These candied nuts taste like those delicious roasted nuts you get at the mall during the holiday season! This post was originally published in 2009. I’ve updated it with new photos and a video.
I’ve decided that the Christmas shopping season has officially begun. Not because there are toy catalogs arriving in my mailbox daily or because every other commercial has my children pointing at the television and screaming “I want that!” It’s officially the Christmas shopping season because I’m ready for the roasted nuts.
You know what I’m talking about. Every year you write out a Christmas list, make a budget, head to the mall, and begin your shopping. But just as you walk through the doors of the mall you forget your list and follow your nose to the sugary, spicy, roasted nuts. There is nothing more Christmas-y than that smell, not even the baby Jesus himself. Surely I’m not the only one who feels that way, am I?
This year, rather than paying $allthemoney for an ounce of roasted nuts, why not make them yourself? Oh, because you can’t? It’s too hard? You don’t know how?
Actually, you can. It’s simple. I’ll show you how. Get ready, friends.
I always say this, I know, but this recipe is so simple. You get such great results with ingredients that you most likely have on hand. Please. Make these. You will not be disappointed.
Just grab a big can of nuts, any will do. Almonds, pecans, peanuts, mixed nuts, whatever. I used mix nuts. Variety is the spice of life, after all.
Dump ’em in a big bowl, pour in a beaten egg white, stir it up and dump on the sugar and spice. Mix it up, pop the nuts in the oven for 30 minutes or so and all of your dreams will come true.
These are yummy right out of the oven (be careful, though, they are hot), but they store perfectly. I just save the containers the nuts come in and dump any leftovers back in there. They stay fresh for, well, I don’t know how long. I eat them all within in a week or two.
Make these for your next get-together. You’ll be a hero.
Sugar and Spice Candied Nuts
Ingredients
- 2 pounds nuts any kind, I prefer mixed
- 2 large egg whites room temperature
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2/3 cup dark-brown sugar
- 1 1/3 cup white granulated sugar
- 3 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper you could use paprika if you’re a scaredy-pants, but the cayenne works well
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees.
- Add nuts to large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg whites and water until frothy. Pour over nuts and stir to coat all the nuts.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the sugars, salt, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon. Pour over nuts and stir to coat.
- Spread nuts in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Remove from oven and separate nuts if they are stuck together. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Information:
Recipe lightly adapted from Smitten Kitchen
Erin @ One Particular Kitchen says
I had NO idea these were so simple. How fabulous! My dad will go nuts for these.
grace says
these definitely fall under the “sugar and spice and everything nice” umbrella. what a treat, and perfect for the nibble dish at any party.
Alanna says
I make these every year, and all of the men on my list move to get a package of them attached to their gift 🙂
Pam price says
Are the peanuts salted? Can’t wait to try them.
Karly says
We do use salted nuts, but it’s totally personal preference.
Cheri says
As soon as I saw that first photo I said “Oh Yum!” Out loud. I want to say it again! These look absolutely delicious! I am going to try this for sure!
I can never get over how lovely your photos are.
averagebetty says
I could eat my weight in candied nuts. YUM!
Steph says
I was making my cookie/goodie list today and I thought about spiced nuts. These look perfect! Can’t wait to try them.
Mother In-law says
I hope these are the ones you made for Halloween!!! They were awesome! Thanks for sharing on facebook. Hey, by the way, my son paid you the best compliment ever on Sunday! He said you were the “best cook ever” (or something like that). Even though it throws the “son’s always miss their mom’s cooking” theory out the window, I was proud he paid you such a wonderful compliment.
Bunny says
I always drive myself crazy trying to think of what to make for people as gifts, I’m making these!!!!
Abbie says
I’m ready for Christmas food, too. These look great!
Barbara says
My boys are going to love nibbling on these while watching football!
Mandy says
Oh.My.Word. These look incredible. All your recipes do! I want to come to your house! Thanks for sharing these amazing recipes.
Audrey at Barking Mad! says
OH be still my heart. I just died and went to heaven! Thank you for this. I have never ever tried roasting nuts myself but this looks pretty damned easy….even I could do it!
rachel-asouthernfairytale says
SO yummy! I love making these at home, although I’ve never seen this exact recipe before 🙂 I always just toss things together depending on my mood 🙂 or pantry 🙂
Want to submit this to Blissful Food??? I’d love to feature it 🙂
Ashley says
This would definitely be dangerous for me to make! I love your photos.
then-came-jen says
Oh yes! These are one of the main reasons I go to the renaissance faire every fall… but now I don’t have to buy the big gigantic bag to bring home, I can make them myself!!
Alison says
YUM. My mom and I made these, they are delicious and a great gift! Thank you for all the great recipes! You are awesome.
Annie says
I am soooo happy to see this post.We go to US may be once in 4yrs and our main attraction of walking in Manhatten is to eat these peanuts that the cart fellows sell and we are so smitten with it and now boy!! am I gald that i can make this at home in India in Mumbai oh yes I am!! Bless u for sharing!!
Thanks a million and God Bless!!