Looking for an easy cheap appetizer? Well, make this Spiced Mixed Nuts. Spiced nuts, candied nuts are easy and cheap way to add option in your gathering appetizer. They’re not only easy to make, theyre also delicious and great for nibbling while chatting with friends. To be honest, I make spiced nuts more often for myself. It is so easy to the point that I can make it in less than 3o minutes.
I am the type of eater who likes to switch from savory to sweet and vice versa. Having this homemade spiced nuts and sometimes Candied Pecan makes my craving for something to snack on easier. Buying roasted nuts in the grocery can tend to be expensive, that is why making it at home is the way to go.
Why Making Your Own Roasted Nuts at Home is Worth it
- Just like any homemade, you get to choose what you like. Use nuts that you like, mix and match them
- Use the spice mix that suits your preference. Make it lightly salted, make it plain roasted, make it sweet and spicy, or make it lightly spiced like this one. The choice is yours
- You can control the amount of oil you use. Bear minimum, use at least 3 teaspoon to max of 4 teaspoon of oil. This helps in the roasting bringing up the flavor plus it helps the spices stick to the nuts
- Budget friendly. I find it cheaper especially if you buy the nuts in bulk.
- You get to have them freshly roasted, not something that has been in the jar for months.
- They’re a great for snacking or for party appetizer
- They are so easy to make. You can make this in 15 – 20 minutes.
The amount of peppers looks like quite a lot, but it wasn’t really that spicy, at least to my taste. Some peppers are mild so be sure to taste your peppers so you can adjust it to your preference. You can always reduce the peppers and use other spices to flavor the nuts. In general, you can use whatever seasoning and spices that you like.
Choose Your Herbs & Spices
One of the good thing about making your own mixed nuts at home is that you are free to choose what spices to put on them.
- Flaming HOT – If you are like me who like hot stuff, go ahead and go crazy with variations of peppers, the likes of cayenne pepper, paprika, chili flakes, and other types of spicy powdered peppers.
- Fall Warming Flavor – for a fall flavor, go for assortment of fall spices, the likes of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, garlic or all spice
- Sweet Tooth – for the sweet tooth nutty craving, make it a sweet salted nuts. this can be achieved by adding brown sugar, butter and egg whites instead of oil to allow the sugar stick. Checkout my Candied Pecans video
- Sweet & Spicy – Ah!! A combination of both world. If you are into sweet, spicy and salty, you are looking at some brown sugar, butter, salt, egg white and variation of spicy powdered peppers
- Asian Twist – Feel like something different? Make it an Asian twist with the addition of cumin powder, curry powder and Turmeric powder
Choose Your Nuts
Very flexible. You can use Almonds, Cashew, Pecans, Walnuts, Hazelnut, Brazilian Nut, Peanuts or any other nuts that are suitable for roasting or baking. For mix nuts, I always go for a combination of Almond, Cashew and Pecan. I like the different texture of these nuts and they all worked well for salted and spiced variation. For sweet variation, I often go between Pecan or Cashew. There are quite a lot of nuts to choose from, but I find Almond, Cashew, Pecan and Walnuts are the most accessible and not too expensive especially when bought in large bags.
Choose The Binder
Unless you are making a dry roasted nuts, you will need a binder to help the spices and other ingredients stick to the the nuts.
- For savory variation, I always go for small amount of olive oil, coconut or any flavorless oil will work too.
- For sweet variation, maple syrup or use egg white. Simply beat the egg white until bubbly or frothy then add the nuts and other ingredients. This is what I used for my Candied Pecan which is a sweet variation.
- You can also do a simple syrup (water + sugar) to coat the nuts.
- Another option is melted butter instead of oil or egg white.
- Now if you want to keep it really simple, do a dry unsalted roasted nuts. That is basically just roasting/toasting the nuts without any spices, herbs added to it.
How to Store Homemade Nuts
Store your nuts in an air-tight container, so they maintain the proper moisture level. I had left this for 3 weeks in a mason jar on counter top and it still taste great. Since this is a small batch, I did not have problem finishing it quite fast. If you are looking at consuming this longer than 3 weeks, then store it in the refrigerator. Nuts have natural oil in them plus we have added oil as well so there is a chance of it getting rancid in time. You can always just toast a handful if you want to snack on them. Put them in a toaster and toast for about 3 – 5 minutes.
So are you ready to go nuts over these nuts? Let me show you how to make it. Let’s get started!
Tips in Making Homemade Spiced Nuts:
- Choose Your Nuts: Use a variety of nuts like almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts for a balanced flavor and texture.
- Freshness Matters: Use fresh, unsalted nuts for the best results. Check the expiration date and avoid nuts that have been sitting around for too long.
- Add Oil: Oil will help give the nuts crunch and it help toast the nuts.
- Balance Your Spices: Combine sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Common spices include cinnamon, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, and nutmeg. Adjust the amount to your taste.
- Sweeteners: Add a bit of sweetness with brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey. This helps caramelize the nuts and adds a lovely glaze.
- Even Coating: Mix the nuts thoroughly with the oil and spice mixture to ensure an even coating on each nut.
- Low and Slow Baking: Bake the nuts at a low temperature (around 300°F/150°C) to avoid burning. Stir them every 10-15 minutes to ensure even roasting.
- Cool Completely: Allow the nuts to cool completely on the baking sheet. This helps them become crisp and flavorful.
- Storage: Store your spiced nuts in an airtight container to keep them fresh and crunchy. They can last for several weeks at room temperature or even longer if refrigerated.
- Experiment with Flavors: Don’t be afraid to try different spice combinations and sweeteners. Add a touch of salt for contrast, or a dash of vanilla extract for added depth.
Enjoy your homemade spiced nuts as a snack, salad topper, or a festive gift! They’re perfect for any occasion.
Homemade Spiced Mixed Nuts (Easy Small‑Batch Snack Mix)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix all the spices in a bowl.
- Transfer the nuts in a bowl. Pour the oil and toss until the nuts are coated with oil. Sprinkle 3/4 of the mixed spices.
- Bake at 350F for 10 minutes. Take out of the oven and mix. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven.
- Let cool completely before serving. The nuts will get crunchier as it cools down.
- Store in an airtight container. This could last 2 – 3 weeks at room temperature.
Video
Notes
- Amount of Oil: I tested this first with 2 teaspoon of olive oil which I find not enough. It was nice that it was lightly oiled, but the spices did not stick to the nuts that much. This makes it lost the flavor for me. Most of the spices where left on the top instead on on the nuts. I also tested this with 4 teaspoon which I find a bit too much. Yes, the spices and salt definitely stick to the nuts and I was able to taste the saltiness and flavor but I find it a bit too wet. In the end, my sweet spot was at 3 teaspoon or 1 tablespoon of olive oil. The salt and spices stick to the nuts and I can taste the wonderful flavor and heat without the nuts being too oily and wet.
- Amount of Salt: You can adjust the amount of salt to your preference. I had tested this using 1/4 teaspoon of salt which I find not enough to give the salty taste I was looking for. I also tested this with 3/4 teaspoon of salt which I find a bit too much although still tolerable. If you like eating salty nuts, it might still work for you. I find my sweet spot at 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Basically 1/4 teaspoon is lightly salted, 1/2 teaspoon medium salted and 3/4 teaspoon highly salted. I wouldn’t recommend going above 3/4 teaspoon salt.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Information was calculated using Veryfitwell Recipe Calorie and Nutrition Calculator. For details about Nutritional Information in this website, please read the Disclaimer page.
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