These savory Spiced Nuts are utterly delicious and addictive. The blend of spices leaves your kitchen smelling heavenly, and the crunchiness of the toasted nuts makes every bite irresistible. Make this recipe once, and you’ll never buy spiced nuts again. You’ll need only a few ingredients and no more than 30 minutes of your time.
If you’re looking for more easy-to-make holiday snacks, then you should check these out: Christmas Granola, Homemade Poppycock, and this Trail Mix Recipe.
Yes, Spiced Nuts are naturally gluten-free, as long as you use pure spices and maple syrup without additives. If you’re buying mixed nuts or chili powder, double-check the labels to make sure they don’t include any gluten-containing fillers or coatings.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy to make
- Great warm snack out of the oven
- House smells amazing
- Yummy gift for the holidays
- Crowd pleaser
Helpful Items for This Recipe
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Baking Sheet Pan Set, 3x Cookie Sheets for Oven, Diamond Texture
Ingredients to make our Spiced Nuts
Simple ingredients, but nuts can be expensive. Try to source them on sale or through a bulk food retailer.
Recipe Ingredients
Unsalted mixed nuts – You can choose your favorite here. We use a mix of pecans, almonds, walnuts, raw peanuts and raw cashews, and it turns out amazing.
Fresh rosemary – It infuses the nuts with its characteristic fresh and slightly sweet aroma.
Maple syrup – Use real maple syrup; do not use “pancake syrup”.
Butter – It adds a rich flavor and helps to crisp up the nuts.
Kosher salt – Add it to taste; it will enhance the overall flavor of these spiced nuts.
Chili powder – It provides a blend of spices that makes these spiced nuts so tasty.
Granulated garlic – It brings a mild, savory depth that balances the sweetness of the maple syrup and adds a subtle umami note.
Cayenne pepper – Just a pinch gives these nuts a gentle kick of heat, enhancing the overall flavor without overpowering the other spices.
How to Make Spiced Nuts
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; this helps keep the maple syrup from getting stuck to the pan. Pour the unsalted mixed nuts onto the baking sheet and spread them out evenly.
In a small bowl, mix together the rosemary, maple syrup, melted butter, Kosher salt, chili powder, granulated garlic and cayenne pepper. Gently whisk the mixture until combined.
Pour the maple butter mixture over the mixed nuts on the baking sheet and carefully stir well until all the nuts are coated. Rearrange the nuts on the baking sheet so they are evenly spread out.
Place in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then stir the nuts. Continue to bake the nuts, stirring every 5 minutes until the nuts are a deep golden brown, about 20 – 23 minutes total time.
Remove the pan from the oven and stir the nuts one more time. Allow the nuts to cool for about 10 minutes. Then, while the nuts are still warm, separate the larger clusters of nuts into small pieces.
Let the nuts cool completely in the pan. Place the nuts in an air-tight container or Ziploc bag. They will keep for up to 2 months at room temperature (but ours never last more than a few days!).
Recipe Pro Tips
Can I make these nuts ahead of time?
Absolutely! Spiced nuts are perfect for prepping ahead. You can make them several days in advance, and they’ll stay wonderfully crunchy and flavorful. Just make sure they cool completely before storing them, so they don’t trap any moisture that could make them soft.
What’s the best way to package these nuts for gifting?
Once they’re fully cooled, scoop them into glass jars, cellophane bags, or small tins. Add a festive ribbon and a handwritten tag for a personal touch. They look beautiful and taste amazing — perfect for teachers, neighbors, or anyone who loves a thoughtful, edible gift.
How long can you keep spiced nuts?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these spiced nuts will keep for up to 2 months. If you live somewhere humid, you can also refrigerate them to maintain their crisp texture. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 6 months — just let them come to room temperature before serving. It’s also nice to give them a quick reheating as they will crisp up beautifully.
WANT MORE SNACKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
We love to serve up a snack for the holidays or for any time of the year when company arrives. Here are some of our favorites.
Spiced Nuts
Ingredients
- 5 1/2 cups unsalted mix nuts
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; this helps keep the maple syrup from getting stuck to the pan.
- Pour the unsalted mixed nuts onto the baking sheet and spread them out evenly.
- In a small bowl, mix together the rosemary, maple syrup, melted butter, Kosher salt, chili powder, granulated garlic and cayenne pepper. Gently whisk the mixture until combined.
- Pour the maple butter mixture over the mixed nuts on the baking sheet and carefully stir well until all the nuts are coated. Rearrange the nuts on the baking sheet so they are evenly spread out.
- Place in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then stir the nuts. Continue to bake the nuts, stirring every 5 minutes until the nuts are a deep golden brown, about 20 – 23 minutes total time.
- Remove the pan from the oven and stir the nuts one more time. Allow the nuts to cool for about 10 minutes. Then, while the nuts are still warm, separate the larger clusters of nuts into small pieces.
- Let the nuts cool completely in the pan. Place the nuts in an air-tight container or Ziploc bag. They will keep for up to 2 months at room temperature.
Let us know what you think!
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