With the close of college football quickly approaching I know we here at ONK will be doing little else than eating snack foods on the weekends while parked in front of a college game with a beer (we are a simple people). As easy as it is to buy snack foods, you can cut a ton of chemicals by making your own. Bar nuts is a great place to start, because they are very easy. It is really hard to screw them up. You can cut the chemicals and salt but double the taste. These nuts will impress any guest they are tasty and they look great.

We are lucky and have three small local companies that make really great roasted, shelled nuts at a good price. I also know what the grocery store charges and how hard it can be to find unsalted nut mixes. If you are having trouble try Peterson’s nuts. Their nuts are great and they ship.

Cinnamon Bar Nuts

• 1 pound mixed unsalted roasted nuts
• 2 egg whites
• a splash of water
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. In a shallow bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, and salt, and set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and water for about 30 seconds with a hand whisk. Pour in the nuts and stir to coat them well. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the coated nuts into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Coat the nuts well. Transfer the nuts onto a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper, trying to separate the nuts as much as possible. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Allow nuts to cool enough to not burn your tongue before eating (it will be difficult).

Savory Bar Nuts

• 1 pound mixed unsalted roasted nuts
• 2 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 2 Tablespoons turbinado sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary minced
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 1/2 Tablespoon salt

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. In a large mixing bowl coat the nuts in melted butter. Add the remaining ingredients and stir the nuts until well coated. Spread the nuts on a baking sheet covered in parchment and bake for 25-30 minutes.