Chai Spice Roasted Almonds with Homemade Chai Spice Mix

I can’t seem to eat enough almonds lately.

Crushed, roasted, raw, butter, it doesn’t matter. I’ll take it all.

Maybe it’s the manganese, vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, iron, or plant based protein that my body is so attracted to.

Whatever the case, I’ve been trying to get my paws on as much of it as possible.

Quick tip – if you’re eating as many nuts as I have been, or your have a compromised digestive system, it’s always a good idea to soak them for at least 12 hours before enjoying. This will make the flesh easier to breakdown and wont lead to digestive upsets.

Kevin had asked me to make him a chai latte with 1 minute vanilla whip a couple of days ago. The combination of these two recipes was a fantastic idea! After the concentrate was done and his drink poured, I sat snacking on a jar of almond butter while he shaved off the vanilla whipped topping layer by layer.

Gosh, that man takes a long time to eat things.

It wasn’t long before he asked me if I wanted a sip. Or, was it that I just sneaked in a couple of sips when he wasn’t looking? Minor detail if you ask me.

After my sips I took in another almond butter spoonful.

Chai + almonds.

How delicious?!

Any guesses on what I did next?

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Chai Spice Roasted Almonds

Vegan [option], Gluten free, Dairy free, Refined sugar free, Yeast free, Corn free, Grain free

Are you in love with chai as much as we are? Why just stop at the drink? Make these tasty roasted nuts that are soaked overnight to soften the affects on your digestion. Your tummy and taste buds will be smiling with joy!

Adapted from My Kitchen Addiction

Yield: 1.5 cup

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups whole almonds, soaked for 12 hours *see note
• 2 tbsp egg white
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup palm sugar
• 2 tsp chai spice mix (below)
• Pinch Himalayan rock salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 300F.  Line a baking sheet with a silicon mat or parchment paper and set aside.
2. If soaking the nuts, drain and rinse and allow to drip dry in a colander.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg white and vanilla extract until frothy, about 30 seconds.
4. Add the almonds to the whisked egg mixture and stir to evenly coat all of the almonds.
5. Add the palm sugar, chai spice mix and a pinch of salt. Toss until all of the almonds are covered.
6. Spread out on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes, rotating twice.
7. Remove from the oven and spread the almonds out on waxed paper or parchment paper to cool completely.  Store in an airtight container.

note: soaking the nuts is completely optional. I did it so that they were easier to digest. They will get sticky after a couple of days in the fridge just because they have more moisture than a dry nut would. They’re just as good sticky, but may not be your preference.

note: to make vegan, replace egg whites with 1 tbsp liquid sweetener like maple syrup, or 1 tbsp apple sauce.

View nutrition facts

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Homemade Chai Spice Mix

Vegan, Gluten free, Dairy free, Sugar free, Yeast free, Corn free, Grain free

Throw a little chai in everything from pancakes, waffles, and muffins to roasted nuts!

Ingredients

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
• pinch Himalayan rock salt

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in an air-tight container. Shake and use as a replacement for cinnamon and other spices in your favorite baked goods.

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You could throw 10-15 almonds in little treat bags and you have a nice take home present for your guests this holiday season. Last year, I did something similar and placed a little bag on each place setting. It was a nice way to warm up the table and give away a little gift to everyone.

Since making the spice mix, I’ve added it to smoothies, as a sprinkle on almond butter, and in Kevin’s waffles on Sunday morning. This stuff is sure to become a one of our Winter staples. It’s so easy to put together, tastes and smells exactly like chai!

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Speaking of winter and everything Christmas, the Winter issue of Calgary Herald HERS magazine was just published with an article contributed by yours truly, along with one of my favorite winter themed recipes, maple protein pancakes!

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You can check out the article by clicking on the image to learn what foods are best to consume to keep you and your family healthy during the Winter.

Tagged as: almonds, chai, christmas