This savory nut mix is a great “back-pocket” recipe. You can pull it out for almost any occasion. Just place a bowl of these delicious keto nuts on the table and watch them disappear. Their salty, tangy and spicy flavor goes with almost anything: cocktails, low carb beer, cheeses, meat platters and veggie trays. I like to eat them as a midday snack.
THIS POST INCLUDES AFFILIATE LINKS TO SHARE THE THINGS I LOVE.
Nuts Make A Great Keto Snack
If you’re a nut lover, you’ll be happy to hear that nuts are a keto friendly food. Their small size makes them portable and convenient to enjoy anywhere. I slip a small bag of my favorite keto nuts into my purse on days I run errands - in case I miss lunch.
Nuts are nutritionally dense containing fats, protein and carbohydrates. Just a small amount keeps me full for hours. The downside? I love nuts so much that portion control can be an issue. Overeating even the most keto friendly nuts can blow my carb or calorie allotment for the day. Caution is the rule.
Best Nuts for Keto
Before I share the recipe for this snack mix, I want to talk about the best nuts for keto and low carb diets. Although must nuts are fine to eat, some are better than others. The best nuts for keto diets are those with a carb-to-fat-ratio that favors fat. A higher fat content generally means lower carbs.
Looking at the chart below. Pili nuts are the lowest carb nut, but also very high in fat and calories. That isn’t necessarily bad, but many people on low carb and keto diets need to watch calories for continued weight loss.
One of my favorite low carb choices is hulled pumpkin seeds. They have 1 net carb per ounce and 10 grams of protein. I bring them to the movie theater and skip the starchy and sugary treats at the vending counter.
NOTE: Cashews are the least keto friendly nut at 7.66 g net carbs per ounce!
BEST KETO NUTS & SEEDS PER 1 OUNCE SERVING
| Net Carbs | Fat Grams | Protein | Calories | |
| Pili Nuts | zero | 22.4 | 3.4 | 196 |
| Brazil Nuts | 1 | 19 | 4 | 190 |
| Pumpkin seeds | 1 | 13 | 10 | 170 |
| Pecans | 1.2 | 12.4 | 2.6 | 196 |
| Macadamia Nuts | 1.5 | 21.5 | 2.2 | 204 |
| Peanuts | 1.7 | 14.7 | 7.8 | 168 |
| Walnuts | 2 | 18.5 | 4.3 | 185 |
| Hazelnuts | 2 | 17 | 4 | 180 |
| Almonds | 2.3 | 14.4 | 6 | 164 |
| Pine Nuts | 2.7 | 19.4 | 3.9 | 191 |
| Sunflower Seeds | 2.8 | 14 | 6.5 | 159 |
Savory Keto Nuts Recipe– The Perfect Snack Mix
This keto nuts snack mix is inspired by the famous Chex Snack Mix – which is scrumptious, but not keto friendly! And since nuts aren’t as absorbent as cereal, it took me 5 batches (or 15 cups of nuts) to get the seasoning right.
INGREDIENTS: Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, sweetener, cayenne pepper, lemon juice packets, salt and black pepper.
The one ingredient you may not have is Real Lemon which is crystallized lemon juice in a packet. It's the most important ingredient, taking these keto nuts from bland to amazing. I find it at my local grocery store and also on Amazon. I use a packet here and there when I need to brighten the flavor a recipe without adding extra liquid.
Mixed nuts are best for this recipe. I use a mix of peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, and pumpkin seeds. Because peanuts are affordable and high in protein, I used more of them than other keto nuts. Feel free to use your favorites, but know that the macros will be slightly different.
NOTE: Pay attention to the procedure for this recipe. If the seasoning is added too soon, it will lose it’s potency. Add it towards the end for best flavor.
How to Store Nuts
Store nuts in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to a month. The natural oils they contain can become rancid in warm environments. I store my nuts in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, but they also do well in the freezer.
Try These Other Great Keto Nut Recipes
- Sugar free "Oatmeal Cookies" (made with almonds and no oats)
- Low Carb Chocolate Walnut Cake
- Low Carb Granola
- Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders
Savory Keto Nuts Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 3 cups mixed nuts (see below for what I used)*
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon Soy Sauce (Tamari soy sauce is gluten-free)
Seasoning Mix
- 2 packets True Lemon
- 1 teaspoon sugar free powdered sugar** (your favorite brand)
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ÂĽ teaspoon cayenne
- ÂĽ teaspoon salt
- â…› teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- *1 cup (4 oz) peanuts, ½ cup (2 oz) pecans, ½ cup (2 oz) walnuts, ½ cup (2 oz) almonds, ½ (2 oz) cup pumpkin seeds.** If you do not have sugar-free powdered sugar, put some of your favorite granulated erythritol based sweetener in an electric coffee grinder or in a food process and grind/process until it resembles powdered sugar in texture.
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 250 F and place rack in middle position. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with foil.
Method
- In a medium bowl, toss nuts with olive oil, Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce. Spread the nuts out on the sheet pan and bake for 40 minutes.
- Sprinkle the nuts with the seasoning and stir with a spatula or wooden spoon to distribute the seasoning. Return to the oven for 15 minutes or until the nuts are dry.
- Remove the nuts from the oven and adjust seasoning. (I sometimes add more salt)
- Cool completely before placing the snack mix in an air tight container and storing in a cool dry place. Enjoy within two weeks. Cook for an additional 15 minutes.
- Makes 3 cups. Serving Size: ÂĽ cup (1 oz/ 28 g) NET CARBS PER SERVING: 2 g
Lucy Royster
Oh my goodness l! I have made this twice now and the addition of the true lemon sets it over the top. My family has a strong love for my classic chex mix recipe and I’m trying to find a low carb alternative to replace its’ spot of honor as most loved holiday snack. This is a strong contender. The second time I made it it I changed one tiny detail and it made a huge difference. I added unsweetened coconut flakes!!! I got the thick curl ones not the thin type. The texture is fab and they soak up so much of the flavor! Thank you for the gift of this recipe. It’s top notch!
Terri Joy
This is a keeper! I used salted mixed nuts (without peanuts), so I didn't add any additional salt. I also forgot to get True Lemon, so I used the zest of half a lemon. Tastes just like chex mix!!!
Anna
Help i can't get True Lemon in time. How can I substitute it?
Kim Hardesty
You can leave it out, Anna, but it really adds a nice zing to the flavors and enhances them. Try the recipe again some time when you have it and see if you prefer it with like we did. Have a nice Sunday. -Kim
David
The snack mix is good. The lemon flavor added-to the mixed nuts.
Amanda
Gosh, these were good. I served them for football and they were gone before the game was over. I wasn't sure about the Tru Lemon, but loved the acidic flavor it gave. I couldn't find it at my grocery store so I bought it on Amazon. Thanks for the recipe.
Liz
This mix should come with a warning because I couldn't stop eating it. Lol. It's very good.
Steve
This is just the best keto snack mix! I make a bunch of this to keep on hand. When the munchies hit, this is my go-to snack. Love it!
Amanda
Thank you, I didn't have Worcestershire sauce or Peanuts. I used Macadamia Nuts, flax seed, and A1 sauce as substitutes. Turned out great
Kim Hardesty
I bet it was great with the A1 Steak Sauce because it's a little tangy. Thanks, Amanda. -Kim
Jackie
These are great. I used walnuts, pecans, almonds and macadamia nuts. The lemon added an extra punch
Thanks for the recipe
Daniel Falkenberry
Very Confusing. Orders and times of steps seem off. Do you have to bake wet then wait two weeks? Cook an additional 15 minutes after initial wet bake? Wait two weeks to dry bake? So we're doing a wet then a dry and then eating it within two weeks. Waiting two weeks to bake it again with dry seasoning doesn't make sense.
Kim Hardesty
Hi Daniel. I don't know what happened to the instructions and am so sorry about any confusion they caused. Thank you for letting me know there was a problem. I fixed the instructions and the recipe reads as I want it. Enjoy the nut mix. It's my husband's favorite. Be well. -Kim
Steve Parker, M.D.
I really appreciate that "print recipe" button. Ima try this recipe.
-Steve
Beth
Is there a substitute for the sugar-free powdered sugar? I have several types of sugar-free substitute except for the powdered. I hope something else will work. Thank you!
Kim Hardesty
Hi Beth. Just powder some of what you have and use that. Because there are 4 brands that people use, I just used the words "sugar free powdered sugar". You can use, Sukrin, Swerve, Lakanto, Besti. If you only have granulated, put it in an electric coffee grinder or in a food processor and process until it's powder. I do a larger batch and keep it handy for use in frosting and whipped cream. -Kim
Erica B
Hey Kim, lots of guest posts lately! The variety is interesting, but I do hope things are well with you. I made your chocolate walnut torte again recently. Such a great dessert! Thank you for your recipes. Hope you’re having a nice year so far.
Kim Hardesty
Hello Erica. Thank you for touching base! Yes, things are going well. I had people help me out as I was texting recipes out for an eCookbook. I think I have one more guest post coming up, then it's all me again. Lol. I'm so happy you like the chocolate walnut torte. I love that cake. Have a wonderful week! -Kim