Tips and Variations
- Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer your cashews a little sweeter, you can increase the amount of maple syrup by an extra tablespoon or so.
- Add a hint of vanilla: For an additional layer of flavor, add a splash of vanilla extract to the syrup mixture before microwaving.
- Nuts and seeds: Feel free to swap in other nuts or seeds, such as almonds or pumpkin seeds, for a different flavor and texture.
- Make it spicy: For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the cinnamon mixture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Vegan Maple Cinnamon Roasted Cashews are perfect for those looking for a healthy, yet indulgent snack that is quick and simple to prepare. The cashews are roasted to a perfect crunch, while the maple syrup and cinnamon create a sweet, spiced glaze that clings to the nuts without being overly sticky. Plus, this recipe is vegan-friendly, kid-approved, and takes less than an hour to make. It’s great for lunch, an afternoon snack, or even as a party snack to impress your guests.
So go ahead and give these a try — they’re sure to become a favorite in your snack rotation!