If you’re looking for a little bit of sweetness for your sweet tooth, and a little bit of spice for your wilder taste buds, then try this sweet and spicy nuts recipe.
You can use whatever nuts you prefer, but here we’ve used rosemary roasted pecans, as first choice. However, we enjoy them equally with pecans and walnuts or a any kind of nut mix.
Sweet and Spicy Nuts Recipe
There is something magical about when the two different flavors of sweet and spicy are perfectly combined. Who knew that they would compliment each other so well?
The first bite gets your taste buds primed for that brown sugar flavor, and then it’s quickly followed up with the smooth and slow burn of that warming dash of cayenne pepper. It’s like a perfect little tasty match made in heaven.
Healthier Holiday Snacks
Not only does this recipe scream holiday fun, it’s a great snack to make for all your year-round snacking needs as well. This sweet and spicy nuts recipe with rosemary roasted pecans stays delicious for up to a month after they are made.
Sweet and spicy nut recipes are great make-ahead snacks. Whether for Thanksgiving appetizers or that holiday road trip, make ahead treats are healthy and delicious and travel well.
Gourmet Style Gifts
And homemade nut mixes such as this sweet and spicy nuts recipe make great holiday gifts and host/hostess gifts as well.
Making up a batch of these pecans are a great way to give a tasty homemade gift that is certain to be unique, and delicious!
What I love the most about this recipe? It’s flexible and adaptable, easy to make, yet has the appearance and flavor of a gourmet snack.
If you are looking for a little more sweetness, then all you need to do is add a little more sugar and a little less cayenne pepper. Or on the flip side, if you want to breathe fire after eating one of these pecans, pour on that cayenne pepper and just have a little dab of sugar.
Tickle your taste buds with your preference of ingredients with this fun and delicious recipe! So you may wish to make extra as well so you’ll have some to enjoy and some to give away.
Sweet and spicy rosemary nuts
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1.5 tsp fresh rosemary chopped
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 egg whites
- 1 lb pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Mix together the brown sugar, salt, rosemary, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. In a larger bowl, mix the egg whites together. Mix the walnuts in egg whites until they are all coated. Add the sugar mixture and mix well, until the mixture is evenly dispersed amongst all of the pecans .
- Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake about 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a plastic or glass container. These will keep in an airtight container for about a week.
Variation for Sweet and Spicy Nuts Recipe
I used pecans for my recipe, but you can make this recipe with other nuts as well: give it a try with almonds, walnuts or mixed nuts.
You can also use other spices. I love the rosemary, but you can try oregano, thyme, sage or parsley. If you have a garden like we do, then of course you’ll want to use your fresh garden herbs.
And instead of brown sugar, you can use honey or maple syrup. So many options, so go with your personal preferences and/or whatever you have on hand.
You may also enjoy these easy Christmas appetizers for everyone.
Have fun experimenting with your own favorite herbs and spices. We’d love to hear how it turns out and see your photos.
