October 22nd is National Nut Day and we are nuts about nuts! There are almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, ginko nuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, lichee nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts. There are also peanuts but did you know that peanuts are actually legumes? It’s true! It’s also true that cashews are actually fruits, pistachios are the seeds of a fruit, coconuts qualify as fruits, nuts and seeds and pine nuts come from pinecones.
Nuts are one of the healthiest foods we can eat. They are packed with fiber, healthy fats and nutrients. Pecans contain helpful antioxidants, almonds are filled with probiotics, and chestnuts give us lots of vitamin C. Learn more about the health benefits of nuts in 5 Health Benefits of Nuts, Raw Nuts and Seeds That Support Collagen Production in the Body, and Why You Should be Eating More Almonds and Walnuts.
Nuts are highly versatile. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts and snacks. They can be turned into nut butters, nut cheeses, and sauces. Take a look at 10 Creamy and Delicious Nut Butters You Can Make at Home, Tips and Tricks to Make Nut Cheeses Extra Creamy, and How to Make Rich, Creamy Sauces Without Dairy. Nuts can be used instead of bread crumbs to coat foods and give them a crispy texture. They can also be used to make healthy crusts for pies and tarts that make us feel better about indulging in desserts. Nuts can be used to make nut milk and even nut meat!
So for this National Nut Day, let’s try recipes that use nuts at every level – on the top, on the bottom and in the middle. Go Nuts with Our Favorite Nutty Dishes and then go even more nuts with these 20 recipes that take nuts to a whole other level.
1. Pistachio Almond Tofu
The next time you want breaded tofu, skip the bread crumbs and use nuts instead. Ground pistachios and almonds give this Pistachio Almond Tofu extra flavor and a delightful crunchy coating. You can have this nutty tofu as an entree for dinner, put it in a sandwich, or use it to top a salad – it’s super versatile!
2. Orange Beetroot Tartlets With Almond Fig Crust
You’ll go double nuts for these Orange Beetroot Tartlets with Almond Fig Crust because they’ve got nuts in two places. The crust is made with just almond flour and dried figs. The creamy filling has beets, oranges, pistachios, and cashews. These raw, vegan, and gluten-free treats are perfect for special occasion treats.
3. Nuts, Seeds and Stuff Burger
The name says it all – these Nuts, Seeds and Stuff Burgers are absolutely magical. Made with wild rice, sweet potato, tofu, walnuts, flaxseed, and sunflower seeds, these burgers stick together and do not crumble! That alone makes them a winner.
4. Brazil Nut Vegan Parmesan
Brazil nuts are the best source of selenium on the planet. If you miss dairy parmesan, this Brazil Nut Vegan Parmesan is a super easy recipe, quick to prepare and much better for you than dairy parmesan. It’s perfect for pizza, pasta, and salads.
5. Walnut ‘Taco Meat’
Walnuts are meaty and they make a perfect meaty substitute for tacos and other recipes. This Walnut “Taco Meat” is absolutely incredible. Put it on tortillas with some homemade salsa, cashew sour cream, and guacamole or make it an entirely raw meal and serve it on leaves of cabbage or lettuce.
6. No-Bake Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake
This No-Bake Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake is definitely a chocolate lover’s cherry cheesecake. The dark chocolate and cherry combination is already divine, but it somehow manages to get even better when it meets the cashew cream and hazelnut crust. Drooling enough yet?
7. Macadamia Crusted Tofu
Main courses can certainly be light, but sometimes you need a hearty dish that will really stick to your ribs like this Macadamia Crusted Tofu. Crunchy and nutritious macadamia nuts encrust marinated tofu without any grains or gluten, but plenty of flavor and protein. Serve it alongside some simple steamed greens or a bed of rice for a perfect, satisfying meal.
8. Caramel Pecan Rosemary Doughnuts
These Caramel Pecan Rosemary Doughnuts are a “grown up” version of the sticky, pink frosted ones you may remember eating as a child – only not so sweet and much better for you. These yeasted baked doughnuts are topped with date caramel, toasted pecans, and a scattering of fresh rosemary. The combination of flavors is so amazing, you’ll have trouble eating just one!
9. Espresso Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge
This Espresso Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge is amazing! It has coffee, chocolate, and hazelnuts all together in one delicious, gooey bite. Who could resist such a thing? Not us! And it couldn’t be easier to make.
10. Hazelnut Crusted Portobello Mushrooms
These Hazelnut Crusted Portobello Mushrooms look like they took hours to make, but they are actually super easy. They are decadent and indulgent and oh-so-good. While they make an excellent entree, they would also be perfect as a side dish or as little hors d’oeuvres.
11. Banana Toffee Pie
This Banana Toffee Pie is an homage to Costa Rica and its lovely banana trees. It contains a variety of natural sweeteners, including lucuma powder, a low-glycemic extract from the Peruvian fruit lucuma. The crust is made with Brazil nut flour and the creamy banana filling is made even more luscious with coconut cream and caramel.
12. Cardamom Pistachio Rose Energy Bites
These Cardamom Pistachio Rose Energy Bites are an amazing pick-me-up throughout the day. The flavor draws on that of the Middle East where pistachio baklava and rose Turkish delights are often found in pastry shops and markets. Their exotic, sweet and satisfying flavor comes from just a few simple ingredients: pistachios, cardamom, and rose water.
13. Almond Hazelnut Bars
Who says being half-baked is a bad thing? These Almond Hazelnut Bars are made half-baked and half-raw. Made with both the oven and a dehydrator, these bars are fluffy and delicious. They are fab on their own, but they are even better paired with a nice cup of tea.
14. Tomato and Chard Pesto Galette
Pesto is the best-o, and even more so when featured in this savory Tomato and Chard Pesto Galette. The pesto is made with both cashews and roasted walnuts for an extra nutty, creamy spread. It’s perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner, especially when served with a big green salad.
15. No-Bake Snickers Pie
The gluten-free, refined sugar-free, paleo, vegan, raw, ooey- gooey chocolatey caramel-y peanut butter-y Snickers Pie recipe you’ve always dreamt of has finally arrived. This pie is such a star – it’s super easy to make and it’s packed with fiber and good fats from the coconut and nuts. You can even eat a slice of this baby for a decadent breakfast.
16. Creamy Pecan Butter
Peanut butter is classic but this Creamy Pecan Butter is about to become your new favorite nut butter. It blends up incredibly well as it has a high content of healthy fats that once released create a luxurious buttery spread. The flavor is so good, you’ll want to add it to sandwiches, smoothies or have a spoonful for a nice healthy treat!
17. Savory Pancake Stack With Pine Nut Cream
Here’s a creative twist on pancakes. Instead of the usual sweet pancakes, this Savory Pancake Stack with Pine Nut Cream are made with chickpea flour and lots of veggies. The cream is made from artichokes, basil and pine nuts for a bright and tangy addition. This is an absolutely delicious meal you could have any time of day.
18. 5 Ingredient Vegan Almond Feta Cheese
If you miss feta cheese, you can have it again with only five ingredients and absolutely no cruelty. This Vegan Almond Feta Cheese uses raw almonds as the base. It’s so good, you’ll want to put it on everything. Salads with feta, chive feta cream cheese, sandwiches with feta – you get the point.
19. Mocha Crunch Pecan Butter Cups
Pecan butter is almost caramel flavored. It’s amazing, so silky and perfect for making nut butter cups. These Mocha Crunch Pecan Butter Cups not only have pecan butter but chocolate, coffee, peanuts, maple syrup, and crunchy pecans for a sinfully decadent combination.
20. Cherry Oats Squares With Macadamia Nut Icing and Blueberry Sauce
The name of the recipe might sound a little long but trust us, it’s a very simple yet delicious dessert. These Cherry Oats Squares have an amazing combination of cherries, oats and bananas baked into delicious and delightful squares. The macadamia nut icing and blueberry sauce just make an already great dessert out of this world!
However you like to use nuts, these recipes are sure to make your mouth water and your tummy happy. Put them on top, put them on the bottom and put them in the middle because the more nuts, the better!
Lead image source: No-Bake Snickers Pie
