Homemade Baked Honey Nut Clusters

I love to keep a jar of these Homemade Honey Nut Clusters on hand. They’re SO good sprinkled on my oats in the morning or on my kale apple salad at dinnertime.

They also really satisfy my craving for a sweet-savory treat in the afternoon. And they’re always a hit served as part of a cheese or antipasto platter.

Clearly, I can eat these all day long!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Nuts are so good for you. And as long as you’re not eating a whole pound in one sitting, they’re pretty much a guilt-free snack.

These are slightly sweet, not heavily sugared like glazed nuts. They have just the right amount of salt and if you like, you can add some heat by using homemade hot honey. Plus, can we talk about how much better nut clusters are than individual nuts?! Kind of like granola clusters.

You can use any variety of nuts here, but I hate to play favorites. All nuts are good nuts in my book.

Which Nut is Healthiest?

Much like my sweet children, it’s hard to choose a favorite nut because each one has its own unique characteristics and health benefits.

Generally, a 1-ounce serving (a good handful) of any type of tree nut has about 160 calories, most of which come from heart-healthy unsaturated fat. Nuts are all pretty low in carbs and have about 2-4 grams of fiber. But when you look closely at their nutrient profiles, there are a few nutritional differences between different types of nuts.

Walnuts are especially high in polyunsaturated fats. In fact, they’re the only tree nut that’s a significant source of ALA, a plant source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fat. Eating more omega-3 fat is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, and less inflammation. That’s good if you have arthritis or any inflammatory conditions.

Almonds are significantly higher in calcium and vitamin E than all other tree nuts. If you’re looking for non-dairy calcium foods, don’t overlook almonds. They’re also a bit higher in fiber than other nuts, with 4 grams per 1-ounce serving. And almonds are slightly higher in protein.

Pecans are quite high in monounsaturated fats – the same kind of fat that’s in olive oil. Monounsaturated fats can help reduce your cholesterol. And speaking of cholesterol, pecans are also a source of plant sterols, which can reduce cholesterol, and antioxidants, which can prevent oxidative damage to your cells.

Cashews are highest in zinc (great for your immune system) and iron (essential for healthy red blood cells) compared to other tree nuts. They’re a bit higher in carbs than other nuts, with about 9 grams per 1-ounce serving. Most other nuts have 4-6 grams of carbs, but that’s still considered a low-carb snack.

Pistachios are packed with potassium. That’s an important mineral for better blood pressure control. They’re also a good source of antioxidants to keep your blood vessels and cells throughout your body happy and healthy. Pistachios are also higher in protein than most other nuts, with 6 grams per 1-ounce serving

Macadamias are highest in calories and fat (that’s why they taste so delicious and buttery!), but they’re also highest in cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fat.

Brazil nuts are hands down the winner for selenium. This antioxidant mineral plays an essential role in thyroid health. It’s especially important if you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Just one Brazil nut meets your daily selenium requirement.

Each type of nut has its health benefits, so I mix them up. That way you get a little bit of everything.