Sweet ‘n Salty Nut Clusters Recipe (V, GF): an easy recipe for crunchy nut clusters, lightly glazed and bursting with salty ‘n sweet flavors. Made with healthy ingredients. Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo.
Can you believe it’s the middle of October already?!? You know what that means right? Prepare for ALL the chocolate to hit this ‘lil blog in a second. But before we get going on all of that… I thought I’d take a little fall-inspired chocolate break for… drumroll please… NUTS! You thought I was gonna say all things pumpkin, right?
Right?! Can you really tell me that these weren’t enough for you: gluten free vegan pumpkin bread, healthy pumpkin oatmeal muffins, pumpkin coffee cake (my fave), double chocolate pumpkin muffins (yaaaaas!!) and even a vegan pumpkin pie smoothie! Okay, if it’s not enough, I shall make a schedule for next year with even more pumpkin goodies on the calendar. 🙂
Meanwhile, every year, Erik and I set aside a few days—okaaaaay, fine, a week or two – to make treat baskets for the fam for Halloween, sometimes Thanksgiving (if we’re not all getting together in one location), and definitely Christmas. Needless to say, it’s a train-wreck of chaos, baking sheets every-which-where and chocolate drizzles all over everything.
Not just Erik’s face.
So this year, since I also know that y’all are gonna be in this type of jam soon, too, I thought it’d be the perfect time to start sharing some super easy & equally impressive edible gifts! Enter: my Sweet ‘n Salty Nut Clusters Recipe.
These friggin’ delish nut clusters come together in no time at all. You’ve got just a few minutes of prep, then you’re off to the couch, to cool off and hydrate while these babies bake in the oven.
Not to worry, I’ve tested them thoroughly for feedback from my best taste testers (my mom and my sister). 😉 Better yet, my little nephew, Dylan aka PB, LOVES them. And let me tell you, if I measured the value of my kitchen skills on whether or not this little sir liked everything I made for him… well, you’d be seeing a blank page or a 404 error right now instead of a fully-functional food blog. Ahem.
Let’s just say there may have been a love-filled fistfight or two between three generations of my fam as to who got the last cluster. 😉
Try these these sweet ‘n salty nut clusters and let me know what you think! I’m already brainstorming some ideas off of this recipe, but I wanna see how these go first. Meanwhile, we at Beaming Baker (Erik and I lol) are preparing for Holiday Central Madness in T-minus 5 seconds.
Are you ready to do ALL the holidays together with us? 🙂 …..(The umbrella on the beach is for the vacation we’ll need to take after all of this!)
Yeah! Now for the good stuff… allow me to tell you all about this Sweet ‘n Salty Nut Clusters Recipe. It’s:
- made with just 6 ingredients — and possibly less if you just use one kind of nut! 😉
- protein-rich and refined sugar-free
- vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo
- the perfect veganized version of honey nut clusters to add to your tasty vegan recipes box
- just the perfect balance of salty ‘n sweet
- great as a quick ‘n easy snack, or a fantastic gift
- … including these: vegan chocolate chip cookies, gluten free maple pecan pumpkin muffins, no bake chocolate peanut butter bars.
- made with the whole, simple, healthy ingredients you know and love
- truly so yummy paired with my Vegan Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino (oh yes, we are SO ready for Christmas!!)
- soon to be your favorite way to learn how to make nut clusters!
Are you ready to get your homemade gift on? Let’s do it! I’ll grab my big buckets of nuts (hehehehehehehehehe), you grab your appetite. It’s so much fun enjoying these kitchen adventures with you. I truly can’t wait to hear what you think. ‘Til then…
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
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. Did you make this recipe? Take a pic and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker and tag @beamingbaker. I would love to see it! .︎
If you enjoyed this Sweet ‘n Salty Nut Clusters Recipe, then you’ll just love these autumn-inspired healthy vegan gluten free nut recipes:
- Skillet-Roasted Maple Cinnamon Pecans
- Gluten Free Vegan Brownies
- Paleo Apple Pecan Coconut Crisp
- 4 Ingredient Oven-Roasted Paleo Candied Pecans
- just for fun: 4 Ingredient Gluten Free Soft Peanut Butter Cookies & Gluten Free Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sweet ‘n Salty Nut Clusters Recipe (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Healthy)
- Yield: about 20 clusters 1x
Description
Sweet ‘n Salty Nut Clusters Recipe (V, GF): an easy recipe for crunchy nut clusters, lightly glazed and bursting with salty ‘n sweet flavors. Made with healthy ingredients. Protein-Rich, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo, Clean Eating.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup almonds, roughly chopped
- ¾ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- ¾ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup finely ground, blanched almond flour*
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Topping: sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or greased foil. Set aside for later.
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl. Using a rubber spatula, fold until well mixed.
- Drop spoonfuls of mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, creating clusters with enough room in between each cluster to let air through.
- Bake for 16-22 minutes. Mine took 20 minutes. Clusters will crisp up while cooling. Sprinkle sea salt onto clusters.
- Place baking sheet on a cooling rack. Allow to cool for about 30 minutes, or until completely cooled. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
Inspired by my Homemade Chunky Paleo Granola with Clusters.
Try my 5 Ingredient Homemade KIND Nut Bars and my 4 Ingredient Healthy Homemade Vegan Gluten Free Granola.
Notes
– *You may substitute this with unblanched almond meal.
– Storage notes: Store in an airtight container for 1-2 months at room temperature.
- Category: Snacks, Protein-Rich, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo, Clean Eating
© beamingbaker.com. All content and images are protected by copyright. Please do not use my images or recipe without my permission. Please do not republish this recipe, instead, include a link to this post for the recipe.
SHOP THE RECIPE
Here are a few items I used in today’s recipe. 🙂
Cookie Sheet | Blanched Almond Flour | Maple Syrup | My Favorite Knife | Unbleached Parchment Paper | Cooling Rack | Stoneware Cake Stand (small)
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Looks wonderful, I was curious if corn syrup could be substituted for maple syrup?
Hm, haven’t tried it myself so I can’t say for sure. If you do give it a go, let me know how it turns out!
I tried this with a nutty trail mix I make and it worked out pretty well except the clusters are soft, even after cooling. What do I need to do to make them harder and stick together better? Will cooking longer do that?
Thanks, I like the simplicity of making these.
Hi Ricky, is there any baking or added oils in your nutty trail mix? Perhaps something along the process of making that trail mix added something to my recipe that wasn’t intended. It’s hard to say since I’m not right there with you. Also, if there are dried fruits in the trail mix, perhaps that added to the softness of the clusters. This recipe yields very crunchy, crispy clusters. I hope this helps!
I don’t add any oils or fruit. It’s just a mixture of nuts, seeds, coconut, and some cocoa nibs. Some ingredients are roasted and some are not. So the question is still the same. What can I do to make it crunchier? More or less syrup? More or less almond flour? More or less baking time? I don’t mind playing with it but it would be helpful to know the most likely things to try.
Just made them as a gift for my best friend. I had my husband taste them. He said it was the perfect gift. They taste like heaven. Thanks for sharing
What a sweet gift! 🙂 Homemade gifts are the best, aren’t they? It’s so wonderful to hear that you and your husband enjoyed my recipe. Happy holidays!
I made these this past weekend. Am having a hard time not keeping my hand out of the container. They are so good and addicting!!! YUM Thanks for the recipe!!
Yay!!! I’m so happy to hear that, Terry! These clusters are one of my personal favorites! Thanks for stopping by & letting me know. Enjoy!
Would coconut flour work as substitute for almond flour?
Hi Joy! Hm, I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure. Try reducing it by about 1 tablespoon and let me know how it goes! 🙂
Will do, just trying to use what I have in the pantry. Thank you.
Mine did not come out as clusters, but still just as amazing! Love the flavor.
Hi Elaine! For this recipe, the stacks you create are the clusters. 😉 So you’ll have to form them yourself in the “spoonful” step. Glad you enjoyed!
WOWSERS!!! These are soo good. Not eating refined sugar…. I have missed all those delicious butter toffee nuts, nut clusters, and anything remotely nutty and sweet. It’s been years and I still occasionally dream about them.
I couldn’t make this recipe fast enough! It hit the mark big time and I am sooo pleased that I can have these yummy nut clusters and they are just the perfect amount of sweetness. Even my man (who doesn’t usually like ‘my’ desserts), loved these. I have made many of your recipes because I like the natural real food ingredients you use and your sweetness level.
Thank you for sharing so many wonderful recipes.
This one is a huge blessing for a nut lover.
Oh, and I used soaked and dehydrated nuts (pecans, cashews and almond) and they worked perfectly.
Thank you!!!
★★★★★
Yay! . I am so happy to hear how much you enjoyed the clusters! I know, there’s really nothing quite as satisfying as some sweet + salty nuts. . Thank you for taking the time to share all these kind words with me!
what a great after school snack for the girls!
Yay!!! Hope y’all enjoy!
Awww I’m so in love with this recipes ❤❤ One of the best snack ever!!! Thanks for sharing this, Demeter .
– Natalie
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Yay! Thanks Natalie! .
I wouldn’t have thought to include almond flour, love this!
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It works so perfectly in these. Thanks Kimberly!
These are perfect for holiday gifts! So easy too!
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Agreed! Edible holiday gifts are totally the best! ..
This would be the perfect snack for my kid’s lunch box. Yum!
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Woohoo! I bet they’d love it! .
Great snack! Yum Yum Yum! Looks so vibrant and lovely! I can’t WAIT to try this! Thank you for this great recipe!
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Aw you’re welcome Chrissie! Thanks! ☺️
YUM! This is such a delicious and healthy snack option! Need to make soon!
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It totally is! Hope you enjoy it Jamielyn! 🙂
Hi! I have a difficulty finding maple syrup, so I usually use mollases or agave for baking or sweetening up cereal, etc. Will agave work in place of maple syrup in this recipe? I wouldn’t want it to change the desired texture of the cluster.
Hi Shiksha! Hm, not sure as I haven’t tried with either of them. I’d say try doing a mixture of both (since agave is a bit thinner and molasses is thicker). Let me know how it turns out!
Looks awesome
Can I replace the maple syrup with honey?
Thanks! 🙂 Yes, that should work. Enjoy! .
You had me at sweet and salty! These sound seriously addicting!
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Haha yess! Hope you enjoy them!
I love healthy snacks like this. So good and packed with nutrients. I will be making them soon 🙂
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That’s awesome to hear, Edyta! 🙂 Enjoy!
What a healthy, delicious snack! My son would love these packed in his lunch box – especially with the maple and cinnamon flavors – yum!
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Thank you! I can tell you, they’re kid-approved! 🙂 Hope y’all enjoy!
I would love to be a gifted some of these nut clusters. Sweet and salty flavor combination is the best!
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Right!!? I’m all about gifting them this holiday season!
What a great snack idea! Love the autumnal twist of them too. Very excited to make these very soon!
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Thanks Tania! Also, loving your use of “autumnal.” 😉
I would eat all of these they look fantastic! These sure look delicious and easy to make!
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Thanks Claudia!! They’re SO much fun to make! 🙂