Sweet, Salty, Spicy Party Nuts Recipe
Introduction
These sweet, salty, and spicy party nuts are a perfect snack for any gathering. They combine a blend of walnuts, pecans, almonds, and cashews coated in a flavorful spiced syrup. Easy to prepare and irresistibly tasty, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 1 cup untoasted walnut halves
- 1 cup untoasted pecan halves
- 1 cup unsalted, dry roasted almonds
- 1 cup unsalted, dry roasted cashews
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine walnuts, pecans, almonds, and cashews. Add salt, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper, then toss to coat the nuts evenly with the spices.
- Step 3: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, water, and butter. Stir gently until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute.
- Step 4: Slowly pour the warm butter-sugar mixture over the spiced nuts and stir well to coat all the nuts.
- Step 5: Spread the coated nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove and stir the nuts to coat them again with any syrup on the pan, then spread them out evenly.
- Step 7: Return the nuts to the oven and bake for an additional 6 minutes, until they are sticky and roasted. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use a mix of your favorite nuts, such as macadamias or pistachios, for a unique twist.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper for more or less heat depending on your preference.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or smoked paprika to the spice mix.
Storage
Store the cooled nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. To refresh their crunch, spread them on a baking sheet and warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use roasted nuts instead of untoasted nuts?
Yes, you can use roasted nuts if preferred, but make sure they are unsalted to avoid oversalting the final snack.
How spicy are these nuts?
The cayenne adds a mild heat that balances nicely with the sweetness and saltiness. You can reduce or omit it if you prefer a less spicy snack.
Print
Sweet, Salty, Spicy Party Nuts Recipe
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
Description
These Sweet, Salty, Spicy Party Nuts are a delightful mix of walnuts, pecans, almonds, and cashews coated with a flavorful blend of salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne, and a sweet butter-sugar glaze. Roasted to perfection in the oven, they offer a perfect crunchy snack that balances sweet, salty, and spicy flavors without any bitter burnt spots.
Ingredients
Nuts and Spices
- 1 cup untoasted walnut halves
- 1 cup untoasted pecan halves
- 1 cup unsalted, dry roasted almonds
- 1 cup unsalted, dry roasted cashews
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Syrup
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter
Others
- cooking spray (for baking sheet)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Nuts and Spices: In a large bowl, combine the walnut halves, pecan halves, almonds, and cashews. Add salt, freshly ground black pepper, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper; toss until all the nuts are evenly coated with the spices.
- Make Butter-Sugar Syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine white sugar, water, and butter. Heat the mixture while stirring until the butter has melted and the sugar is fully dissolved, about 1 minute.
- Coat Nuts with Syrup: Slowly pour the warm butter-sugar syrup over the spiced nuts in the bowl. Stir thoroughly to ensure every nut is coated evenly with the syrup.
- Arrange Nuts on Baking Sheet: Spread the syrup-coated nuts in a single layer on the prepared foil-lined baking sheet to allow even roasting.
- First Bake: Bake the nuts in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. This initial roast helps set the syrup and enhance the flavors.
- Stir and Second Bake: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and stir the nuts well to coat them again with any warming syrup. Spread them out evenly once more and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 6 minutes, or until the nuts are sticky and nicely roasted with a glossy finish.
- Cool Before Serving: Remove the nuts from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. Cooling will help the syrup harden slightly, giving the nuts a perfect crisp texture. Serve once cool.
Notes
- Use a large enough baking sheet to spread nuts in a single layer for even roasting.
- Monitor nuts closely in the final minutes of baking to prevent burning.
- Store cooled nuts in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
- You can adjust cayenne pepper quantity to modify spiciness.
- Use aluminum foil for easy cleanup and even heat distribution.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: spiced nuts, party nuts, sweet and spicy nuts, roasted nuts, snack recipe, holiday snacks
