Italian Herb Walnuts have many health benefits and are super tasty! Toasted herbed walnuts are versatile and can enhance various recipes.
These toasted walnuts with herbs are flavorful and make a wonderful healthy snack. I would say these walnuts are a “superfood” since they are good for your heart, brain, immune system, and tastebuds!
If you don’t already know, I absolutely love nuts, I am like a squirrel! They might actually be my favorite food. I can sit and eat a big bowl of nuts and really overdo it, so I try to find lots of ways to incorporate nuts into my recipes so I get my nut fix without going overboard. They are a great way to add nutrients to dishes, but they also add lots of flavor and texture to so many things. These walnuts are great in salads, especially a fall Pear Salad, a fresh summer Strawberry Spinach Salad, or a cozy Warm Spinach Salad for the colder months. They are also a wonderful addition to pasta, like this Sage Butter Ravioli or this Creamy Mushroom Pasta! I also used these walnuts to create my Savory Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe and my Red Pepper Sauce Recipe. So, make a big batch of these Italian Herb Walnuts and enjoy!
Italian Herb Walnuts Health Benefits
Italian Herb Walnuts have so many health benefits, and not just from the walnuts. The herbs have lots of health benefits and medicinal properties as well.
Walnut Health Benefits
Walnuts provide healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Walnuts are higher in omega-3 fatty acids than any other nut. They are also a great source of manganese as well as copper, folic acid, phosphorus, vitamin E, iron, calcium, sodium, and more B vitamins.
Walnuts are the best nut for brain health due to their high omega-3 content. Walnuts are also associated with lower rates of heart disease and eating walnuts daily has been shown to lower bad cholesterol. In addition, they are also good for skin health due to their high antioxidant and vitamin content. So, let’s hear it for the small but mighty walnut!
Italian Herb Health Benefits
The Italian herbs that I used are basil, rosemary, sage, and thyme, which all have health benefits as well. I used dried herbs, which are more concentrated in nutrients.
- Basil – I used sweet basil since walnuts can be a little bitter. Sweet basil is filled with antioxidants and has both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help maintain skin health, boost digestion, detoxify the body, and more.
- Rosemary – I used crushed rosemary, so it wasn’t too “twiggy”. Also filled with antioxidants, Rosemary may help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation. Research has shown that rosemary may be good for your brain. Just the scent of rosemary has been linked to relieving stress and improving mood.
- Sage – I used rubbed sage since it clings to the walnuts better. Sage is high in antioxidants, aiding brain function and lowering blood sugar.
- Thyme – Thyme provides numerous health benefits as well. It is high in vitamin A and vitamin C, and it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help fight infections and acne, provide respiratory support, and more.
How to make Italian Herb Toasted Walnuts
To make Italian Herb Toasted Walnuts, first, preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, and salt to a small bowl and stir to combine, then set aside.
Add the walnuts to the prepared baking sheet, then pour the olive oil over the nuts and stir until the nuts are all completely coated. Sprinkle with the herb mixture and stir to coat. Spread the nuts into a single layer on the baking sheet.
Place the baking sheet onto the center rack of your preheated oven and bake for 12 – 15 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, or until they are cooked to your liking.
Once finished, remove the walnuts from the oven and allow them to cool for at least 10 minutes. Nuts get crunchier once they have cooled completely. Sprinkle with extra salt if desired.
Storage: I store my nuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator so that they stay fresher longer.
Italian Herb Walnuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups walnuts - raw walnut halves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt - add more to taste.
- 1/2 teaspoon basil - I use sweet basil.
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary - I use crushed rosemary.
- 1/2 teaspoon sage - I use rubbed sage.
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, and salt to a small bowl and stir to combine, then set aside.
- Add the walnuts to the prepared baking sheet, then pour the olive oil over the nuts and stir until the nuts are all completely coated. Sprinkle with the herb mixture and stir to coat. Spread the nuts into a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet onto the center rack of your preheated oven and bake for 12 - 15 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, or until they are cooked to your liking.
- Remove the nuts from the oven and allow them to cool for at least 10 minutes. They get crunchier once they have cooled completely.
Notes
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More Recipes with Nuts
- Garlic Roasted Almonds
- Almond Flax Waffles
- Maple Bourbon Pecans
- Cinnamon Honey Nut Granola
- Dry Roasted Almonds
- Sage Butter Ravioli
- Basil Spinach Pesto
- Pear Salad with Balsamic
- Romesco Sauce
- Vegan Pad Thai
- Banana Nut Bread
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Baked Pears with Honey Walnut Goat Cheese
- Warm Spinach Salad
- Spiced Rum Glazed Nuts
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