Hey friends! If you’re looking for a quick snack that’s crunchy, sweet, salty, and just a little bit spicy you’re in the right place. These spiced roasted cashews are one of my favorite things to make when I want something delicious and a little fancy, but without a lot of effort.
They’re super flavorful, thanks to garlic, rosemary, honey, and cayenne. And guess what? You only need a few simple ingredients and less than 15 minutes of cooking time. They’re perfect for holidays, parties, or just to munch on when you’re watching a movie. Let’s get started!
Method
Mix the Ingredients
First, grab a large mixing bowl. Add the cashews, oil, honey, chopped rosemary, salt, cayenne pepper, garlic, and a squeeze of lime juice into the bowl. Stir everything together with a spoon or spatula. Make sure the cashews are well coated with the mix. They should look shiny and sticky that’s how you know the flavors will stick during roasting. This step is important because it gives every cashew a little bit of everything sweet, salty, spicy, and herby!
Prepare the Air Fryer Basket
Now it’s time to get your air fryer ready. Tear off a piece of baking paper and place it at the bottom of your air fryer basket. Don’t try to cover the whole basket just lay it flat across the bottom. This helps keep the sticky honey mix from dripping and makes clean-up easier too.
Transfer and Spread the Cashews
Next, pour your coated cashews into the lined air fryer basket. Use your spoon to spread them out in a single layer. Try not to pile them up too much. If the cashews are stacked on top of each other, some might cook faster than others. It’s okay if a few overlap, but keep it as even as you can. If you’re making a big batch, it’s better to cook them in two rounds.
Air Fry with a Shake
Set your air fryer to 180°C (or 350°F) and cook the cashews for 8 to 10 minutes. After the first 4 to 5 minutes, pause the air fryer and shake the basket gently. This is super important! Shaking helps move the cashews around so every side gets roasted nicely. Then place the basket back in and let it finish cooking. Keep an eye on the time near the end, because cashews can brown quickly once they start roasting.
Cool and Enjoy
Once they look golden brown and smell amazing, take the cashews out of the air fryer. Be careful they’ll be hot! Let them cool on a plate or tray for a few minutes. As they cool, they’ll get even crunchier. And that’s it your spiced roasted cashews are ready to enjoy!
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Air fryer
- Baking paper
- Measuring spoons and cup
✨ Spiced Roasted Cashews
Cuisine: IndianDifficulty: Easy6
servings5
minutes10
minutes15
minutesIngredients
270g (about 2 cups) cashews
20ml oil (any light oil like olive or avocado works great)
20ml honey
1 sprig of fresh rosemary, chopped
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons garlic (fresh minced or powdered both work!)
¼ lime, juiced
Directions
- In a big bowl, add the cashews, oil, honey, rosemary, salt, cayenne, garlic, and lime juice.
- Mix it all together until the cashews are fully coated and shiny.
- Line your air fryer basket with baking paper (just enough to cover the bottom).
- Pour the cashews into the basket and spread them out a bit.
- Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes. Be sure to shake the basket halfway through so they roast evenly.
- Once they’re golden and toasty, take them out and let them cool before eating.
Notes
- Don’t skip shaking the basket! If you forget, some cashews might burn while others stay soft.
- Keep an eye on the time. Cashews can go from golden to burnt very fast.
- Don’t overload the air fryer roast in batches if needed so they cook evenly.
- Let them cool before storing. If you put them in a container too soon, the steam might make them soggy.
Serving Suggestions
- Pack them in small jars for holiday gifts.
- Serve them in a bowl for movie nights or game days.
- Sprinkle a few on top of salads for a tasty crunch.
- Add to lunch boxes for a sweet-and-savory surprise!
Fun Fact
Did you know cashews aren’t actually nuts? They’re seeds that grow at the bottom of a fruit called the cashew apple! Wild, right?
Conclusion
These spiced roasted cashews are one of those snacks that are hard to stop eating and I mean that in the best way! They’re sweet, savory, and have just enough heat to keep things interesting. With simple ingredients and quick prep, they’re a go-to recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
Happy snacking! 💫
