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Last Updated on May 14, 2024
Tigernuts are a healthy, allergy-friendly ingredient in many dishes, from breakfast to dessert. They enhance all kinds of recipes, but an arena they really shine in is in the snacks division. Tigernuts are versatile enough to be used in both sweet and savory snacks, and can be transformed from a chewy, nutty tuber into spreads, dips, baked goods, crispy bites and more.
From sweet granola to spicy roasted crisps to spreadable tiger nuts butter, let’s explore the many applications of tigernuts in snack recipes and compare the different ways to use them in between meal times. Read on and enter the world of tigernut-based snacks.
Introduction to Tigernut Snacks: Why Choose Tigernut?
To start, tigernuts are a natural food. They’re grown in the ground on the roots of the nutsedge plant, making them a wholesome, unprocessed option. They’re also allergy friendly – despite their name, they aren’t actually related to nuts at all. This makes them ideal for both paleo and AIP-style recipes, as well as recipes for those just avoiding nuts and nut products.
Speaking of recipes, tigernuts are incredibly versatile, fitting in seamlessly to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and, of course, snack recipes. They work in a myriad of flavor profiles and combinations, and because of their origins, they make an excellent addition to cuisine from around the world.
Top Tigernut Snack Recipes: What Are the Favorites?
At the top of the list is tigernut spread or tigernut butter. This delicious snack spread can transform any boring bread, crisp, cracker, wrap, sliced fruit or refreshing vegetable into a delectable treat. It’s also a key ingredient in many tasty treats, from granola bars to cookies and beyond.
Next on the list is tigernut granola. Sliced tigernuts combined with other plant-based, wholesome ingredients make for a mix of flavors and textures that will delight the taste buds.
Finally rounding out the list of top tigernut snacks are simple roasted tigernuts tossed in spices. Tigernuts have been eaten this way for hundreds of years and continue to satisfy snackers across the globe.
Nutritional Benefits: How Healthy Are Tigernut-Based Snacks?
Tigernuts are a healthy, whole food ingredient. They’re naturally vegan and gluten free, and in their simplest form, they don’t contain any added sugars, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. Select trusted brands that check all of these boxes (like Natureul) to get the best of what tigernuts have to offer.
In terms of nutrition, tigernuts are high in fiber and only contain natural sugar. They aren’t very high in protein, coming in at about half the content of almonds and cashews, but they are high in a whole host of vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants and amino acids like arginine, which is beneficial for heart health.
Sweet vs. Savory: Exploring the Versatility of Tigernut Snacks
As outlined above, tigernuts are an incredibly versatile ingredient in snacks. From them, you can make succulent, savory snacks just by sticking to savory spices and herbs. Try making tigernut snacks like herbed crackers, savory crepes, or toss them in an air fryer with spices and pop them in your mouth whole. Or, take the sweet route and add them to chocolatey vegan energy bites, tigernut candy cups, mug cakes, and more!
Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Options with Tigernut
Tigernuts are an allergy-friendly ingredient that can be used to make snacks that cater to food allergies and dietary restrictions, including gluten and nut allergies. Tigernuts are naturally gluten free and don’t actually contain nuts. Use tigernut flour in place of almond or coconut flour in paleo recipes like muffins, cakes, pancakes, cookies, and more to make sweet treats that aren’t going to trigger allergic reactions. Tigernuts can also be used to make savory treats like salty trail mix, chips, crisps, and more.
DIY Tigernut Snack Making: Tips and Techniques for Home Cooks
If you’re looking to make your own tigernut snacks at home, you’re going to need to purchase the right product for the job. For baking purposes, tigernut flour is best. You can grind your own using a high-speed blender, but it will save a lot of time if you buy tigernut powder already ground.
If you’re looking to make a quick, tasty, clean snack, spiced roasted tigernuts are a great contender and require plain whole or split tigernuts – double check if they’re raw or already roasted, as it will affect the preparation time and technique of making a tigernut-based snack. If you’re looking to add tigernut essence to a snack but not the texture of a tigernut, go for tigernut oil instead. Or, build a snack from ready-made tigernut products like Natureul’s tigernut granola.
Kid-Friendly Tigernut Snacks: Recipes the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Use tigernut butter to make easy, healthy, aromatic tigernut granola that the whole family will love, including little ones and picky eaters! Tigernut energy balls are also a favorite that won’t last long in the kitchen, as they’re packed full of flavor and are easy to whip up in just a few minutes. Get kids involved in the process to encourage healthy snacking and help them develop their kitchen skills!
Innovative Uses of Tigernut in Snack Creation
Instead of coating your roasted tigernuts in salty, savory spices, try coating them in chocolate instead for a sweet, crunchy snack that will satisfy your cravings. Grind tigernuts into powder and sprinkle over meringue, or carefully fold it into whipped cream for a nutty topping on fruits, ice creams, and parfaits. Add roasted tigernuts to charcuterie and other snack boards instead of nuts!
Conclusions
Tigernuts make a great key ingredient in many snacks, from savory to sweet. They’re versatile, easy to cook and bake with, and add a boost of nutrition to whatever snack they’re included in. kids and adults alike will fall in love with tigernut-based snacks, and no matter what form you buy it in, whether whole, powdered, in butter, or in a ready-to-eat-snack, tigernuts make a fantastic, healthy addition to any diet.