Cinnamon Walnuts

Just a few simple ingredients are all you need to make these delicious Cinnamon Walnuts. They’re crisp and buttery with a not-too-sweet maple cinnamon flavor that will keep you coming back for more. The simple small batch recipe makes a fantastic party snack or holiday gift! 

These Cinnamon Walnuts check all the boxes: 

• They’re indulgent.
• But not overly sweet. 
• Are easy to make.
• And taste delicious! 

With the holidays approaching, tuck this simple recipe in your back pocket. It comes together quickly and is perfect for gifting. Similar to these flavorful rosemary cashews and curry spiced cashews, the small batch recipe makes just one cup of seasoned nuts. 

Here’s What You’ll Need

Walnuts, large halves look the prettiest but a few pieces are okay. 

Maple syrup and olive oil. 

Ground cinnamon and sea salt. 

Sugar for dusting the warm nuts straight out of the oven.  

How to Make Cinnamon Walnuts

Start by mixing together the maple syrup, olive oil, cinnamon, and salt. You want a thick and well-combined mixture. That way each nut gets coated with maple-cinnamon-salty flavor. 

Now add your nuts and stir well to coat them. Then stir them again. You want to get all that syrupy goodness into every little walnut nook that you can. 

Pour the walnuts onto a greased pan and spread in an even layer. A little 1/8 Sheet Pan is my go-to for small jobs like this. It fits nicely in our toaster oven and the rimmed edges help to keep the nuts from escaping when you stir them. 

Pop the pan in the oven and go wash up. After about 7 minutes, carefully pull out the pan and give the nuts a few good stirs. 

You’ll notice a little bubbly syrup on the pan. Use your spatula to scoop up all that deliciousness and stir it onto the nuts. 

Pop them back into the oven and repeat the stirring every 3 or 4 minutes until the nuts are golden and toasted. 

You’ll know they’re ready when your house smells amazing and the walnut flesh is toasted with a deeper color.

As soon as the nuts come out of the oven, give them a dusting of cinnamon sugar and let them sit for 30 minutes. While the nuts cool, they’ll develop a light and crispy coating.

Once cooled I usually store them in a jar in the pantry. If you keep them anywhere in your eye line, I guarantee they won’t last long!