This Sweet and Spicy mixed Nuts recipe is the perfect snack for gatherings, game nights, or just to have on hand when you’re craving something crunchy and flavorful. The blend of walnuts, pecans, almonds, and cashews gives a variety of textures, while the combination of sugar, cumin, cayenne pepper, and black pepper creates a balanced taste of sweet heat. This easy-to-make recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and will leave you with a delicious and satisfying snack that you can enjoy any time. Let’s get started!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

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 (adjust to your spice preference)

½ cup white sugar
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon butter

Cooking spray

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent the nuts from sticking.

2. Toast the Nuts:

Spread the walnut halves, pecan halves, almonds, and cashews evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and toast the nuts for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning. Once toasted, set them aside.

3. Prepare the Sweet and Spicy Coating:

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to bubble.

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the salt, freshly ground black pepper, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper.
Cook the mixture for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the spices to release their aroma.

4. Coat the Nuts:

Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately pour the toasted nuts into the sweet and spicy mixture.

Stir the nuts thoroughly to ensure they are evenly coated with the sweet and spicy glaze.

5. Bake the Coated Nuts:

Once the nuts are well-coated, spread them back onto the same baking sheet in an even layer.
Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice to prevent the sugar mixture from burning. This step will help the glaze set and give the nuts a caramelized, crunchy finish.

6. Cool and Serve:

Remove the nuts from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes. As they cool, the glaze will harden and give the nuts a delightful crunch.
Once completely cool, transfer the nuts to an airtight container for storage or serve immediately as a snack.

Cooking Tips:

Nut Substitutions: Feel free to substitute or add any other nuts like hazelnuts, peanuts, or Brazil nuts to this mix, depending on your personal preferences.

Spice Adjustments: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper based on your spice tolerance. You can also add more cumin or even smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavor.
Storage: Allow the nuts to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They will keep well at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, but they are likely to disappear much sooner!
Presentation: For an extra festive touch, consider mixing in some dried cranberries or raisins after the nuts have cooled. This will add a sweet, chewy contrast to the crunchy, spiced nuts.

Nutritional Facts (per serving, based on 8 servings):

Calories: 300
Total Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 3g

Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 250mg
Total Carbohydrates: 14g

Dietary Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 10g
Protein: 6g

(These values are approximate and will vary based on the specific types of nuts used and any optional additions.)

FAQs:

1. Can I use salted nuts instead of unsalted?

Yes, but if you use salted nuts, reduce the added salt in the recipe to avoid making the mixture too salty.

2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! These nuts can be made a few days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.

3. Can I use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar?

You can substitute honey or maple syrup for the sugar if you prefer a natural sweetener. However, the texture may be slightly different, and the glaze may not harden as much as it does with sugar.

4. Can I add other flavors?

Feel free to experiment with flavors. Add cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced version, or mix in some herbs like rosemary for a savory twist.

5. How do I store these nuts?

Store the cooled nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months if you’d like to keep them longer.

Conclusion:

These Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts are the perfect balance of flavors—sweet, spicy, salty, and savory all in one bite! They are an ideal snack for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a party, packing a snack for work, or just craving something tasty and crunchy. With the combination of nuts, spices, and a delicious sugary coating, this recipe is not only easy to make but also provides a healthier alternative to store-bought snacks. Plus, the ability to customize the recipe with your preferred nuts and spice levels makes it a versatile option for anyone who loves to snack on something truly delicious. Try this recipe, and you’ll never look at store-bought mixed nuts the same way again!