These sweet and savory roasted sesame cashews are perfect for parties or just afternoon snacking.
I think every celebratory meal needs a good drink and a little nibble to start off the festivities, don’t you?
These sesame cashews are my answer to the “what to serve with cocktails” dilemma. And while there’s still a couple weeks before the real madness of the holiday season begins there’s no reason to put off making these until then.
How to make sesame cashews:
The cashews are roasted once then covered in a sweet and salty mix of maple syrup and coconut aminos (or tamari if you prefer) and tossed with two kinds of sesame seeds and toasted nori.
They return to the oven a second time where the cashews get golden and the nori turns crisp and crunchy from the glaze. Two kinds of sesame seeds cling to each bite of cashews and clusters of nori.
What you wind up with is a mix that’s both sweet and savory and has just the right amount of saltiness to balance each out. It’s a tasty crowd-pleaser that involves minimal effort (just the kind of thing I like to have in my back pocket this time of year.)
These salty, sweet sesame cashews with a hit of umami make a great afternoon snack or appetizer. Set out a bowl at your next get-together and watch them disappear, or keep a little stash around to munch on when afternoon cravings strike.
And of course it also makes a nice homemade gift if you’re looking for something to make other than sweets.
More snack recipes:
Roasted Sesame Cashews
These sweet and savory roasted sesame cashews are perfect for parties or just afternoon snacking.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets of nori
- 2 cups/224g cashews, raw
- 2 Tablespoons/30g maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon/15ml coconut oil
- 2 Tablespoons/30ml coconut aminos (or gluten-free tamari)
- 2 Tablespoons/14g white sesame seeds
- 2 Tablespoons/14g black sesame seeds
- ½ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Place nori sheets directly on oven rack and toast for 3-5 minutes until crisp. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Place cashews on a baking sheet and roast for 5-7 minutes until barely golden.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the maple syrup, coconut oil and coconut aminos. Cook stirring constantly until the mixture becomes frothy and slightly sticky (about 2 minutes.)
- Add the roasted cashews and stir until coated. Tear the toasted nori sheet with your hands and stir into the cashews along with the sesame seeds.
- Pour the mixture back onto the sheet pan, spreading it out in a single layer, then sprinkle with sea salt. Return to oven and roast for an additional 7 minutes until browned.
- Remove from oven and let cool on the sheet pan.
- Allow to cool complete before storing in an airtight container or serving.
Notes
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Paleo, Vegan
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Simply Organic Whole Black Sesame Seed, Certified Organic | 3.28 oz | Sesamum indicum -
Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos (2 Pack) - 8 fl oz - Low Sodium Soy Sauce Alternative, Low-Glycemic - Organic, Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Kosher - Keto, Paleo - 96 Total Servings -
Emerald Cove, Organic Untoasted Nori Sheets Package, 10 Count Sheets, Pacific Nori, 0.9 Oz (Pack of 6)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
¼ cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 75Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 151mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Hannah says
Looks awesome, will try it this weekend. What could be substituted for the coconut aminos other than tamari? I don't have either and would prefer not to buy a whole bottl of it if possible.
Thanks 🙂
Sylvie says
Soy sauce works as well if you don't need to avoid gluten. Use a little less salt in that case as it's saltier.
May says
this looks fantastic! yum what a great idea!!
Rakhee@boxofspice says
What an interesting combination! I love cashews and it such a big snack in India. We usually roast them too! Love. 🙂
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
I've never had nori before but love cashews so this is a must try! LOVE how easy it is!
Kankana says
Cashews are the only kind of nuts that I can much all day long and when roasted, it's hard to stop!
eat good 4 life says
What a great healthy snack. Never thought of serving nori that way!
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
What a delicious snack and perfect for the holidays!
alyssa (everyday maven) says
My older son loves all things seaweed. I am going to make him a batch next week for his school lunches. He will freak!! 🙂