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
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.
Susan
This sounds wonderful. I like all the ingredients, but I think I'd add the almonds at the end because I have never cared for the flavor of toasted almonds. Go figure.
Kirsten/Comfortably Domestic
Living in the Cherry Capital of the World, dried cherries are a staple in our house. I Todd them in everything! I bet that the cheeries as a nice bit of sweetness with a tart finish to compliment the curry.
leslie
Oh yes...this looks like the perfect grab and go healthy snack.
Stephanie @ Back for Seconds
Wow! Fast, easy, AND delicious? Perfect snack right here!
Rachel Cooks
Whoa! These look phenomenal -- I bet they are so flavorful.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
Cracking up - I literally have the largest stash of snacks in my car/diaper bag/ you name it! Between the two toddlers and me post-workout, we get a little feisty without snacks. 😉 And you know I'm all about tart Michigan cherries!! xoxo
Martha @ A Family Feast
I love the salty, spicy, sweet combination you've go going on this recipe! Sounds addictively delicious!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
Ah...cherries! I could nibble on this recipe all day long! I can't wait to try it - looks so delicious, Dara!
Anna | ANNAdventure.com
Oooo Dara these look awesome! I would have never thought of using curry as a seasoning for nuts. Yum!
Marla Meridith
Love this nut mix Dara!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
This looks like the perfect snack! Love dried cherries -- seems like everyone opts for dried cranberries but I love the cherry flavor! And curried nuts, hello! This has gotta be amazing.
Amy @Very Culinary
Oh boy. I'm going to make up a batch of this tomorrow. LOVE!
Nutmeg Nanny
Haha anytime I start getting a little cranky with my husband his first response is "are you hungry?" I totally get the hangry feeling 🙂 Love these curry spiced nuts too. It's the perfect snack to keep you from totally slipping into the full on hangry panic.
Millie | Add A Little
Looks delicious Dara - love the addition of sweet dried cherries!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life
What a great flavor combo!!! Those tart cherries can be used so many ways...but snacking on by handfuls in one of my favorites!!!
Dara
Thank you, Jocelyn! We love snacking on tart cherries too, particularly with a handful of raw almonds.
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons
So, spiced nuts are one of those recipes that should be really easy, but for whatever reason, I've totally bungled them THREE Thanksgivings in a row. I keep trying new recipes, and they kept flopping - turning out really gooey and sticky, not at all like a finger food. I think most of the recipes had sugar or brown sugar, which isn't really necessary, and was probably what was making it sticky. I love how your recipe gets all the sweetness it needs from the dried cherries! Pinning this for next Thanksgiving: attempt #4!
Dara
I've struggled with roasted nuts in the past too, mostly because I forget to watch them carefully, so end up with a burned mess. This version is so simple. It literally takes 8 minutes from start to finish, with no brown sugar to mess with!
Jenny Flake
Love these flavors so much! Great recipe Dara! xo
Dara
Thank you, Jenny! They are completely addictive.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Such a great idea! I love your spiced twist!
Dara
Thanks, Rachel! The slight spice of the curry was the perfect foil for the sweet/tart cherries.
Sandy+@+RE
Dara, I could eat this entire pan. Love the combination with cherries - perfect!
Dara
Sandy, I hear you! I had to put them in the garage so that I would stop eating them.
Terri A
these looks so good! I get my tart cherries at Costco. I love them. I can't wait to make this today.
Dara
Thanks, Terri! We often buy the tart cherries at Costco, too. I hope you enjoy this!