Food gifts, like these slow cooker spiced nuts, are a great way to share the love this holiday season!
How to have a merrier holiday season.
We all know that the holidays often come with all kinds of stress and emotions, especially when it comes to food. And while I’m not here to open a big can of worms about food and emotions today I am here to share this recipe for Slow Cooker Spiced Nuts because I think it’s one that you definitely need to add to your rotation for holiday meals. They’re a great addition to lots of different dishes – both sweet and savory – and they make a lovely gift for teachers, your hairstylist, gym bestie, host or hostess, mail carrier, neighbor, or anyone who loves food.
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These may be habit-forming (in a good way)
It really couldn’t be any simpler than adding nuts, maple syrup, honey, orange zest, vanilla and spices (and LOVE) to a parchment paper-lined slow cooker and letting the low and slow heat work it’s caramelizing magic to create this simply amazing holiday treat.
There’s just something about the heavenly scent of cinnamon, ginger, allspice cardamon, nutmeg and vanilla that fills your home when these spiced nuts are cooking. You may find yourself making several batches this month. Some for you and some to gift to others!
You really should make these merry-making, holiday-enhancing, incredibly snackable Slow Cooker Spiced Nuts right now before things get too busy. I love to add them to a cheese or vegetable and hummus plate or sprinkle them over roasted pears or apples. And chances are good that your guests – like mine – will love them no matter how they’re served.
And, they really do make the sweetest little gift when packed into little jars.
Or better yet, try tucking them into other types of reusable containers like a silicone sandwich bag, a stack of stainless steel lunch containers, an insulated coffee tumbler or water bottle for a fun, eco-friendly gift that can be enjoyed all year round.
Don’t Forget to Make Merry with these Two Simple Steps (paying particular attention to #1)
- Spend more time with family and friends, both old and new. The act of gathering together over food or gifting another with a homemade treat connects people in a way that social media or a quick ‘hello’ can never do. At it’s most basic, food is love.
- Make these Slow Cooker Spiced Nuts and share them with all of your friends. Or make them for your next holiday gathering. Or make them for a sweet little treat for lunch boxes or to add to your morning bowl of yogurt or oats. Just make them soon!
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Slow Cooker Spiced Nuts
A lightly sweet treat that everyone will love. Made in the slow cooker, these Slow Cooker Spiced Nuts are simple to make and are the perfect food gift for the snack lovers on your list.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 mins
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 mins
- Yield: 16 1x
- Category: Slow Cooker, Sweets & Treats
Ingredients
- 4 cups raw mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, etc.)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp. honey (or additional maple syrup for vegan-friendly)
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. ground ginger
- ¼ tsp. ground allspice
- ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp. ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp. salt
Instructions
- Line a slow cooker with parchment paper, pressing the excess paper against the sides and creasing as needed so it lays flat against the side of the slow cooker insert.
- Place nuts in the slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and stir until nuts are evenly coated.
- Place lid on the slow cooker and set to LOW heat. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and stir nuts. Replace the lid.
- Continue cooking, stirring every 30 minutes, until nuts are sticky and fragrant (about 2 – 3 hours depending on your slow cooker).
- Use parchment paper to carefully lift the nuts out of the slow cooker. Place them, on the parchment paper, on a large baking sheet, stirring occasionally until completely cool.
Notes
Recipe Testing Note: While most any nut (or seed) will work for this recipe, we found that pistachios burned easily and therefore should be avoided.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 228
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 19g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
What are your favorite food gifts to give and receive? Share in the comments below.
Pin this now & Make later!
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Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Jess of Plays Well with Butter.
Danielle says
I made these over the Holidays…they were tasty!
Jessica Beacom says
Great! Thanks for sharing, Danielle!
Aprille says
Hello,
I do not have a slow cooker.
Would it work to cook them in the oven?
Jessica Beacom says
Hi Aprille,
You can spread the nuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake the oven at 200 degrees F. I’d check them every 30 minutes or so, more frequently as they get closer to being done.
Jane says
Thanks for the recipe! I am looking for some idea for food gifts for Christmas that I can make early and store in the freezer. We are doing a major remodel at the end of the year but I still want to do teacher, neighbor, friend gifts. How do you think these would store for a month or two in the freezer? Thanks!
Stacie Hassing says
Hi Jane! I would suggest making this recipe soon and then freezing them to see how they hold up. You could check after a couple of weeks. My guess is that they will be fine but since they are a gift I wouldn’t want you to making several batches and then they don’t turn out how you’d like. These spiced nuts will make the perfect holiday gift!
Tammy Lopez says
Can I use sugar free syrup instead of pure maple as I am diabetic?
★★★★
Jessica Beacom says
Hi Tammy,
Unfortunately you can’t. You need the sugar in the syrup to get that nice caramelized candy coating.
Caitlin says
Would these need to be refrigerated? I am planning to make as Christmas gifts a few weeks early and wasn’t sure how long they would stay fresh? Thanks!
Stacie Hassing says
In the fridge would be best. Hope you enjoy!
Michelle says
Can I use a crockpot liner (bag) instead of parchment?
Jessica Beacom says
Yes, you could.
Erin T says
If you plan to gift the day after making, do they need to be refrigerated?
Jessica Beacom says
Hi Erin,
They do not need to be refrigerated and can be stored at room temperature.
Peyton says
How do i store these? And how long will they last? They are delicious 🙂
Stacie Hassing says
I store them in an airtight container in the fridge if I know they aren’t going to be eaten right away. They will last a good 2-3 weeks in the fridge.
Martha S Carapetyan says
These are fab-u-lous!! Is there any reason the recipe can’t be doubled? I have an enormous crockpot and a lot of raw nuts (and a lot of names on the gift list). It would be great to make a double batch in the same amount of time.
Jessica Beacom says
Hi Martha,
Thank you! You can double the batch though they’ll probably need to be stirred more often since you’ll have a larger amount of mass in the slow cooker. You may also need to add a little more cooking time depending – though I can’t be sure.
Dawn says
I just made these and though they taste great, they are very gooey. Are they supposed to be gooey and sticky or did I do something wrong. I double checked my ingredients and I cooked them in the slow cooker for 3 hours on low? Thanks
Jessica Beacom says
Hi Dawn,
They should not be gooey once fully cooled. It may be that your slow cooker isn’t as hot as ours or that your lid fits tighter (and thus does not allow as much evaporation of liquid during cooking). Next time I’d suggest cooking them longer to see if that remedies the issue.
Joanie says
I can’t find raw mixed nuts at a price I can afford. Can I used roasted nuts?
Stacie Hassing says
You sure could. I would recommend using lightly salted or unsalted. Enjoy!
Traci Wehrle says
Slightly disappointed, followed the recipe exactly (even measured – which is not my style at all, lol). At about the 90 minute mark, I noticed a burning smell. After they cooled, I picked out the burned ones – the non-burned remainder were yummy.
If I try them again I think I’ll stir at 15 minute intervals instead.
Jessica Beacom says
Hi Traci,
I’m sorry to hear that you had some nuts burn. Stirring more often may be a good idea in case your slow cooker has a ‘hot spot’ or two like mine does.
Sue says
I just made these, delicious!
★★★★★
Jessica Beacom says
So glad you enjoyed them, Sue!
galey says
This sounds amazing! Should the nuts be soaked first?
Jessica Beacom says
Hi Galey,
You can soak and dry the nuts before adding them to the slow cooker if that is your preference but it’s certainly not necessary.
carol says
Can you use a slow cooker liner bag instead of parchment paper? These sound delicious by the way
Stacie Hassing says
Yes, that should work! And they are soooooo delicious! Enjoy
Emily says
These look great! But I’m doing a whole 30. Will the slow cooker work the same to toast the nuts with the oil and spices, omitting the sugars? Thanks!
Stacie Hassing says
Hi Emily! Yes you could still use the slow cooker even without the maple syrup. Enjoy!