These curry spiced nuts will take you 7 minutes from start to finish. The tart cherries add wonderful flavor and health benefits to this tasty snack! Thank you to the Cherry Marketing Institute for helping me to share this recipe with you.
When I was a kid, it didn’t take long for my mum to discover that she needed to carry a stash of snacks in her purse at all times, for both my Dad and me. If we were out and about without snacks and my Dad and I got hungry…watch out! Down went the blood sugar and out came the talons. We are feisty, unpleasant creatures when we are hungry.
To be honest, things haven’t changed much, but I learned over the years to simply keep quiet when I am hungry, otherwise I am bound to say something regrettable. My poor family knows to stay out of the way when they see the wild look of hunger in my eyes and, funnily enough, my husband has taken to stashing snacks in the car. Wise man
For most of my snacks, I try to work in a bit of fiber and a bit of protein to keep me going until the next meal. These curry spiced nuts with dried cherries have the perfect balance of both, and the mixture of savory spices and tart cherries satisfies more than junk food every could.
It so happens that February is both National Cherry Month, as well as National Snack Food Month. Since I dive into my stash of tart cherries between meals more times than I can count, that seems like kismet. And that tart flavor pairs so well with both savory and sweet ingredients, making dried cherries a very versatile ingredient. If you need another reason to add them to your snacking repertoire, tart cherries contain anthocyanins, which are flavonoids that have been linked to a number of health benefits.
The beauty of this recipe, besides the flavors and health benefits, is that it comes together in less than 10 minutes. Rather than roasting the nuts in the oven, I toasted them in a cast iron skillet with a little olive oil and some curry spices. The aroma is unbelievable and the nuts take on a wonderful toasty flavor. Stir in the dried cherries at the end and let the mixture cool before diving in. The flavors will intensify as the nuts cool.
Tart cherries can be found in well-stocked grocery stores, as well as health food stores, such as Whole Foods. We always have tart cherries available in at least two forms in our house, and we use them daily on top of cereal and in baked oatmeal.
Other healthy recipes with tart cherries:
Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal with Tart Cherries & Pepitas
Grilled Endive with Pistachios, Dried Cherries & Feta Cheese
Printable Recipe
Curry Spiced Nuts with Dried Cherries
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 cup raw almonds
- ½ cup raw cashews
- ½ cup raw pepitas
- 2 ½ teaspoons curry powder
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup dried tart cherries
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet.
- Add the almonds, cashews and pepitas, then stir in the curry powder, cumin and salt.
- Toast the nuts for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the dried cherries and let the mixture cool. Serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Cherry Marketing Institute. All opinions are my own. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Terry Miller
This recipe was right up my alley. I could eat curry every day and I'm looking to up my protein intake and keep healthy snacks on hand. I'm a single person and didn't want to go out and buy several pounds of nuts, but I discovered that the Sprouts grocery store chain sells raw nuts in bulk. Also, my local Kroger sells the Simple Truth Organic brand of dried tart cherries and they were less expensive than the Sprouts brand, plus they were already in my cabinet. This is a winner for me and something I plan to keep on hand.
Barbara T
Yum, these spiced sound wonderfully good. Please put a spoon in that bowl so no fingers have to go in. I put a spoon in dip bowls, too. Anyone else fussy like that?
Erika K
I love this recipe and I've made it a few times. I do feel like it's a little powdery, so I added a little dollop of pure maple syrup to the nuts and it makes the spices stick better without getting everything sticky. I've also added shredded coconut, which is delicious. My two little boys love this mix-- it never lasts long in our house!
Carla
Funny I'm reading your post right now because all I can think about is how I could use an afternoon snack right about now. I need to make these spiced nuts with cherries then keep them in my purse for moments like today when I'm working away from home!
Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen
This sounds fantastic and so full of vibrant flavors!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen
The hubby loves spiced nuts! I bet he' really enjoy them with the cherries, what an interesting combination!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
We're headed to Disney soon and I think that this would be the perfect snack for the road! I'll have to make some before we leave and package them up for the trip!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
I had a reputation at work for being the gal with the snacks in her bag! I learned! This is something I can't wait to make! Love the cherries savory spices and lots of crunch - yum!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
I love all things curry, and I like the idea of cherries to sweeten up this spiced nut mix!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I have always been that way, and my daughter too. I always have nuts and granola bars in my purse. And now I want this mix because it's so pretty!
Aggie
I'm craving these cherries and nuts!! Love this Dara!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen
Dara, I love snacks like this! And the curry flavor is definitely right up my alley. I am totally pinning because I have to try these! What a great recipe!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious
oh wow - this sounds ridiculously good! I love those tart cherries against the earthy curry. very, very nice!
Jeanine
Picture perfect, Dara! I'd love to have that on hand for my afternoon snack.
Heather | girlichef
Spiced nuts are a major weakness of mine, and then you went and combined them with dried cherries (my fave fruit). Amazing snack mix!
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer
This looks like the perfect healthy to go snack for me! I need this in my life ASAP!
The Food Hunter
I love that you used a cast iron pan to toast these. I can't wait to try it.