These Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts with Pecans and Almonds are lightly sweetened, with just the right amount of spice. They make a great party appetizer or holiday gift!
*This post was originally published 12/2013. Updated 2017 and 2022*
Hi Friends!
When I originally made this recipe I was on a big almond kick so I made them with just almonds. Since then, I’ve tweaked and updated the recipe and found that making them with pecans is actually my favorite, followed by a mix of almonds and pecans, but if you’re a walnut lover you could definitely throw those in as well.
Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts
These nuts are actually inspired by the sweet and spicy pecans from Trader Joe’s that I absolutely love. When I first tried to recreate them, I just focused on the sweet and spicy. I tried using sriracha – don’t do that 🙂 Then I tried just cayenne pepper, which worked alright.
But after many attempts, the secret seems to be in the combination of spices. Mixing cinnamon, ginger and cinnamon on the sweet side with chili powder and cayenne pepper on the spicy side gives them a depth of flavor that I love!
Sweet and Spicy Pecans and Almonds
Here’s the recipe I used:
Sweet and Spicy Nuts Recipe
PrintSweet & Spicy Mixed Nuts
A lightened-up, healthier version of your favorite candied nuts- with a kick!
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cups raw nuts (I usually use almonds, walnuts & pecans or do all pecans)
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp cayenne pepper (more if you want- I use 2.5 – 3 tsp!)
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Place the nuts in a large bowl.
- In a bowl, whisk the egg white and water together until foamy.
- Pour over nuts and stir to coat.
- Add sugar and spices and stir to coat.
- Pour nuts onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 300 degrees F for 15 minutes. Stir and bake 15 minutes more.
- Remove from oven, let cool and break apart large clusters.
Notes
I’ve updated this recipe to improve it but here’s the original recipe – 3 cups raw nuts (I used almonds, walnuts & pecans, 1 egg white + 1 Tablespoon water + 1/4 cup sugar + 1.5 tsp cayenne pepper
These are addicting! I’d definitely recommend the parchment paper- makes cleanup a breeze! Feel free to adjust the sugar and spice to your liking. These are not overly sweet but they’re perfect for me. The sweetness hits you first and the spice kicks in later! You could easily increase the sugar from 1/3 to 1/2 cup.
These make a great gift for the holidays! Make a double batch and split them up into cute holiday bags or mason jars and voila! Need more homemade gift ideas? Check out these Edible Christmas Gift Ideas.
Want more recipes using nuts?
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The Best Crispy Spiced Nuts
This Spiced Nuts Recipe with cinnamon and chili is a delicious fall or holiday snack, appetizer or they make a great gift. The maple and spice coating is made with egg whites which is a great way to give them the best crispy texture!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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Yum! I’m so over the overly sugary nut. This looks great with lots of flavor. Happy New Year Lindsay!
yum! that’s funny about the different tries it took you – i, too, much prefer cayenne pepper over sriracha!
so many tries! but worth it 🙂
I am always a fan of sweet and spicy! These sound great 🙂
Yum a delicious and healthy treat! Looks perfect!
DELISH!!!!!!!!!!! I have made some other flavors in the past – addicting yes – especially the cinnamon flavor for me!
i like cinnamon too!
ohhhh spiced nuts are so one of my favorite things, but I try to pass them most of the time because I’ll eat em all in one sitting haha!! these look much healthier!
yeah portion control is definitely necessary!
I love Cinnamon roasted almonds, but tit’s recipe sounds amazing!
maybe next time i’ll add some cinnamon to the mix!
OMG candied nuts, my weakness . . .
eek mine too!
I’ve been snacking on nuts like they are going out of style recently. I love that you made some homemade ones to share. Maybe I’ll get my act together and make some of these for post-NY gifts (since I never brought christmas gifts to work this year!). 🙂
i think that sounds like a fabulous idea!
I could see myself getting super addicted to these..thanks for the timing info. Happy New Years 🙂
I usually toss back my almonds raw and plain, but these sure sound great! LOve the spicy/sweet combination.
me too! it’s my favorite combo!
This recipe looks so simple and I love how you cut back on the sugar. I can see how these could be totally addicting! Happy New Year!
definitely addicting..and still sweet enough even with just a little sugar!
This. is. awesome. What I miss is all the flavoured almonds you could get in the USA- now I have no excuse. You bet these will be made!
hope you like them!
These look delish! Can you substitute the cayenne for cinnamon or nutmeg?
absolutely! i think they’d be delish with cinnamon!
These are SO delicious! I just made them, and I honestly cannot stop eating them. I used cinnamon instead of cayenne, and they are so, so tasty. Thank you!
i’m so glad you like them! i’m def adding cinnamon next time!