Who Needs Barbecue Chips When You've Got...

Barbecue Almonds!!!

I was inspired by Nikki from Eat to the Beet to participate in the Healthy Vegan Friday link up (hosted by Gabby from Veggie Nook and Carrie from Carrie on Vegan). So here we go.

I love snacking. I particularly adore fruit dipped in nut butters, but, honestly, I was never big on a handful of plain almonds or walnuts. They always had to be mixed with something. Dried cranberries, chocolate chips, and walnuts, anyone? 

Nuts just weren’t fun to eat. They always felt bland and dry in my mouth. 

When I stumbled upon the curried cashews recipe from Crazy Sexy Kitchen, I was intrigued, though I really don’t know why…probably the glossy picture. So I went for it (but with almonds instead).

After popping a few fresh-from-the-oven almonds in my mouth, I learned something: nuts make a great snack or side to a lunch. They’ve been keeping me nice and full for the past two weeks.

This week, I decided to try something new. Enter barbecue almonds. 

I used this recipe for the general idea, but applied the same techniques found in Crazy Sexy Kitchen.

 Barbecue Almonds

2-3 cups almond
2 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon coconut or date sugar, plus more if needed

1/2teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
Dash of cayenne
½ teaspoon salt, plus more if needed 

Olive oil spray

Soak almonds for 1 to 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 275 F.

Drain almonds and pat dry with a towel. They should still be a little damp.

Mix all the other ingredients in a bowl. Pour over almonds and mix with hands until everything is well incorporated.

Spray a cookie sheet with olive oil and cover the pan with a single layer of nuts (use another pan if it’s too crowded). Test a few for flavor. Sprinkle with a little more sugar and/or salt if need be.

Bake for 25 minutes, turning them over every 10 minutes. I did at the 10 minute mark and then again at the 20 minute mark.

Let them cool and store in a sealed container. 

Enjoy!

 
P.S. I finally got my like and follow buttons working, so if you haven't clicked them yet, please do. I'd appreciate it. Thank you!