The Best Nuts for Snacking
From salted, roasted variety packs to more specialty options like macadamia and Brazil, these are the products we’re nuts about.
In China, the pistachio is known as the “happy nut” due to the smiley shape its two shell halves make. Macadamia nuts are packed with monounsaturated fats (aka the good kind), and Brazil nuts are known for their antioxidant properties. And did you know that walnuts have omega-3 fatty acids (yep, like the kind salmon has)? As if these weren’t reason enough to love nuts, they also happen to taste wonderful and keep us full—and like the best things in life, there’s a little something for everyone.
Planters
Need a midday pick-me-up? The beloved, monocled Mr. Peanut is here, as ever, to save the day. Ideal for legume lovers (that’s right, peanuts aren’t technically nuts), this eclectic 36-pack comes with single-portion bags of salted peanuts, honey-roasted peanuts, and, for variety, salted cashews. Bonus: This option happens to be kosher.
Planters
We have “nut” (heh, heh) even begun to scratch the surface of salted, roasted nuts. If you’re looking beyond just peanuts, then Planters Mixed Nuts are a solid option, as the mix contains a generous ratio of almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and pecans to peanuts. Did we mention that this can holds three pounds of nuts? Well, this can holds three pounds of nuts. For the sodium-averse, Planters makes a “premium” unsalted blend, as well.
MacFarms
Dry-roasted with sea salt, these Hawaiian macadamia nuts are perfect for snacking, though there’s no reason you shouldn’t also toss a handful into your cookie dough (white chocolate chips, too, while you’re at it). The salt from the nuts will balance out the dough’s sweetness, bringing a new dimension to the end result.
True California
The joy of these sage-toned pistachios from California? They’re natural and unadulterated. This means no salt, which also means that you can really appreciate the nuts’ rich, buttery flavor, tabula rasa. So crack away—these babies are shell-on, making them especially fun to eat while sitting in front of the television.
Blue Diamond
Almond lovers, rejoice! Blue Diamond makes a fan-favorite almond that’s roasted and lightly salted. Fun fact: They keep you full, too. So snack to your heart’s content, or use this protein-loaded nut in your favorite recipes, from salads and trail mixes to cookies, cakes, and more (you could even blitz them and use as a savory breading for chicken or fish).
I’m a Nut
Large, meaty, and satisfyingly crisp, Brazil nuts are the king of tree nuts, and a key ingredient in the beloved bar nuts at New York City’s Union Square Cafe (food writers Nigella Lawson and Deb Perelman are fans). These, from I’m a Nut, come raw—ready to be roasted or eaten as-is. And yes, they’re grown in Brazil.
