If you’re like me, you’re way behind on holiday gift making. This weekend I’ve been frantically baking and packing up goodies for hostess gifts, secret Santa surprises and tasty treats to tuck under the tree. This recipe is quick, easy and makes a lot so you can slow down. Enjoy the holidays and still pull off your homemade gifts like a champ!
Almost any mix of nuts and seeds will work in this recipe but I love the different textures of the almonds, pecans and pepitas. They are simply tossed in a brown sugary syrup mixture that is spiced with ginger, cayenne, and rosemary for the perfect balance of savory, sweet, salt and spice.
The nuts pair really well with cocktails, making them a great appetizer for a holiday party. Or, wrap them up in a cellophane bag with a bow or scoop them into a jar for a fabulous (and easy!) gift.
Sweet and Spicy Nuts
These savory, Sweet and Spicy Nuts are the first snack to go at any cocktail or holiday party. They even make great gifts!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 5 cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 2 cup whole almonds
- 1 cup raw pepitas
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 teaspoons coarse Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup
Instructions
- Heat oven to 300˚F. Spread the pecans, almonds and pepitas on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake 10 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant; set aside to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 275˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the rosemary, salts, cayenne, ginger and black pepper. Set aside.
- In a 1-quart saucepan, stir together brown sugar, water, coconut oil and corn syrup. Heat to boiling over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in the brown sugar mixture.
- In a large bowl, combine the toasted nuts, spiced syrup mixture and toss gently until the nuts are evenly coated. Spread on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until the spice mixture is caramelized. Cool completely; then store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving (about 1/4 cup)
- Calories: 188
- Sugar: 5.5g
- Sodium: 298.9mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13.9g
- Carbohydrates: 9.5g
- Fiber: 2.6g
- Protein: 4.7g
- Cholesterol: 0g
Do you have a favorite holiday appetizer?
A couple of other spiced nut mixes for snacking…
Indian Spiced Mixed Nuts from Williams Sonoma
Chocolate Chili Spiced Pecans from Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Maple Cinnamon Spiced Nuts from Table for Two
**Just a note: I’m now publishing my recipes on Yummly so please share them by selecting the Yummly icon below and adding the recipe to your recipe box. Thanks!! Kristen
