Candied Spiced Nuts - Best Holiday Appetizer or Gift (2024)

What You’ll Need

The most important ingredients for this candied nuts recipe are the spices and butter to coat the nuts in a rich, flavorful glaze. When it comes to the nuts themselves, you can use any you like! I’m going to give you a quick shopping list here, but be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full amounts.

Here are the ingredients for holiday spiced nuts:

• Cumin
• Cayenne pepper. Feel free to use more cayenne for a spicier flavor.
• Cinnamon
• Mixed nuts. Make sure they’re raw and unsalted. You can use a mixture of walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and almonds. Brazil nuts or cashews will also work!
• Butter. Use unsalted butter.
• Brown sugar. This adds a delicious caramelized flavor to the nuts.
• Water
• Salt

How to Make Spiced Nuts

This toasted nuts recipe comes together in a skillet on the stove. However, you will need a parchment-lined baking sheet to dry the nuts and let them cool. This allows the sugar to harden so your nuts are dry and crisp. Here’s how to make the best candied spiced nuts:

Prepare for cooking: Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper. Or use a silicone baking mat.

Make the spice blend: Combine the cumin, cayenne, and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Toast the nuts: Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the nuts and stir them until they start to turn golden and you can smell their nutty fragrance, about 4 minutes.

Season the nuts: Add the butter to the skillet and cook for a minute until the nuts start to darken in color. Then add the spice mixture, brown sugar, water and salt. Continue to cook and stir constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the nuts. This takes about 5 minutes.

Cool the nuts: Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the nuts to the prepared baking sheet. Use a fork to separate the nuts so they don’t stick together. Let them cool for about 10 minutes until the sugar is hardened. Enjoy or store for later!

Things You’ll Need

4.5 from 11 votes

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 cups unsalted mixed nuts (such as walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and almonds)
• 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon salt

• Line a baking sheet with wax paper or a silicone baking sheet.

• In a small bowl, stir together the cumin, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon. Set aside.

• Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the nuts and toast, stirring frequently, until they begin to turn golden and smell nutty and fragrant, about 4 minutes.

• Add the butter and cook while stirring, until the nuts begin to darken, about 1 minute.

• Stir in the spices, brown sugar sugar, water, and salt. Cook while stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens and the nuts are glazed, about 5 minutes.

• Remove the nuts from the heat and transfer to the prepare baking sheet, separating them with a fork.

• Let the nuts stand until cooled and the sugar has hardened, about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

Candied Spiced Nuts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 257Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Fat 21g32%

Saturated Fat 4g20%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 4g

Monounsaturated Fat 12g

Cholesterol 8mg3%

Sodium 151mg6%

Potassium 224mg6%

Carbohydrates 14g5%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 120IU2%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 31mg3%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

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