These Air Fryer Savory Herb Roasted Nuts are the snack I make when I want something that tastes like it came from a fancy nut shop but takes about ten minutes and costs a fraction of the price. A mix of almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pecans gets tossed in olive oil, fresh herbs, warming spices, and the secret ingredient that makes all the difference: nutritional yeast.

That one addition gives these nuts the deeply savory and almost cheesy flavor you taste in premium store bought seasoned nut mixes and you simply cannot replicate it without it.

What I love most about this recipe is how genuinely good for you it is. Mixed nuts are one of the best whole food sources of protein, healthy fats, and fiber which makes this snack as nutritious as it is delicious.

It is completely gluten free and works beautifully on a charcuterie board, in a bowl on the coffee table during game day, or packed into a small container for a snack on the go.

The air fryer does the heavy lifting in just a few minutes and once you have the technique down you will never buy store bought seasoned nuts again.

If you are looking for more easy air fryer recipes you might also like my Air Fryer Grilled Peaches, my Air Fryer Pesto Baby Potatoes, my Gluten Free Air Fryer Apple Fritters or my Air Fryer Spicy Roasted Peanuts.

You can find my air fryer recipes here: Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes

The Secret Ingredient: Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast is the ingredient that separates a good savory roasted nut from a great one. If you have ever wondered how store bought premium seasoned nuts get that deeply savory and almost cheesy flavor that makes them impossible to stop eating, nutritional yeast is the answer.

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast sold in flake or powder form. It is completely gluten free and has a naturally savory, nutty, and slightly cheesy flavor that adds incredible depth to anything it is added to. It is also a surprisingly good source of protein, B vitamins, and fiber which makes it a genuinely nutritious addition to an already healthy snack.

You can find nutritional yeast in the health food section of most grocery stores, at Whole Foods, and online. Bragg makes a widely available version that works perfectly in this recipe.

Why Mixed Nuts Are a High Protein High Fiber Snack

Mixed nuts are one of the best whole food sources of protein, healthy fats, and fiber you can keep on hand for snacking. A one ounce serving of mixed nuts typically provides five to six grams of protein and two to three grams of fiber depending on the specific mix.

• Almonds bring protein, fiber, and vitamin E. Cashews add protein, healthy monounsaturated fats, and minerals including magnesium and zinc. Walnuts are one of the richest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids and also provide protein and fiber. Pecans add healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants with a naturally buttery flavor that makes the finished mix taste more indulgent than it actually is.
• Together these nuts make a snack that is genuinely filling and nutritionally dense in a way that a packaged granola bar or cracker simply cannot replicate.

Which Nuts Work Best

Not all nuts roast at the same rate in the air fryer so understanding how each one behaves helps you get a perfectly golden batch without burning anything.

• Almonds are the most forgiving nut for air fryer roasting. They have a firm and dense texture that holds up well at higher temperatures and takes longer to brown than softer nuts. They are a reliable anchor for any mixed nut recipe.
• Cashews are creamy and slightly sweet and absorb savory seasonings beautifully. They roast faster than almonds so pay attention when the cook time is almost up since they can go from golden to overdone quickly.
• Walnuts have a naturally bitter edge that mellows significantly when roasted. The heat brings out a rich and complex flavor that raw walnuts do not have. They brown faster than almonds so check them at the earliest end of your cook time.
• Pecans are the most delicate nut in this mix. They are thin and naturally oily which means they caramelize and brown faster than any other nut here. They add a wonderful buttery richness to the finished mix but need the closest watching of the four.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Savory Herb Roasted Nuts

• Coat the nuts completely before they go into the basket. Add everything to a bowl and toss until every nut is fully covered in oil, herbs, spices, and nutritional yeast. This is the most important step. Nuts that are not fully coated will have uneven flavor and some will taste bland while others are intensely seasoned.
• Do not overcrowd the basket. The nuts need to sit in a single even layer so the hot air can circulate around each one. If you pile them up the ones on the bottom will steam rather than roast and you will end up with soft rather than crunchy nuts. Work in batches if needed.
• Shake the basket halfway through the cook time to move the nuts around and make sure all sides get equal exposure to the heat.
• Remove them immediately when done and pour them onto a baking sheet or into a wide bowl. They continue to cook from the residual heat of the air fryer basket so getting them out right away prevents overbrowning. They may look slightly pale when you first pour them out and that is fine. They will darken slightly and crisp up noticeably as they cool at room temperature.
• Let them cool completely before eating or storing. The herbs and nutritional yeast coating sets and crisps as the nuts cool and the flavors develop significantly in those first fifteen minutes after coming out of the air fryer.

Serving Suggestions

• On a charcuterie board. A small bowl of these nuts alongside your favorite gluten free crackers, cheeses, and cured meats makes a beautiful and impressive spread for entertaining.
• As a party snack. Set out a bowl during game day, holiday parties, or any gathering. They are one of those snacks that draws people in and keeps them coming back.
• On a salad. Sprinkle a small handful over a green salad or grain bowl for a savory and crunchy high protein topping.
• As a high protein snack. Store them in an airtight container and grab a small handful when you need a quick protein and fiber rich snack between meals. Far more satisfying than a processed snack bar and made with real whole food ingredients.
• As a gift. Pack them into a pretty mason jar with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade food gift for the holidays or any occasion.

Variations

• For a sweet and savory version add a drizzle of maple syrup and a teaspoon of cinnamon to the coating mixture before air frying.
• For a smoky version add a drop or two of liquid smoke and an extra teaspoon of cumin to the coating.
• For extra heat double the cayenne pepper and add a dash of your favorite gluten free hot sauce to the oil mixture before coating the nuts.
• Change the nut mix. Any combination of your favorite raw unsalted nuts works in this recipe. Macadamia nuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts are all excellent options that absorb the savory herb coating beautifully.

Storage Instructions

Store your savory herb roasted nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage keep them in the refrigerator for up to one month. The coating may soften slightly in the refrigerator so let them come to room temperature before serving for the best crunch.

More Recipes You Might Enjoy

I get a lot of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 40% off your first order!

If you make these Air Fryer Savory Herb Roasted Nuts I would love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out or tag me on Instagram so I can see your batch.

These are one of those snacks that is impossible to stop eating once you start so save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board so you always have it ready when you need a quick and easy high protein gluten free snack!

Ingredients

• Raw Cashews
• Raw Walnuts
• Raw Almonds
• Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Dried Crushed Rosemary
• Dried Thyme
• Ground Cumin
• Nutritional Yeast
• Sea Salt
• Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl add the cashews, walnuts, and almonds. Pour the olive oil and melted coconut oil over the nuts. Add the rosemary, thyme, cumin, nutritional yeast, sea salt and pepper. Mix the nuts until they are all well coated with oil and spices.

Pour the nut mixture into the basket of your air fryer. And spread evenly.

Air fry at 350 degrees for 6 minutes. At 3 minutes shake the basket so the nuts are evenly roasted.

Immediately pour the nuts onto a parchment lined baking sheet to cool. Spread them out so they don't stick together.

After the nuts are completely cooled you can transfer them to an air tight container for storage up to a week.

I buy my raw unsalted unroasted cashews in bulk from Costco which makes this one of the most affordable snacks I make. You can also find them at Thrive Market or in the bulk section of most natural grocery stores.

Once you start making your own roasted cashews at home you will never want to go back to store bought because you control exactly what goes on them.

No preservatives, no hidden gluten in the seasoning blend, and no ingredients you cannot pronounce. Just real food that tastes incredible and takes almost no effort to make.

If you are looking for more air fryer recipes try my Air Fryer Spicy Roasted Peanuts, Air Fryer Sweet and Salty Roasted Cashew Nuts, Air Fryer Savory Herb Roasted Nuts or my Gluten Free Air Fryer Chex Mix.

Here are more snack recipes: Gluten Free Snack Recipes

Why This Coating Makes These Cashews Different

• Most air fryer cashew recipes use only oil and salt. This recipe uses rice flour and nutritional yeast in addition to the oil and spices and the difference is significant.
• The rice flour acts as a binder that helps the spices and seasoning stick to the cashews with the oil. The nutritional yeast is what gives them the tangy flavor you taste in store bought nut mixtures.
• Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast with a naturally savory, nutty, and slightly cheesy flavor. It is completely gluten free and dairy free and adds depth to the salt and pepper seasoning that makes these cashews taste more complex and satisfying than a basic salt only version. You can leave it out if you do not have it on hand but the flavor will be noticeably simpler without it.
• Rice flour is a fine gluten free flour that coats each cashew with a very thin layer of starch. This starch layer helps the oil and seasonings adhere evenly and produces a slightly crispier exterior on the finished cashew. It is subtle but worth including.

Why You Should Use Raw Unsalted Cashews

• Always start with raw unsalted unroasted cashews for this recipe. Pre salted cashews will make the finished snack too salty since the coating in this recipe already includes sea salt. Pre roasted cashews are a problem too because they have already been cooked once and will burn in the air fryer before the coating has time to develop properly.
• Whole cashews work better than cashew pieces for this recipe. Pieces are smaller and thinner and will cook faster and more unevenly than whole nuts. If you only have pieces keep a very close eye on them and reduce the cook time by one to two minutes.
• I buy my raw organic cashews in bulk from Costco which makes this one of the most affordable snacks I make. Thrive Market is another great source and most natural grocery stores carry them in the bulk section.

Why Roasting Cashews Improves Their Flavor

Raw cashews have a mild and creamy flavor that is pleasant on its own but roasting them completely transforms what they taste like. The heat of the air fryer brings out a deeper nuttiness and a natural buttery sweetness in the cashew that you simply cannot get from eating them raw. The outside becomes golden and crispy while the inside stays rich and creamy.

The air fryer is the fastest and most consistent way to roast cashews at home. Six minutes at 350 degrees with a shake of the basket every two minutes produces perfectly golden cashews without standing over the stove or heating up the oven for a small batch.

Cashews Are a High Protein Snack

Cashews are one of the most nutritious snacks you can make at home. A one ounce serving provides about five grams of protein along with healthy fats, magnesium, copper, and zinc. The combination of protein and fat is genuinely satiating which makes a small handful much more filling than most processed snack foods.

For anyone working toward daily protein targets keeping a jar of these on the counter is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to add protein between meals without reaching for a packaged snack bar.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Cashews

• Use a high heat oil. Avocado oil is the best choice for this recipe because it has a very high smoke point and a completely neutral flavor that lets the salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast shine. Olive oil also works but has a lower smoke point so watch the cashews closely if you use it.
• Coat the cashews in the bowl before pouring them into the basket. Add the oil first and toss until every cashew is covered then add the rice flour, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper and toss again. Do not pour the dry ingredients directly onto the cashews in the air fryer basket since they will not distribute evenly.
• Spoon any remaining coating from the bowl over the cashews after you pour them into the basket. Do not leave that coating behind. Every bit of the rice flour and nutritional yeast mixture needs to make it onto the cashews for the best flavor.
• Shake the basket every two minutes during the six minute cook time so the cashews cook evenly on all sides and no single cashew sits in one position long enough to burn.
• Remove them from the basket immediately when the timer goes off. Pour them onto a parchment lined baking sheet to stop the cooking. They may look slightly pale when they first come out and that is completely normal. They will turn a beautiful light golden brown as they cool and the coating will crisp up significantly once they reach room temperature.

Variations

This recipe is easy to customize based on your flavor preferences.

• For a garlic version add half a teaspoon of garlic powder to the coating mixture for a savory and aromatic twist on the classic salt and pepper flavor.
• For a spicy version add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the coating alongside the black pepper for a subtle heat that pairs beautifully with the savory nutritional yeast.
• For a smoky version add half a teaspoon of smoked paprika for a deep and smoky flavor that makes these taste like something from a craft snack shop.
• For a sweet and savory version add a small drizzle of honey or maple syrup to the oil before coating the cashews. The sweetness balances the salt and pepper beautifully.

Oven Instructions

No air fryer? These salt and pepper cashews work beautifully in the oven as well.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Coat the cashews exactly as directed in the recipe. Spread them in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes stirring once halfway through. Watch them closely in the final few minutes since cashews can go from perfectly golden to burnt quickly. Remove immediately and spread on a cool baking sheet to stop the cooking. Let cool completely before serving or storing.

Storage Instructions

After the cashews have completely cooled store them in an airtight container. They can last for up to four weeks but we go through them much quicker than that. You can also store them in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life. Make sure the cashews are fully cooled before sealing the container since storing warm nuts traps steam and softens the coating.

If you make these Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Roasted Cashews I would love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out or tag me on Instagram so I can see your batch.

Once you start making your own roasted cashews at home you will never want to go back to store bought. Save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board so you always have it ready when you need a quick and easy gluten free snack!

Ingredients

• Raw Cashews
• Avocado Oil
• Brown Rice Flour
• Sea Salt
• Nutritional Yeast
• Ground Black Pepper
• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder

Instructions

Place cashews in a bowl. Pour oil over the nuts.

Mix together the flour and spices. Pour the dry ingredients over the nuts and stir thoroughly.

Pour nut mixture into air fryer basket and spoon any oil/spice mixture left in the bowl over them.

Cook at 350 degrees for 6 minutes. Open and shake the basket every 2 minutes so the nuts get cooked evenly.

Immediately remove the nuts from the air fryer and pour into a bowl to cool. The nuts will continue to cook in the bowl a little, so it's ok if they look a little pale. They will all be a light golden brown shortly.