Description

Weasley’s Dragon Roasted Nuts are a festive and crunchy holiday treat inspired by the Harry Potter universe. These nuts are sweetly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of cayenne pepper for a slight kick. Perfect for snacking, gifting, or serving at Christmas gatherings, they combine the warmth of spices with the satisfying crunch of roasted mixed nuts.

Ingredients

Scale

Fresh Nuts & Spices:

2 cups mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, or peanuts)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pantry Staples:

1 egg white (for coating)
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat: Heat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even roasting.
Whisk: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white and water until frothy. This mixture helps the sugar and spices adhere to the nuts.
Coat Nuts: Add the mixed nuts to the egg white mixture and stir well to coat evenly. In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and salt. Sprinkle this sugar-spice blend over the coated nuts and mix thoroughly to ensure every nut is well covered.
Roast: Spread the coated nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning and prevent burning. The nuts should become golden and release a fragrant spicy aroma when done.
Cool: Remove the nuts from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. This cooling step lets the coating harden and ensures the nuts become crunchy. Break apart clusters before serving or packaging.

Notes

Sweeter version: Add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar and a splash of vanilla extract for enhanced sweetness and aroma.
Savory version: Omit the sugars, use olive oil instead of egg white, and season with rosemary and sea salt for a savory snack option.
Holiday twist: For a festive spice profile, add ground cloves, allspice, or ginger along with the other spices.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months to maintain freshness.
Gift idea: Package the cooled nuts in decorative jars or cellophane bags tied with holiday ribbon to create thoughtful homemade gifts.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Roasting
Cuisine: American

Keywords: roasted nuts, holiday snack, candied nuts, spiced nuts, Weasley nuts, Christmas snack, gift ideas, vegetarian snacks, festive nuts