Everyone can agree that nuts, on their own, are a healthy, relatively guilt-free snack. However, for how long can one rely on a simple handful of unadulterated pecan and almonds to satisfy a 3:00 PM hunger pang? I am sure there are people out there who never tire of the simple pleasure of plain old raw nuts, but I am not one of those people.
The good news is that, with very few ingredients added to those nuts, and with a mere 10 minutes of oven time, your wholesome, late afternoon pick-me-up can be dressed up into something that, while still healthy, also boasts the added benefit of being incredibly delicious.
Four ingredients: nuts, honey, rosemary, and sea salt. If you are feeling like you need a bit more of a kick, a hefty pinch of cayenne pepper is always a welcome addition.
Your 3:00 PM snack is now so much more than a mere answer to your growling stomach. It’s mildly sweet, savory, and salty, and it’s a great way to make sure that a healthy snack never wears out its welcome.
Savory, Salty, & Sweet Nuts
1-1.5 cups of assorted nuts
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons of honey
1/8-1/4 teaspoons flaky sea salt (depending on how salty you like things)
Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper or ground chipotle pepper
Roast nuts in a 350 degree oven for roughly 7-10 minutes (enough to color the nuts, but not brown them entirely), then set them aside while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Heat honey in a saucepan over medium-high heat, just until it begins to boil (this will take very little time, so watch it carefully). Immediately remove saucepan from heat, then add in the nuts, rosemary, and salt (and, if using, cayenne or chipotle). Toss with a heatproof spoon or spatula until evenly coated. Remove from saucepan and allow to cool before eating. The nuts are fabulous when they are cooled until only slightly warm, but they can also be enjoyed as a crispier snack when they have cooled entirely.
Savory Salty Sweet 
This is brilliant. And so simple even I might be able to cook it. Delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Four ingredients of genius. Looks sooooo good.
Looks Delicious! Thanks For Sharing!
Ooooohhh… I love nuts AND I love rosemary. And I never dreamed of putting them together. I’ll be trying this out. Thanks for the great recipe!
This is so cool, I was just staring at our bowl of leftover packs of trail mix my wonderful hubby made for christmas for our friends, and I am one of those people who LOVE ‘plain old’ nuts, but…I have been eating them plain for what seems like forever…
So thank you, can’t wait to try them with the new shoots of rosemary in the garden.
Have fun with your blog, I love it already.
Aloha,
Holle
That looks delicious! I adore making flavored nuts… my girlfriend can eat plain nuts all day long but I prefer a little kick to mine. 😉 Also I’m thinking I’d love to eat these broken up on top of a salad… yum!
This looks so yummy! I would have never thought of the rosemary to season! Ingenius! Can’t wait to try it!
Blessings,
Laurie
Thanks so much for reading, you guys. I hope you try out the recipe and enjoy it!
Yu-um! That looks super good! I can’t wait to try it out. The photos are cool too. You’re lucky to have that type of stove : )
Found your blog via Piddix. You did a great job with the photos. Recipe sounds yummy.
Found you on piddax – great recipe! Lots of luck and continued success!
It’s me again, wanted to tell you I also found you through wonderful Piddix.
Aloha,
Holle
Noho Nani Mai
Found your wonderful site on wonderful Piddix. I love them both.
I love your new kitchen..I would simply adore startign a blog of my own, but it intimidates me, so I read others..Wonderful, keep it up. I love Piddix as well.
regards
Patricia
This is a fabulous site! I will come back often to see what you have next to share =)
Dear Elizabeth,
Brilliant! Wish you a great success.
aunt Achilla