Sweet & Salty Sesame Honey Roasted Cashews

Last week I went to Trader Joes to pick up a few things. Well, honestly I was passing some time and wanted to see what their new items were. I ended up swinging by the nuts section because we eat an insane amount of nuts ha! 🙂

I grabbed a bag of sweet sesame roasted cashews because I’ve been on such a sesame/tahini kick and I couldn’t pass them up. Well let me tell you! We ate them all. Within 24 hours. The went fast.

I immediately started brainstorming how I could recreate these sweet and salty roasted cashew nuts that make the perfect snack.

My recipe combines coconut sugar, butter, a sticky sweetener like honey, agave nectar or maple syrup for a perfect honey roasted coating. My recipe is unique from other honey roasted cashews because it incorporates sesame seeds into the mix which add so much flavor and texture to the snack!

If you love easy snack recipes, try these spiced nuts, or these roasted pumpkin seeds, or even these cinnamon roll bliss balls! I’m all about that snack life and prepping some on Sunday to have during the week. 

Why You’ll Love these Honey Roasted Cashews

Simple Ingredients. I love the simplicity of ingredients used in the recipe for honey roasted cashews! The combination of raw cashews, sesame seeds, coconut sugar, unsalted butter, honey (or alternatives like agave nectar or maple syrup), and salt creates a sweet and salty mix you won’t be able to stop thinking about.

So Addictive! Honey-roasted cashews have a reputation for being irresistibly addictive, rightfully so. The roasting process enhances the natural flavors of the cashews, and the combination of sweet and salty elements creates a satisfying taste that can be difficult to resist. The crunchiness of the sesame seeds and the caramelization of the sugars makes these cashews a go-to snack for everything from casual gatherings to movie nights.

Perfect for Topping Other Recipes. Beyond being a standalone snack, honey-roasted cashews offer versatility as a topping for other recipes. The sweet and savory profile of these cashews can complement a variety of dishes. For example, they make an excellent addition to salads, adding crunch and flavor contrast to fresh greens. Or, sprinkle them on top of yogurt or used as a garnish for desserts like ice cream or puddings.

Ingredients for Honey Roasted Cashews

Raw Cashews

How are we going to have a honey roasted cashew nut recipe without cashews?! Cashews provide a rich and creamy base to showcase the caramelized honey and toasted sesame flavor.

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and a subtle crunch to the cashews. I love that they add an additional flavor and texture that isn’t typically found in usual honey roasted cashew recipes.

Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar adds a natural sweetness to the recipe. It’ll create a sweet, glowwy caramel that will coat the cashews to make them extra sweet.

Unsalted Butter

Butter contributes richness and enhances the overall flavor. It’ll help create a glossy honey exterior for the cashew nuts.

Using unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe. We’ll add the saltiness back in later!

Honey, Agave Nectar, or Maple Syrup

Chose your favorite! I tend to go for agave nectar but you can use whatever you prefer!

Salt

Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness. It adds a savory element that complements the natural sweetness of the honey or alternative sweeteners.

How to Make Sesame Honey Roasted Cashews

Spread the cashews out on a lined baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes. 

Transfer the cashews to a large bowl and add the toasted sesame seeds

While the cashews are roasting, place the coconut sugar, butter, agave nectar in a small pot over low heat. Make sure not to set the heat too high because the coconut sugar burns easily (I’ve made this mistake!).

Whisk constantly until the ingredients form a caramel-like consistency.

Pour the melty caramel into the bowl over the cashews and sesame seeds.

Use a rubber spatula to mix until they’re combines and all coated.

Spread the coated cashews out again on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprinkle with your favorite flakey salt.

Allow the cashews to cool completely on the baking sheet before breaking them up and transferring to a jar for storage. 

Enjoy!! xo