Spiced Candied Nuts

Your kitchen is going to smell amazing while these nuts bake. The mix of cinnamon, smoked paprika, ginger, and allspice gives them a sweet heat that’s full of flavor. They’re the kind of snack people reach for without even thinking, and before you know it, the bowl is empty. You can use whatever nuts you have on hand or put together your favorites.

Once they come out of the oven and cool, the nuts turn perfectly crisp and crunchy. They’re great for snacking, sprinkling over salads, or adding to a cheese board. If you like gifting homemade treats, these are really easy to package up. It’s one of those easy recipes that feels a little special and fits right into the holiday season or any time you want something snacky and flavorful.

Ingredient Notes

• Raw Nuts: Use any mix you love such as pecans, almonds, walnuts, or cashews. Make sure they are raw and unsalted so they don’t overcook while baking.
• Egg White: Helps the sugar and spices stick to the nuts. Whisk until frothy before adding the nuts.
• Water: A small amount loosens the egg white just enough to coat everything evenly.
• Granulated Sugar: Creates the classic crisp, sweet shell. Brown sugar is not recommended here since it can make the coating softer.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm flavor that pairs well with both sweet and savory notes.
• Smoked Paprika: You really want to use smoked here. If you don’t have it, use 3/4 teaspoon regular paprika and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
• Ground Ginger: Add a warm little kick.
• Ground Allspice: Really aromatic and rounds everything out.
• Salt: Only needed if your nuts are raw and unsalted. A little salt keeps the flavor balanced and enhances the spices.

Best Nuts to Use

This recipe works with just about any nut you can find. Pecans and walnuts have lots of natural texture that grabs onto the sugar coating. Almonds bake up extra crisp. Cashews stay a bit softer inside, which makes for a nice contrast. Pistachios are also a great option.

Mixing a few different kinds gives you a great variety of flavor and crunch in every batch.

Adjusting the Spice Level

These nuts aren’t spicy in the heat sense, but they do have a big punch of flavor. You can easily customize how bold or mellow these nuts taste.

For a little extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne or increase the smoked paprika.

If you prefer a more mild flavor, reduce the paprika or use plain paprika instead of smoked.

Variations

Once you’ve made a batch or two, it’s fun to switch things up. Each small change gives the nuts a whole new personality while keeping the same easy method.

Try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the egg white mixture for a sweeter, rounder flavor.

For something a little brighter, stir in a bit of orange zest before baking.

If you enjoy more savory notes, add a small pinch of cumin or black pepper to the spice mix.

You can also replace the cinnamon with cardamom or nutmeg if you want a different vibe with the aromatics.

Tips for Success

Stirring is your best friend with this recipe. Once the nuts are coated and in the oven, giving them a quick toss halfway through helps them bake evenly and keeps the coating crisp.

Make sure the nuts go into the oven in a single layer so they don’t steam. Let them cool completely before storing because the coating continues to firm up as it cools.

Ways to Use Candied Nuts

They’re fantastic for snacking, but don’t stop there. Sprinkle them over salads for crunch, add them to yogurt or oatmeal, or chop them up and use them as a topping for cakes, quick breads, or ice cream.

They’re also a fun addition to cheese boards or charcuterie trays. If you like homemade holiday gifts, these are always a hit in little jars or treat bags.