Spiced Nuts

(240)

They're the perfect party snack or edible gift.

Spiced Nuts
Photo:

Jake Sternquist

Servings:
10
Yield:
Makes 2 1/2 cups

Need a snack for a cocktail party, open house, movie night, or game day? No matter the event, these spiced nuts are the answer. Our spiced nuts recipe uses an easy oven technique to make this favorite nibble. It's much simpler than making them on the stovetop and produces perfectly roasted nuts with no bitter burned spots. Our recipe uses a variety of nuts such as pecans, cashews, walnuts, and almonds. They are spiced with chili powder, cumin, allspice, and cayenne for a smoky, spicy flavor that's hard to resist. Scale up the recipe for a larger crowd because these spiced nuts are sure to go fast.

Tips for Making Spiced Nuts

Our spiced nuts recipe is simple and doesn’t have a lot of ingredients. That means the quality of the ingredients really matters.

  • Nuts: Make sure you use fresh nuts for this spiced nuts recipe. Using nuts that are old, soft, or rancid will ruin the snack.
  • Spices: Similarly only use fresh spices that still have a pungent aroma and are not past their sell-by date or your spiced nuts won’t taste spicy!

Our spiced nuts really are spicy—the recipe uses a generous amount of cayenne pepper. Reduce the amount of cayenne if you prefer the snack less spicy.

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Ingredients

  • 1 large egg white

  • ¼ cup sugar

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon chili powder

  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice

  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 ¾ teaspoons cayenne pepper

  • 2 ½ cups pecan halves, or assorted nuts, such as cashews, walnuts, or almonds

Directions

Spiced nuts ingredients

Jake Sternquist

  1. Preheat oven; beat egg whites:

    Preheat oven to 300°F. Beat egg white until soft and foamy.

    Spiced nuts

    Jake Sternquist

    When the egg white has been properly beaten, no clear liquid will remain on the bottom of the bowl.

  2. Add remaining ingredients except nuts to egg white; add nuts:

    Combine all remaining ingredients except nuts; whisk into egg white. Stir in nuts until well coated.

    Spiced nuts

    Jake Sternquist

  3. Transfer to baking sheet:

    Spread mixture in single layer onto an ungreased baking pan.

    Spiced nuts

    Jake Sternquist

  4. Bake:

    Bake nuts for 15 minutes. Use a metal spatula to toss, stir, and separate nuts.

    Spiced Nuts

    Jake Sternquist

  5. Reduce temp and continue baking:

    Reduce oven to 250°F and return nuts to bake until medium brown, about 10 minutes more. Remove from oven; toss, and stir again.

  6. Cool:

    Place baking pan on wire rack to cool (they will crisp as they cool). Break up any that stick together.

    Spiced Nuts

    Jake Sternquist

Storing Spiced Nuts

Spiced nuts can be made ahead. The same storage applies to spiced nuts whether made ahead or leftover: transfer the nuts to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to one week. You may notice the nuts become softer toward the end of that time. Do not store the nuts near the stove or in direct sunlight and they will stay fresher.

Other Nuts and Snack Recipes to Try

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, November 1997
Updated by
Victoria Spencer
Victoria Spencer, senior food editor, MarthaStewart.com
Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years.

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