Honey Roasted Nuts

Homemade honey roasted nuts in 15 minutes flat, and the microwave does all the work. No baking sheet, no watching the oven, no burnt edges. Just toss everything in a bowl, zap, stir, zap again, and spread them out to cool.

The honey and margarine melt together in the microwave and coat each nut in a sticky, sweet glaze. As the mixture cools on foil, that coating hardens into a thin, crunchy candy shell that’s impossible to stop eating.

Cinnamon and orange zest are the flavor boosters here. The cinnamon adds warmth and spice, while the orange zest brings a bright, citrusy note that lifts the sweetness and keeps the nuts from tasting one-note.

Kitchen Tips

• Stir at the halfway point. The nuts closest to the edges of the bowl cook faster in the microwave and can burn.
• Spread them in a single layer on foil to cool. Piled-up nuts will stick together in clumps (though that’s not always a bad thing).
• Let them cool completely before handling. The honey coating is molten hot right out of the microwave.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Humidity softens the coating.

Variations

• Use a mix of almonds, pecans, cashews, and walnuts for variety.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the cinnamon for a sweet-heat version.
• Package in small jars or bags for homemade holiday gifts.