Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (2024)

Recipes » Appetizers » Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts

by Brenda Score onJanuary 7, 2019 (updated February 16, 2024)

This Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts recipe is incredibly easy to make. The nuts are lightly spiced and beautifully fragrant with herbs, perfect for nibbling and gifting – a holiday favorite!

Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (1)

Spiced Nuts Recipe with Rosemary & Thyme

I wish I could bottle up the fragrance of these Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nutswhile they are roasting. It would make a heavenly candle scent! Warm and nutty, and embraced by fresh rosemary and thyme, these nuts are my kind of irresistible.

I’ve been making this spiced nuts recipe for years, gifting the nuts in small jars, with ribbons tied around the top. And I like to offer them as little nibbles before a holiday meal. They’re a welcome addition to any cheese tray. So many ways to enjoy!

This is one of those recipes where I’ve learned to make a double or triple batch, as everybody loves them and they simply go great with EVERYTHING. Enjoy!

Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (2)

What Inspired This Roasted Nuts Recipe

Many, many years ago, I was introduced to a roasted nuts recipe that quickly became a staple for my family. I found myself roasting a batch – or two or three – every single year during the holidays, and then randomly throughout the year.

The nuts make for an easy game day nibble, a beautiful hostess gift, or an extra special snack. That recipe was the inspiration for these rosemary nuts.

Just think how lovely it would be to serve these nuts for a holiday cocktail party. A frosty eggnog cocktailor hot toddy alongside a bowl of these beautiful party nuts…irresistible!

Or on a treats platter with homemade peppermint bark and soft, chewy ginger molasses cookies and our favorite chocolate peanut butter Ritz cookies. Doesn’t everybody like a little savory with their sweet?! These Christmas nuts are the perfect addition!

Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (3)

Ingredients

This is a super basic recipe. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Nuts – Use large, whole nuts for the best appearance and texture. I like to use equal amounts of cashews, pecans, and almonds – but you can use any nuts you like, in any proportion. Look for ones marked “roasted” if possible, and stay away from those marked “raw”. I usually buy my nuts at either Trader Joe’s or Fleet Farm…my parents and in-laws swear by the nuts at Fleet Farm, for both quality and price!
  • Olive oil – Just a bit, to coat the nuts and help everything stick when roasting
  • Fresh rosemary leaves – Oh, how I love fresh herbs! Such a lovely aroma and flavor!
  • Fresh thyme leaves
  • Cumin – This adds so much flavor, one of my favorites in the spice drawer.
  • Cayenne pepper – Just a touch, for a little hint of heat. Of course you could eliminate the cayenne or add more!
  • Sugar – The sweetness is a fun contrast with the earthy, salty flavors.
  • Salt & pepper

How to Make Spiced Nuts

It’s ultra easy to make a batch of these rosemary spiced nuts!

  1. Preheat oven to 300° F. Place nuts in a medium heatproof bowl.
  2. Pour oil into a small heavy saucepan and place over medium-low heat until just warm.
  3. Add rosemary and thyme, and stir until aromatic, about 1 minute. Take care to not let the oil get too hot and burn.
  4. Remove pan from heat and stir in cumin and cayenne pepper.
  5. Pour the flavored oil over the nuts and stir to coat evenly. Sprinkle with sugar, salt, and black pepper, and stir again.
  6. Transfer to ajelly roll pan and bake for about 15 minutes total, stirring after the first 10 minutes. (Smells SO GOOD!!!)
  7. Let cool. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (4)

I’ve been making these herby nuts for years now, and they’re always quick to disappear. The beauty of fresh herbs provides an earthy loveliness. Add to that a teensy bit of spice, and you’ve got yourself a whole lotta yum.

I recommend making a double (or even a triple) batch.

You won’t regret it.

Like this recipe? Save it to Pinterest!

Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (5)

Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (6)

Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts

Yield: 15 servings

prep time: 10 minutes mins

cook time: 15 minutes mins

total time: 25 minutes mins

This Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts recipe is incredibly easy to make. The nuts are lightly spiced and beautifully fragrant with herbs, perfect for nibbling and gifting – a holiday favorite!

Print

Ingredients

  • 3 cups large whole nuts – see note below
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300° F. Place nuts in a medium heatproof bowl.

  • Pour oil into a small heavy saucepan and place over medium-low heat until just warm. Do not let it get too hot – the oil will burn.

  • Add rosemary and thyme and stir until aromatic, about 1 minute.

  • Remove pan from heat and stir in cumin and cayenne pepper. Pour the flavored oil over the nuts and stir to coat evenly. Sprinkle with sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir again.

  • Transfer nuts to a jelly roll pan or a baking pan with sides. Bake for about 15 minutes total, stirring after the first 10 minutes.

  • Let cool. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Notes

Nuts: Use large, whole nuts for the best appearance and texture. I like to use equal amounts of cashews, pecans, and almonds – but you can use any nuts you like, in any proportion. Look for ones marked "roasted" if possible, and stay away from those marked "raw". I usually buy my nuts at either Trader Joe's or Fleet Farm…my parents and in-laws swear by the nuts at Fleet Farm, for both quality and price!

These nuts are great for including on cheese boards, and also for gifting. I like to package them in airtight canning jars and tie a ribbon around the top!

from a farmgirl's dabbles

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 183kcal Carbohydrates: 7g Protein: 5g Fat: 16g Saturated Fat: 3g Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g Sodium: 157mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.

Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!

© Brenda | A Farmgirl’s Dabbles

Cuisine: American

Course: Appetizers

This post was previously published in 2012. Some of the photographs and text were updated in 2019.

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89 comments on “Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts”

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  1. Christen LindungReply

    Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (7)
    I have made these spiced nuts two years in a row and they are always a hit!

  2. EvaReply

    No doubt these are amazing as the recipe states, but i made some adjustments based on comments and what I had on hand.
    I used salted roasted almonds, raw unsalted cashews, unsalted roasted pecans and unsalted roasted hazelnuts. Used italian seasoning instead of thyme (i was low), added a tsp sumac, skipped the extra salt, used maple syrup stead of sugar and doubled the cayenne, and lets just saw these did not last in my house at all. Nom, nom, nom.

  3. Lynn CareyReply

    A bit too salty for me, but I guess that slows down their disappearance. Delicious, and just the savory zing I wanted. I used walnuts and pecans, so, with rosemary & walnuts, this is brain function food. I omitted sugar for health reasons and learned to drizzle oil with herbs while stirring because the top walnuts caught much of the herbs in their crevices,
    Mahalo! Worth pulling out the whole nuts over a period of time for.

  4. MiaTReply

    Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (8)
    I struggled a bit to understand if I should use roasted unsalted or roasted salted nuts so I actually ended up using a mixture of the two just because that’s what I had. I did double the recipe and divided it into two pans, but I’m curious to know Brenda, if you put all of yours in one pan if you double the recipe. I ended up baking them separately as well just to make sure the heat was distributed around the pans. They turned out to taste good, but I’m guessing I did something wrong or different from others.

  5. KaraReply

    Oh my gosh these are delicious! I tried a different recipe last night that just didn’t do it for me. I am having trouble not eating these all before my party tonight because they are so darn good.

    • Brenda ScoreReply

      Hi Kara – I’m so glad you like! See why I often double or triple the recipe?!?! :)

  6. MinnerbugReply

    Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (9)
    I receive tons of requests for this recipe. Definitely can be a great gift for the holidays!

  7. Alice D Greely NelsonReply

    Love these nuts. Can they keep fresh for longer then 4 days if they are put in canning jars. Want to give them as gifts?

  8. MoReply

    Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (10)
    This is one of the best spiced nuts recipes I’ve ever found. It’s perfect, as is! The flavors are very delicious and oh-so interesting. It’s fun to watch people pop a few in their mouth, try to figure out what the ingredients are, then keep going back for more. They’re wonderfully addictive haha!
    Also, I’m always asked for the recipe when I bring these to parties. Thank you! :)

  9. Sharon L KimbleReply

    Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (11)
    L.O.V.E. these for Thanksgiving easy addition to my cheese board. They have become a must have!

  10. Louise EmmonsReply

    I always line a cookie pan with parchment paper to cook these. easier clean-up

  11. Tracey HarrisReply

    These nuts are scrumptious and make great gifts, but it’s not easy to give them away!! It’s also a great way to cook your way through the pantry, using up your spices and seasonings that sometimes sit around for years and don’t get used. I liked this recipe so much that I started an herb garden on my back deck just so I can make them when I want. You definitely want to use the fresh herbs to get the desired effect!

  12. NormaReply

    AMAZING!!! Second time I make them in a month. Whole family loves them. Thank you!

  13. JennyReply

    A tasty change from cinnamon spiced nuts—though nothing against those! The house smelled so good while cooking, too. Thanks for the recipe.

  14. Linda GardnerReply

    I made these for Christmas gifts, but they are so delicious, we are eating them all! Will be making more as they are absolute delicious, no need to alter the recipe. Thanks, Brenda!!

    • Brenda ScoreReply

      Yay!! So happy to hear this, Linda – thanks for coming back to leave a comment. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!

  15. Elizabeth EckmanReply

    Do you use raw or already roasted unsalted nuts?

    • JennReply

      I usually use raw but last time didn’t have any and used roasted. Didn’t notice any difference.

  16. MicheleReply

    Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (12)

  17. TracyReply

    This sounds great! Could i use dry herbs instead? If so, what’s the measurement?

Leave a Reply

Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts - Easy Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with rosemary and thyme? ›

Whole sprigs of thyme can add layers of flavor to sauces, beans, soups and stews (just remove before serving). Because rosemary is more assertive, try chopping the herb finely and mixing it with garlic, salt or lemon zest. Rosemary loves playing with fat, which is why it pairs well with roasted meats and olive oil.

How do you make herbs stick to nuts? ›

To get the spices to stick to the nuts, use egg whites, butter, coconut oil, olive oil or blanch the nuts in boiling water. Some recipes call for nuts to be fried in oil prior to seasoning, but this adds unnecessary fat – you can make them just a delicious without all the extra calories.

What does rosemary pair with? ›

Rosemary, an aromatic herb, adds flavor to a diverse range of dishes, including stews, salads, soups and casseroles. A fantastic complement to grains, potatoes, onions and mushrooms, rosemary delivers a delightful combination when paired with protein, such as lamb, poultry, beef, chicken, and fish.

What's the difference between thyme and rosemary? ›

They both have a strong flavor, but thyme is more pungent and has a slightly sweeter taste. Rosemary is more savory and has a slightly bitter taste. Both herbs can be used in a variety of dishes, but thyme is more commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine while rosemary is more popular in Italian and French cooking.

What not to mix with rosemary? ›

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners)

Rosemary may affect the blood's ability to clot. It could interfere with any blood-thinning drugs you are taking, including: Warfarin (Coumadin) Clopidogrel (Plavix)

Why did they stop making rosemary and thyme? ›

On 12 May 2006, ITV announced that the third series was the last, due to savings. Two stories were in preparation for shooting in Portugal when the ITV Network Centre decided to cancel plans for a fourth series. Carnival hopes that the show might someday be picked up again by another channel.

How do you get flavor to stick to nuts? ›

How do you get spices to stick to nuts? While some recipes rely on added oil or syrup to do the job, we utilize the binding power of egg white to adhere our spiced sugar to the cashews and almonds.

How do you get seasoning to stick to walnuts? ›

To ensure that the seasonings stick to the nuts, you can lightly coat the nuts with a small amount of oil or melted butter before adding the seasonings. This will help the seasonings adhere to the nuts and create a flavorful coating.

Does thyme and rosemary go together? ›

Thyme. Thyme has a sweet, nutty and lightly spicy flavour, making it great for marinades and most meat dishes. It goes well with these herbs: Basil, chives, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage and tarragon.

When should you not use rosemary? ›

Rosemary contains a chemical that is very similar to aspirin. This chemical may cause a reaction in people who are allergic to aspirin. Bleeding disorders: Rosemary might increase the risk of bleeding and bruising in people with bleeding disorders. Use cautiously.

What flavors compliment rosemary? ›

Discover plants that pair well with this flavor.
  • Toothache Plant Leaves. spicy.
  • Toothache Buttons. spicy.
  • Thyme (Orange) citrus. grassy. woody. ...
  • Summer Savory. savory. herbal. menthol. ...
  • Sage (Common) savory. herbal. menthol.
  • Mint (Pink Candypops) Flower. menthol. spicy.
  • Mint (Pink Candypops) menthol. spicy.
  • Mint (Peppermint) menthol. peppery.

Can I use dried rosemary and thyme instead of fresh? ›

A good ratio is 1 to 3. For example, if a recipe calls for 3 teaspoons of fresh rosemary, use 1 teaspoon of dried. Dried herbs tend to have less oils because they are dehydrated. However, those oils tend to be trapped deeper inside the herbs.

Can you eat rosemary and thyme raw? ›

Yes, rosemary leaves can be eaten raw. They have a strong, aromatic flavor, so it's best to use them sparingly when consuming them raw. You can add them to salads, sprinkle them over grilled meats, or even use them as a garnish for soups and stews.

Does thyme act like estrogen? ›

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Thyme might act like estrogen in the body. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use thyme. Surgery: Thyme might slow blood clotting.

Should you use rosemary and thyme together? ›

Thyme has a mild flavor, while rosemary is more pungent, and sage has a strong, earthy taste. Using these herbs together in a recipe can add depth and complexity to your dishes. These herbs have different shades of green foliage that can add interest to your garden.

Is rosemary and thyme a good combo? ›

Thyme. Thyme has a sweet, nutty and lightly spicy flavour, making it great for marinades and most meat dishes. It goes well with these herbs: Basil, chives, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage and tarragon.

How do you preserve fresh thyme and rosemary? ›

Wash the herbs (still on their branches), dry them thoroughly, strip the leaves from the branches, and put them in labeled plastic zipper-type freezer bags. With herbs such as rosemary and thyme, you don't even need to strip the leaves from the branches. Press out all the air, seal and freeze.

How long can you keep fresh rosemary and thyme? ›

The Quick Version
HerbHerb TypeAverage Lifespan
RosemaryHardy3 weeks
ThymeHardy2 weeks
SageHardy2 weeks
SavoryHardy2 weeks
8 more rows

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