Sweet and Spicy Nuts are easy to make with ingredients you probably already have on hand! Cashews, almonds, and walnuts are coated in a sweet and spicy seasoning mix and baked until crunchy and toasted – they’re the perfect appetizer or even gift!
Although you can make this sweet and spicy mixed nuts recipe any time of year, they’re really great during the holiday season. We make them for parties and gifts – they’re sweet with some spice and have a great crunchy texture (spicier than our candied nuts recipe).
Nuts pair great with mocktails as a light snack, or you can add them to charcuterie or cheese boards. Or, just leave a bowl out for the family to enjoy. They really are delicious.
Ingredients for Holiday Nut Mix
- Sugar: Granulated sugar for the sweet part
- Spices: Smoked paprika, Cayenne pepper, Cinnamon, and Salt for the spicy
- Egg: Use a large white egg. A single layer of egg wash makes the spice mixture stick!
- Nuts: I use cashews, almonds, and walnuts, but you can add or remove any nuts.
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Recipe Variations
- You can control the spiciness by reducing the amount of cayenne. Or, use ground cumin in place of the cayenne if you don’t want any heat.
- The easiest way to switch up this recipe is to change the nuts. So, feel free to use your favorites! Raw pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, and peanuts would all work well in this recipe.
How To Make SWEEt & SPICY NUTS
- In a small bowl whisk sugar, salt, paprika, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. In a large bowl whisk the egg white until it becomes frothy. Add the cashews, almonds, walnuts and spice mix and toss until all nuts are covered.
- Pour nuts onto the baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Cook for 35-45 minutes or until browned.
EXPERT TIPS
- This is a great recipe because you can make a big batch of spiced nuts and then store them in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
- Make sure they are thoroughly cooled before storing them, and then keep them at room temperature.
- Because they keep so well, these party nuts make great gifts. Package them in jars, bags, or tins lined with parchment paper and hand them out during the holiday season.
Sweet and Spicy Nuts Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups raw cashews
- 1 ½ cups raw almonds
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 large egg white
- Nonstick Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a small bowl whisk sugar, salt, paprika, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. In a large bowl whisk the egg white until it becomes frothy. Add the cashews, almonds, walnuts and spice mix and toss until all nuts are covered.
- Pour nuts onto the baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Cook for 35-45 minutes or until browned. Let cool before serving!!
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