Crunchy Nut Recipes

Greg DuPree

From upgraded trail mixes to candied almonds, these versatile nut recipes double as garnishes or simple snacks.

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Fruit-and-Nut Trail Mix

"At the restaurant, I used to take slices of bacon off trays, stuff them in a roll and eat that as a snack," says chef Jeremy Sewall, who has lost about 40 pounds. He now stashes healthy snacks, like this roasted nut mix, everywhere to help him resist other temptations.

Healthy Snack Recipes

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Cashew-Almond Dukka

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This nutty Egyptian spice blend from Christopher Bates at FLX Table in the Finger Lakes is our go-to garnish for roasted vegetables, rich braised meats and grain dishes. It's also great with olive oil-dipped bread.

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Waldorf Chicken Salad

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Chef Mark Sullivan brines poultry before roasting it, then tosses it with little gem lettuce, pickled grapes and candied walnuts. The total number of ingredients: 28. For the home cook, we streamlined the ingredient list to lower the cost: This recipe calls for about half the ingredients.

F&W's Guide to Affordable Cooking

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Spiced Cashew Brittle and Chocolate Crunch Bark

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Cayenne-spiked cashew brittle is delicious alongside crunchy chocolate bark.

Homemade Versions of Storebought Desserts

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Mom's Nutty Granola

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This granola recipe from Jessamyn Waldman's mother is more nutty than sweet. Says Waldman, "I love it because I'm not a sweet breakfast person myself."

More Granola Recipes

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Beet Salad with Candied Marcona Almonds

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Inspired by peanut brittle, Steve Corry candies marcona almonds to give his salad crunch.

Great Ideas for Beets

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Ginger-Spiced Pecans

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Pecan halves sautéed with butter, sugar, and ground ginger are positively addictive. Serve them with ice cream, a selection of cookies, or fruit desserts, or on their own after dessert as petit fours. They're quick to make and, presented in tins, are great holiday gifts. If you prepare the pecans more than two days ahead, add another half teaspoon of ginger, since the flavor dissipates over time.

Easy Food Gifts

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Almond-Crusted Chicken Wings

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Andy Nusser says these wings, coated with crunchy chopped almonds, are a favorite staff meal. He serves them with a superfast lemon aioli, a mix of store-bought mayonnaise, grated lemon zest and fresh lemon juice.

Best Chicken Wings in the U.S.

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Cauliflower Gratin with Manchego and Almond Sauce

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This outrageously rich sauce, flavored with salty, nutty Manchego, gets poured on sautéed cauliflower and baked until it's golden and bubbling.

More Gratin Recipes

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Orange-Cardamom Date Bars with a Nutty Crust

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The crunchy, almondy topping for these clever bars is loaded with vitamin E. The filling is chewy like caramel and is full of vitamin C from the orange.

Delicious Snack Bar Recipes

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Crunchy Almond-Crusted Duck Breasts with Chanterelle Salad

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Duck is often paired with something sweet, as in canard à l'orange. Jean-Georges Vongerichten tops it here with chopped sugar-coated almonds. The sugar burns slightly as the meat is broiled to form a bittersweet crust that pairs beautifully with the juicy richness of the duck.

More Recipes from Star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten

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Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

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Start the salad dressing in a skillet (no marinating involved), then finish it in a bowl with all the other ingredients.

More Green Salad Recipes

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Mixed Nuts with Crispy Herb and Garlic

Con Poulos

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To make the most addictive nuts for the holidays, Food & Wine’s Justin Chapple first toasts garlic, sage and rosemary in olive oil, then uses that fragrant oil to cook the nuts.

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Curry-Spiced Nut Bars

Greg DuPree

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Roasting nuts with curry powder enhances the flavor and aroma of both. Add the rice syrup while the nuts are still warm to soften the syrup for easier stirring.

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Crunchy Nut Recipes

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Fruit-and-Nut Trail Mix

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Cashew-Almond Dukka

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Waldorf Chicken Salad

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Spiced Cashew Brittle and Chocolate Crunch Bark

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Mom's Nutty Granola

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Beet Salad with Candied Marcona Almonds

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Ginger-Spiced Pecans

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Almond-Crusted Chicken Wings

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Cauliflower Gratin with Manchego and Almond Sauce

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Orange-Cardamom Date Bars with a Nutty Crust

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Crunchy Almond-Crusted Duck Breasts with Chanterelle Salad

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Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

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Mixed Nuts with Crispy Herb and Garlic

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Curry-Spiced Nut Bars

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