Savory Mixed Nuts

**new updated photos coming soon

If you’re looking for the best savory nut mix for holiday gifting, this easy maple herb roasted nut recipe is one you’ll make on repeat. Packed with toasty pecans, pistachios, and macadamia nuts (add any nut you love) plus a sweet-savory maple glaze and a burst of flavor from the dried cranberries – this homemade snack is irresistibly crunchy and incredibly simple to throw together. A dear friend shared this recipe with me years ago, and it’s been my go-to Christmas edible gift, perfect for cocktail parties, hostess gifts, and holiday snack boards. Make a big batch, package it up, and enjoy the most delicious, make-ahead treat of the season!

Why I love these savory mixed nuts so much

I love giving and receiving delicious homemade gifts at the holidays.  Every year, our good friend, Ruth, blesses us with a tin of her out-of-this-world Chex Mix.  It’s chock full of all sorts of precious nuts and goodies.  We look forward to it every year. Last year, she added another treat to our Christmas Package!  I thought nothing could top her Chex Mix, but this savory nut mixture did it.  These nuts are so addicting it’s tempting to make them all year round.  But I couldn’t do it.  I had to save them for the Holidays and special occasions.  After all, that’s one of the things that makes the holidays and Christmas time special, right?  We only have certain foods and treats once a year, and if you are like me, you obsess over them all year!

Gather these ingredients

I have a confession to make. After Ruth emailed me this recipe and savory was on the ingredient list, I asked myself, does she mean Sage? I read and reread it, then dismissed it as a typo. I went to the store, and savory was next to the rosemary! Seriously, I had never heard of this herb or used it. Savory is similar to rosemary in flavor. I would say it is more woody and aromatic, possibly, than rosemary, but still similar. Savory is not always easy to find, so if you can’t find it leave it out. As you can see I didn’t even include it in the ingredients above because I rarely can find it.

How to make savory nut mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Measure out your nuts into a bowl. Combine olive oil, maple syrup, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and finely chopped herbs and whisk them together. Pour this mixture over the nuts, and mix well making sure all the nuts have been covered with the coating.

Pour nuts onto a baking sheet, spread them out into a single layer. If there is any of the maple herb concoction in the bowl use a spatula to scrape all out and drizzle it over the nuts on the baking sheet. Pop your baking sheet in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes. If you’re oven runs hot 10 minutes is plenty, if it runs cooler then give them another five, but watch closely you don’t want to burn them.

Remove from oven and sprinkle dried cranberries over the nuts and mix them around on the baking sheet.

Lay parchment paper out on kitchen countertop, and pour nuts out on the parchment paper to cool. Spread them out so they don’t stick together. Sprinkle with a little bit of kosher salt or if you have a nice flaky salt like Maldon use that. Not too much just a wee sprinkle.

Once your savory nut mix is completely cooled pack it in gift boxes, mason jars, food safe gift bags, and start sharing!

 

More homemade gift ideas

• Beer Bread
• Granola
• Cappuccino Mix
• Puppy Chow
• Gingerbread Caramel Corn
• Peanut Butter Pretzel Caramel Corn