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Chocolate Cherry Pecan Snack Mix

Description

Chocolate glazed pecans are tossed with dried tart cherries, yogurt covered raisins, and a few pretzels to add saltiness to this snack mix. 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup pecan halves
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon water
  • 1 cup dried tart cherries
  • 1 cup small pretzels
  • 3/4 cup yogurt covered raisins

Instructions

  1. Whisk together egg white, brown sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt until well blended. Add about 1 tablespoon water to thin mixture slightly. Fold in pecan halves until well coated. Spread mixture onto parchment lined baking sheet.
  2. Bake at 325 degrees F. for about 15 to 20 minutes or until mixture well set. Stir pecan mixture several times during baking. Allow pecans to cool completely and transfer to a bowl. Mix in dried cherries, pretzels, and yogurt covered raisins.

Savory Spiced Pecan Energy Bites

Description

Prefer savory over sweet at snack time? These gluten-free Savory Spiced Pecan Energy Bites will provide sustaining fuel and wake up your taste buds with a spicy kick.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pecan pieces
  • 3/4 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, pulse the oats and pecans until it becomes a fine, almost a flour-like consistency.
  2. Then add the salt, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, tahini, honey, and Dijon mustard. Pulse until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
  3. Using a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon scoop out the mixture and shape into a ball. (Shape into a ball vs. rolling or the mixture will crumble.) Repeat with the remaining mixture.
  4. Store in the refrigerator.

Pecan Chickpea Cookie Dough Bites

Description

RDN Dawn Jackson Blatner provides us with a nutritious, bite-sized treat that is packed with flavor and perfect for snack time!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw pecan pieces
  • 15 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. To a blender or food processor add pecan pieces, chickpeas, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sea salt.
  2. Blend about 3-5 minutes, scraping down sides occasionally, until smooth & creamy.
  3. Fold in the dark chocolate chips.
  4. Form into 24 cookie dough balls. Eat as-is. No baking required!
    Note: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Pecan Cinnamon Roll Dough Bites

Description

Blogger Liz Moody makes nutritious snacking easy with this delicious recipe – Pecan Cinnamon Roll Dough Bites!

Ingredients

Filling Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pecan pieces
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
  • Pinch of salt

Dough Ingredients

  • 2 cups pecan pieces
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup oat flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

Instructions

  1. Add filling ingredients – pecan pieces, cinnamon, coconut sugar and salt – to a food processor and pulse a few times until the mixture resembles sand. Transfer the mixture to a bowl
  2. Add the 2 cups of pecan pieces from the dough to processor and process for 3-5 minutes, or until the consistency resembles nut butter
  3. Add remaining dough ingredients to the processor and process for 1-2 minutes, until well combined
  4. Roll dough gently into ping pong-sized balls. Then, press and roll into 3 inch sized balls
  5. Press the 3 inch dough into the filling so that one side is coated, then gently coil with that side facing in.
  6. Place bites on parchment-lined pan, pressing any parts that broke back into a ball shape.
  7. Place in freezer to cool. Bites can remain in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Optional: gently toast your pecan pieces at 325 F for 10 min or so, or until fragrant (this takes a bit more time but makes the rolls taste fresh from the oven).Optional: Top these bites with frosting! Mix together one personal sized container of vanilla yogurt with powdered sugar until it’s your desired sweetness. Drizzle on top.

Jerk-Spiced Pecans

Description

Blogger Liz Moody shares a delicious and nutritious 5-minute snack recipe that kicks up the flavor: Jerk-Spiced Pecans! 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw, halved pecans
  • 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Pinch nutmeg
  • Pinch cayenne
  • 3/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 3/4 teaspoon fine grain mineral salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Add the pecans, smoked paprika, allspice, cinnamon, cumin, nutmeg, and cayenne to a skillet.
  2. Turn heat to medium and toast for 1-2 minutes, until the spices are fragrant.
  3. Add the maple syrup, thyme, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder and stir well to coat, then cook for 2-3 more minutes, until the maple syrup has thickened.
  4. Pour onto parchment paper and space out so they’re not touching each other. They’ll harden as they cool.
  5. Store in a tightly sealed container at room temp for up to 5 days.

California Walnut Cream Alfredo Sauce

Description

This dairy-free white sauce gets it’s flavor from onion, garlic and nutritional yeast. Serve over fettucine, ravioli or any other desired pasta. Reserve water from cooking pasta as you’ll need it for this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pasta water, plus additional if necessary for thinning sauce
  • 1 cup California walnuts
  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Hot cooked pasta
  • Chopped California walnuts, toasted
  • Snipped or chopped fresh basil and finely grated lemon zest for garnish

Instructions

  1. Place walnuts, reserved pasta water, onion, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper and garlic in a blender and puree until smooth.
  2. Transfer to a sauté pan add desired pasta, tossing to coat and adding additional pasta water if needed to thin sauce.
  3. Plate pasta and garnish with walnuts, basil and lemon.

Recipe Tip: This pasta sauce is very versatile and may also be served stirred into rice or mashed potatoes.

Walnut Chia Overnight Oats

Description

Sweeten up your breakfast and take the stress out of your mornings by preparing these overnight oats the night before. The maple and vanilla are combined with oats and California Walnuts to give you a hearty and delicious breakfast on-the-go.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup chopped California walnuts
  • 1/3 cup chia seeds
  • 1/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Chopped California walnuts, assorted fresh berries (optional toppings)

Instructions

  1. Stir together all ingredients except toppings in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  2. Spoon into small bowls and top with additional walnuts and berries.

Apple Walnut Hand Pies

Description

These mini apple pies are filled with fresh apples and dried cranberries, making them a perfect holiday dessert. Cooking them in an air fryer makes the pastry crisp and flakey.

Ingredients

Filling

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 large Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and chopped
  • 2/3 cup chopped California walnuts
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons dried cranberries
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Crust

  • 1 box refrigerated pie dough
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped California walnuts
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Directions

  1. To prepare filling, melt butter in a large nonstick skillet. Add apples and cook for 10 minutes or until soft. Add walnuts, brown sugar, cranberries and cinnamon and cook for a few minutes more. Set aside to cool.
  2. Unroll each pie dough on a very lightly floured board and sprinkle with walnuts. Gather into a ball and knead several times to incorporate walnuts into dough.
  3. Roll into an 11-inch circle and cut into circles about 4 1/2-inches in diameter. Re-roll scraps and repeat to make 10 circles. Using your fingertips, coat the outside of each circle with water.
  4. Place about 1 1/2 tablespoons of apple mixture into the center of each pastry circle . Bring up 2 edges and pinch the edges to seal in the filling. Crimp firmly with a fork and coat with cooking spray.
  5. Preheat an air fryer set to 350°F for 3 minutes. Cook for 10 minutes or until pies are a light golden brown.
  6. Replace apples with 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced ripe pears and prepare as directed above, melting the butter before adding to the pears.

Strawberry Walnut Date Smoothie

Description

This smoothie gets its nutty flavor from California walnuts and is sweetened with fresh strawberries and dates.

ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups hulled, quartered strawberries
  • 1/2 cup California Walnuts
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or 1 5.3-oz. cup)
  • 1/2 cup walnut milk (may substitute dairy milk)
  • 3 pitted dates, coarsely chopped
  • Chopped California Walnuts (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a small blender or food processor and process until smooth.
  2. Garnish with additional walnuts, if desired.

Spiced Walnut Trail Mix

Description

When you’re on the go and need a pick-me-up, this sweet and savory trail mix is a perfect balance of flavors. Just prepare the walnuts and mix everything together. Transfer to a portable container of your choosing and you’re good to go!

Ingredients

Toasted Spiced Walnuts

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup California walnuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Trail Mix

  • 2 cups popcorn
  • 1 cup pretzels
  • 1/2 cup granola
  • 1/3 cup dried apricots
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add walnuts and stir well.
  2. Sprinkle curry, chili powder, cumin and chili flakes over walnuts and stir until walnuts are well coated. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until toasted. Season with salt and pepper and let cool.
  3. Place walnuts in a large bowl with all trail mix ingredients and toss well. Store in a tightly covered container. Take on the go in a mason jar or glass container.