Honey Sesame Cashews (Print Version)
Crunchy roasted cashews in a sweet honey sesame glaze, perfect for snacking or homemade gifts.
# What You'll Need:
→ Nuts
01 - 2 cups raw cashews
→ Glaze
02 - 1/4 cup honey
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
→ Coating
06 - 3 tablespoons sesame seeds (white or mixed)
07 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional, for extra crunch)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the honey and sea salt until well combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract if using.
03 - Place the raw cashews in a mixing bowl. Pour the honey-butter glaze over the cashews and toss thoroughly until every nut is evenly coated.
04 - Spread the coated cashews in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 10 minutes.
05 - Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the cashews and stir gently to coat evenly. Sprinkle with granulated sugar if using for extra crunch.
06 - Return the cashews to the oven and roast for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden and fragrant. Watch closely to avoid burning.
07 - Remove the cashews from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet. They will crisp up as they cool. Break apart any clusters that have formed.
08 - Transfer the cooled honey sesame cashews to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 1 week.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These cashews come together in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have sitting in your pantry.
- The combination of sticky honey glaze and nutty toasted sesame seeds creates a snack that is genuinely hard to stop eating once you start.
02 -
- These cashews will feel soft and sticky when they come out of the oven but they crisp up dramatically as they cool so do not overcook them trying to get crunch right away.
- Stirring them halfway through the second roast prevents the glaze from pooling and burning on one side.
03 -
- Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet for two minutes before adding them to deepen their flavor significantly.
- Pull the cashews from the oven when they look slightly underdone because they continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after you take them out.