Honey Matcha Roasted Almonds + Recipe Contest!

This honey matcha roasted almonds recipe takes a common, healthy snack to the next level, with sweet, salty, and earthy flavors.

I just don’t understand when people say they don’t snack. I know everyone’s relationship with food is different, but so many snack foods are my absolute favorite things to eat–like crackers and cheese, fruit, veggies and hummus, yogurt and granola, popcorn, and nuts.

You definitely have to be careful when eating snack foods, though, because it’s easy to mindlessly eat and not really pay attention to how much you’re actually consuming. I’m guilty of opening a bag of veggie straws and before I know it I’ve almost reached the bottom. You have to be especially cautious of nuts, too, because they may be small, but they’re packed full of nutrients and calories.

One serving of almonds is about 1/4 cup of nuts, which is about 160 calories, 14 grams of heart-healthy unsaturated fat, and 6 grams of protein (source). Almonds are most definitely a great, healthy snack choice, but you just have to be aware of your portion sizes (Random fact: my mom and sister are both allergic to tree nuts–almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, etc. I would be DEVASTATED).

While I enjoy a handful of raw almonds, sometimes I can get bored with plain ones. That’s why I try to mix it up and either add the almonds to a trail mix with other nuts and dried fruit (and sometimes chocolate chips of course), or find a way to add some flavor, like with these honey matcha roasted almonds, or my maple pumpkin spice almonds posted last fall.

You may be thinking “what the heck is matcha?” It’s actually not as confusing as it sounds. Pronounced “MA-cha,” matcha is pretty much ground up green tea. Rather than steeping it like you would normal tea in a bag or infuser, matcha dissolves in water or milk. It is known for many health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, providing an energy boost without a caffeine crash, and stimulating the immune system (learn more here).

I was really excited to get word that Allie with Miss Allie’s Kitchen was working with Kiss Me Organics and Pure Taste Recipes to hold a recipe contest. You might remember I participated in a recipe contest with Kohana Coffee back in March? This contest is similar! I received some Kiss Me Organics matcha in the mail (which is 100% certified organic Japanese matcha), then I had to come up with a recipe, submit it, and have my friends, family, and followers vote for a chance to win $1,000 or other prizes.

I like matcha, but I’m not super familiar with it, so it was fun to get creative and come up with a recipe to incorporate this quality green tea. As I mentioned above, these honey matcha roasted almonds have some really different flavors that work together fantastically. The honey is sweet, the matcha is earthy, then the little bit of salt brings it all together. Plus the crunch of the almonds makes it the perfect snack.

If you haven’t tried matcha, I highly suggest you get some, whether it’s for a fun recipe like these almonds, or just to drink hot or iced. Unfortunately I didn’t win the contest, but thanks so much to everyone who voted ♥

Honey Matcha Roasted Almonds

From The Small Town Foodie at https://www.thesmalltownfoodie.com/honey-matcha-almonds/

http://www.thesmalltownfoodie.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/HoneyMatchaRoastedAlmonds3.png

Prep: 5m

Cook: 10m

Yield: Makes 4 servings

Total: 0h 15m

This honey matcha roasted almonds recipe takes a common, healthy snack to the next level, with sweet, salty, and earthy flavors.

You'll Need...

• 1 cup raw almonds
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon matcha (100% green tea powder, not a mix with added sugars)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Add raw almonds to baking sheet and roast for 5 minutes.
3. Remove from oven, add almonds to a medium bowl with honey, and mix, covering almonds evenly.
4. Add almonds back to parchment paper covered baking sheet and roast another 5 minutes, mixing halfway through.
5. Remove from oven and allow almonds to sit for 5 to 7 minutes, until they are cooled but still sticky.*
6. Add almonds to a separate, dry bowl and add matcha and salt. Toss until evenly coated.**
7. If you don't eat the almonds right away, store them in an airtight container immediately after they are cool.***

Additional Notes

*I take the piece of parchment paper with the almonds on top and lay it on a cooling rack, to help it cool faster.
**This gives it just a hint of salty flavor. Feel free to add more salt if you don't think it's salty enough!
***I suggest moving the almonds to a container, such as a jar with lid, as soon as they are cool, especially if you live in a humid area. If you let them sit out, the honey could get gooey and mix with the matcha, making it sticky and messy and not dusted with matcha like they're supposed to be. The almonds may stick together some in the container, but just give it a shake and they should come apart.

Generated with ♥︎ by Matcha Print

^ The tool I use to display my recipes is actually called “Matcha.” How perfect is that for this post?! 🙂

Pin this recipe: