Mom’s Spiced Nuts Recipe (2024)

This savory rosemary spiced nuts recipe is the perfect anytime snack or appetizer. The mix of almonds, pecans, cashews, pistachios and pumpkin seeds are crunchy, salty, savory, sweet and even a little spicy. They’ve got it all!

Mom’s Spiced Nuts Recipe (1)

Why I Love this Savory Spiced Nuts Recipe

My mom makes this recipe every year for the holidays. There’s always a big jar full of these nuts on the kitchen island and it’s hands down one of my favorite holiday treats because they’re perfectly balanced between sweet, salty, savory and spicy. Don’t expect traditional candy-coated sugared nuts, no, these are flavorful, interesting and far more nuanced!

What are Spiced Nuts?

Spiced nuts are essentially nuts (either all the same kind of nut or a mixture) coated in oil, sugar and spices. They’re roasted until golden brown and toasty. Once cooled, the nuts are extra-crunchy and full of flavor.

Mom’s Spiced Nuts Recipe (2)

Ingredients Needed for Spiced Nuts

A mixture or raw nuts — my favorite combination is almonds, pecans, cashews, pistachios, and pumpkin seeds. This combination hits all the crunch levels but feel free to use what you like or have on hand. Just make sure to use raw unsalted nuts.

Pure maple syrup — this is what (not surprisingly) adds sweetness. But it also makes the nuts even more crunchy once cooled. Make sure you use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup.

Dried Rosemary — adds a wintery/earthy flavor to the nuts. Nothing else does the trick.

Spices — curry powder and cayenne add major oomph to these nuts. I don’t recommend substituting the curry powder for something else, but if you have to, check out this DIY curry powder recipe. Use as many of the spices it calls for, if you’ve got ‘em.

Salt — kosher salt is an important ingredient here. Table salt just isn’t the same. I also like to sprinkle flaky sea salt over the nuts right before they go in the oven—but that’s completely optional.

How to Make Spiced Nuts

The process couldn’t be simpler.

  1. Toss the raw nuts together.
  2. Whisk together maple syrup, rosemary, curry powder, salt, and cayenne.
  3. Drizzle maple syrup mixture over nuts and toss to coat.
  4. Transfer the nut mixture to a baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
  5. Roast the nuts until golden brown and fragrant.
  6. Let cool completely then store in an airtight container.

How to Serve Spiced Nuts

  1. Set them out as a snack or appetizer in a small bowl.
  2. Add them to a charcuterie board.
  3. Package them up in small jars and gift them for the holidays.
  4. Most importantly, let the nuts cool completely before serving. I do not recommend serving warm.
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FAQs & Test Kitchen Tips

Can I use brown sugar instead of maple syrup?

I haven’t tested this, but I predict the sugar will burn. I recommend sticking with pure maple syrup.

Can I freeze these?

You can freeze these nuts for up to 1 month. I recommend letting then thaw, spread out on a baking sheet, at room temperature, for a few hours.

My nuts have become sticky and kind of soft, why?

If the nuts are not fully cooled before being transferred to an airtight container they will release steam in the jar and cause the nuts to soften and become sticky. It’s absolutely imperative that the nuts cool completely before being stored. Additionally, if the jar or container of nuts are left open and the air is relatively humid, the nuts can soften and become sticky. Keep them sealed when not being eaten.

These don’t need oil?

No olive oil or melted butter needed! Some recipes even rely on egg white for crisping, but the maple syrup does all the heavy lifting here!

Can I use store-bought mixed nuts?

If you can find mixed nuts that are raw and unsalted, go right ahead! I have never found that which is why I call for a cup amount of each.

More Healthy Appetizer Recipes to Try…

  • Asian Turkey Meatballs
  • Garlic Confit
  • Labneh Dip

Did you make this Spiced Nuts Recipe? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to leave a star rating!

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Mom’s Spiced Nuts Recipe (4)

Mom’s Spiced Nuts Recipe

★★★★★4.7 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Lauren Grant
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 35 mins
  • Yield: 4 ½ cups 1x
  • Category: Snack / Appetizer
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

Sweet, salty, and slightly spicy, this spiced nut recipe will quickly become a favorite. Serve these as a snack, appetizer or addition to charcuterie boards.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 1 cup raw pecans
  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • ¾ cup raw shelled pistachios
  • ⅔ cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Flaky sea salt, optional

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 325°F (163ºC); coat a baking sheets with nonstick spray.
  2. In a large bowl whisk together maple syrup, rosemary, curry powder, kosher salt and cayenne. Add the nuts and toss to coat evenly.
  3. Transfer nuts to prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
  4. Sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt over nuts; optional.
  5. Bake until toasted and golden brown, 20—25 minutes, stirring a couple of times.
  6. Let nuts cool completely on sheet. Use a metal spatula to scrape nuts off pans; transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

  • If you’re sensitive to spice, you can use black pepper instead of cayenne.
  • Raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas) can be hard to find sometimes. Look in the bulk bin section of your grocery store. Roasted unsalted pepitas will work fine—they won’t burn.
  • It’s imperative that you let the nuts cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Keywords: Spiced nuts, Spiced nuts recipe, savory spiced nuts recipe, rosemary spiced nuts

Recipe Card powered byMom’s Spiced Nuts Recipe (6)

This recipe and article were originally published on December 14, 2015. It was most recently updated on November 18th, 2021.

Original Post Date Updated Post Date

About The Author

Lauren Grant is a professional culinary food scientist, food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer. Lauren is a previous magazine editor and test kitchen developer and has had work published in major national publications including Diabetic Living Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, Cuisine at Home Magazine, EatingWell.com, AmericasTestKitchen.com, and more.

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Mom’s Spiced Nuts Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can spiced nuts be frozen? ›

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to three weeks. These nuts will get sticky and clump together if they are left in areas that are too warm or humid. Can you freeze spiced nuts? Spiced nuts freeze well and thaw quickly, so keep some on hand for last minute gatherings.

How long do homemade nuts last? ›

Nuts can be refrigerated for up to four months and frozen for up to six months. Store ground almonds in an airtight container in a cool dark place for a couple of weeks. For longer-term storage pop in the freezer. Store roasted nuts in an airtight container in a cool dark place.

How to store seasoned nuts? ›

When storing nuts, the freezer is your friend. This dark, cold space slows the deterioration of the nut's oils, a process that directly impacts flavor. Light, oxygen, and heat are the enemies of nuts.

How to make soft nuts crunchy? ›

Here Is the Nourishing Traditions Method for Crispy Nuts:

Soak 4 cups raw nuts in sea salt and filtered water to cover in a warm place at least 7 hours. Drain and spread in a single layer (I found that part out by experience) on pans and dry in an oven on its lowest temp for 12-24 hours.

Should nuts be stored in the refrigerator? ›

Nuts. Nuts' fragile unsaturated fats can go rancid quickly. While that may not hurt your health, it can definitely be bad news for flavor. Keep nuts tasting fresh by stowing them in a sealed plastic or glass container in the refrigerator for four to six months.

How long will nuts stay fresh in the freezer? ›

For longer term storage, the freezer will keep nuts fresh up to a year. As the water content is low, freezing won't affect the taste.

Can you eat nuts 2 years out of date? ›

A: Nuts can't expire; however, they can change in taste or go rancid.

Which nuts go rancid the fastest? ›

Nuts that have a large surface area, like walnut halves, with their complex network of ridges and valleys, will go rancid faster because of a greater exposure to oxygen. And fattier nuts, like macadamia or Brazil nuts, will oxidize quicker than leaner almonds.

How do you know if nuts have gone bad? ›

Texture-wise they lose their crunch and become softer. Color-wise they might darken a little bit,” he says, describing the flavor as “floury and bland.” Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature.

What to do with old pistachios? ›

Just toasting them in a dry pan or oven should be enough to revive them, but they'll also go in any recipe that requires nuts. We got through most of ours by toasting them with spices, to eat as nibbles or to add crunch to soups, stews and salads. I also made a vivid green marzipan with some of the pistachios.

What is the hardest nut to grind? ›

The hardest nut is the macadamia nut, it takes approximately 300 pounds of pressure per square inch to crack this nut!

Can you eat out of date walnuts? ›

It may be that it says 'Best Before' as walnuts don't have a clearcut timetable for which they will 'expire' and be immediately unfit for consumption. This date would only remind you of the general longevity of the product's shelf life. But it is entirely up to your discretion if you'll throw it out or eat it.

What nuts freeze well? ›

Cashews can stay good for one year in the freezer. Walnuts will last for a year in the freezer. Pecans can last up to two years in the freezer. So stock up next time these nuts are on sale!

Can roasted mixed nuts be frozen? ›

When brought back to room temperature, these nuts were indistinguishable from batches of freshly toasted nuts. So as long as you seal them tightly to prevent freezer burn and softening, feel free to store toasted nuts in the freezer for up to one month.

How do you reheat spiced nuts? ›

In a saucepan on the stovetop, gently warm on medium heat until hot, constantly stirring roughly between 2 and 5 minutes. Place the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven set to 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Check and stir at the halfway point.

How do you store caramelized nuts? ›

Store in an Airtight Container

One of the most important things you can do to keep your candied pecans fresh is to store them in an airtight container. An airtight container will prevent air and moisture from getting in, which can help preserve the crunch and flavor of the pecans.

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