Hello, fellow food enthusiasts! It’s Al here again, popping in to share a delightful snack recipe that has become an absolute favourite in my home. Today, we’re going to elevate your snack game with some Smoky Paprika-Spiced Roasted Almonds. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll find it hard to stop munching on them!
Now, I’ve always believed that the best snacks should not only taste fantastic but should also be wholesome and easy to make. These roasted almonds tick all the boxes! They’re packed with flavour, super easy to whip up, and they provide a much-needed crunchy, smoky kick that can easily satisfy those mid-afternoon cravings.
I remember the first time I made these for my wife during one of our weekend movie nights. The aroma of smoked paprika wafting through our home was simply irresistible, and when we finally tried them, her eyes lit up with delight. They’ve been a staple ever since!
### What You’ll Need
Before we dive into the method, let’s gather our ingredients. You’ll find that this recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly items that you probably already have on hand.
– 250 grams raw almonds
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
– 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for a little heat)
– 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
### Let’s Get Roasting!
1. **Preheat Your Oven**: Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This ensures that it’s nice and ready for our almonds.
2. **Mix the Seasoning**: In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, sea salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper if you’re using it. Mix well until you have a beautifully aromatic seasoning paste.
3. **Coat the Almonds**: Toss the raw almonds into the bowl with the seasoning paste, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. This is where those lovely smoky and spicy flavours come together.
4. **Spread and Roast**: Spread the seasoned almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop them into your preheated oven and roast for 15-20 minutes. Make sure to stir them halfway through to avoid any uneven roasting.
5. **Add Rosemary (if using)**: If you’re adding rosemary, sprinkle it over the almonds during the last 5 minutes of roasting. This adds an extra layer of flavour that’s simply divine.
6. **Cool and Enjoy**: Once roasted to perfection, remove the almonds from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. They’ll continue to crisp up as they cool, resulting in that perfect crunch.
7. **Store or Serve**: Once cooled, you can transfer your smoky, spicy almonds to an airtight container for storage – though if you’re anything like us, they won’t last long enough to need storing!
### Perfect for Any Occasion
What I love most about these Smoky Paprika-Spiced Roasted Almonds is their versatility. They’re perfect for snacking on during a movie night, adding to a cheese board when entertaining guests, or even packing into your lunchbox for an afternoon pick-me-up. The goodness of almonds combined with the aromatic flavours of smoked paprika and garlic is pure bliss.
Have you ever tried making seasoned nuts at home? If not, I can’t recommend it enough – it’s such a rewarding and tasty experience. Give these a go and let me know how you like them in the comments below.
Happy snacking, and until next time, keep those kitchens bustling!
Cheers,
Al
Ingredients
– 250 grams raw almonds
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
– 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
– 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, sea salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well to create a seasoning paste.
3. Add the raw almonds to the bowl, tossing them thoroughly to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
4. Spread the coated almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Roast the almonds in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even roasting. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
6. If using fresh rosemary, sprinkle it over the almonds during the last 5 minutes of roasting.
7. Once roasted, remove the almonds from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. The almonds will continue to crisp up as they cool.
8. Once cooled, transfer the almonds to an airtight container for storage or serve them immediately as a delicious snack.
