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!
If you’re looking for a fun snack, these cinnamon walnuts check all the boxes: they’re indulgent but not overly sweet. Are easy to make. And they taste delicious!
We like to add them to bowls of oatmeal and yogurt but these crunchy nuts also make a great addition to snack platters.
Similar to these flavorful spiced cashews, the small-batch recipe makes just one cup of seasoned nuts but it can easily be doubled if you want more.
Recipe Notes
Walnuts Halves: It’s okay if there are a few smaller pieces in the mix but the nuts will toast more evenly if they’re mostly the same size.
Oil: You can use any oil you want. A basic olive oil is my go-to but grapeseed, coconut oil, or canola oil will also work.
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Start by adjusting your toaster oven’s cooking rack to the bottom placement. Select the BAKE setting and preheat to 325°F.
2. Next, mix together the maple syrup, oil, cinnamon, and salt. You want a thick and well-combined mixture. That way each nut gets coated with a yummy maple-cinnamon-salty flavor.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Pop the pan back into the oven and repeat the stirring every 3 or 4 minutes until the nuts are golden and toasted.
7. You’ll know they’re ready when your house smells amazing and the walnut flesh is toasted with a deeper color.
8. 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 they cool, the nuts will develop a light and crispy coating.
Once they’re completely cooled I usually store the nuts in a jar in the pantry. If you keep them anywhere in your eye line, I guarantee they won’t last long!
More Toaster Oven Snacks
- Toaster Oven Cinnamon Chips
- Toaster Oven Pizza Bagels
- Rosemary Cashews
- Toaster Oven Bagel Chips
- Polenta Bites (Bake or Air Fry)
- Toaster Oven Baked Pita Chips
- Small Batch Chex Mix
Cinnamon Walnuts
Maple syrup and a dusting of cinnamon sugar give these toasted buttery walnuts a lightly sweet and crispy texture. Perfect for gifting, they can be enjoyed on their own, atop baked sweet potatoes, or sprinkled on your morning oatmeal.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Maple Syrup
- 1½ teaspoons Olive Oil (see note)
- 1/4 teaspoon and 1/8 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon, divided
- 1/8 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
- 1 cup Shelled Raw Walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon Organic Granulated Sugar
Instructions
- Adjust the cooking rack to the bottom placement, select the BAKE setting, and preheat the toaster oven to 325°F. *In a traditional oven use the middle rack placement.
- Lightly coat a small rimmed sheet pan with cooking oil spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, and sea salt. Add the walnuts and stir well to coat.
- Pour the nuts onto the prepared pan and arrange them in a single layer.
Cook until the nuts are toasted, stirring occasionally, about 13 to 17 minutes total. - While the nuts are cooking, combine the granulated sugar and remaining 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon.
- When the walnuts are ready, remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Wait 30 seconds, then give the nuts a stir and spread into a single layer.
- Leave nuts on the pan to cool completely (about 30 minutes), they will crisp up further as they cool.
- If you manage to not devour them all in one sitting, store any leftovers in a well-sealed container.
Notes
Oil: We like to use a basic olive oil for this recipe. Extra-virgin olive oil works too it just has a more pronounced flavor that you may or may not like. Melted coconut oil is another good option but it may give the nuts a subtle coconut flavor.
Storage: Store leftover nuts in a sealed container at room temperature for 7 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1/4 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 199Total Fat: 18.3gSaturated Fat: 1.2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 59mgCarbohydrates: 5.6gFiber: 2gSugar: 2.8gProtein: 6.8g
Your cinnamon measurements say 1/4 tsp divided. When the nuts are done cooking you say to add remaining cinnimon. So all together I need to have cinnimon 1/4 for mixing and 1/4 with the suger to add after cooking? For a total of 1/2 tsp? Is it the same for the nutmeg? The recipe looks great. I am new too cooking and I want to make sure. Thanks
Hi Kate,
In a recipe if you see the term “divided” following an ingredient it’s meant to alert the cook that the ingredient is used at different times in the recipe.
The cinnamon called for is 1/4 teaspoon and 1/8 teaspoon, divided.
For this recipe you’ll need to measure 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Which is used in Step 3 when mixing the oil and maple syrup.
Then you’ll measure 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon. Which is called for in Step 5 with the sugar to coat the nuts after they are baked. *1/8 teaspoon is half of a 1/4 teaspoon. If you don’t have a measuring spoon this size you can eyeball filling half of the 1/4 teaspoon.
All that said, the recipe is pretty flexible and forgiving. If there’s a touch more cinnamon or sugar or oil it should be alright. 🙂
Also, this recipe doesn’t use nutmeg. The flavor of ground nutmeg is quite strong, if you wanted to add some I’d start with just a small pinch. A pinch is the tiny amount you can hold between your thumb and finger.
Since you mentioned you’re new to cooking, one tip: every oven (or toaster oven) is different. Until you get used to yours and know all its quirks I’d recommend checking on the food you’re cooking at the earliest time listed and adding more cooking time as needed until it’s done to your liking.
If you have any other questions please feel free to leave another comment. We’re happy to help and good luck with the nuts!
~ Brie
*edited for clarity