Addictive Things

I’d like to introduce you to the newest drug on the streets: Sweet and Spicy Nuts. These are one of those snacks that you can nonchalantly set out on the table during a party, turn around, and BAM. They’re gone. Not only will they be gone, but people will be itchin’ for more.

They’ll be going through your pantries and stuff.

You’ll be known as an official dealer in the sweet/spicy nut department which is a very enviable position. And in just this one instance, it’s okay to get high on your own supply.

Sweet Spicy Nuts

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5 from 1 vote

Author: Nick Evans

Servings: 16 Servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Walnuts and pecans tossed with a sweet and spicy mixture and baked. The results are maybe the most addicting snack ever.

Ingredients 

• 1 Cup brown sugar
• 1 Cup sugar
• 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
• ½ Teaspoon smoked paprika
• ⅛ Teaspoon cayenne, opt.
• 1 ½ Teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 Egg whites
• 1 Tablespoon water
• 1 pound walnuts
• 1 pound pecans, you can use all pecans or walnuts or many other nuts if you want

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Instructions

• Mix together sugars and spices in a large bowl. Whisk really well so the spices are evenly combined.
• Whisk egg whites with water until frothy, but not stiff.
• Toss nuts into egg whites and coat well.
• Sprinkle in sugar mixture and stir really well to combine.
• Lay out nuts in an even layer on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
• Bake at 300 degrees, stirring every 5 minutes or so.  They probably need to cook for 15-20 minutes until they are nicely browned.
• Remove and let cool.  Break up the nuts as they cool.

Notes

Adapted from a Smitten Kitchen recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5Cup | Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 558mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Appetizers, Side Dishes, Snack Time

Mixing up the product

These are pretty simple to make. You probably even have most of the stuff laying around your kitchen, except maybe the nuts.

Speaking of which, nuts can be pretty expensive. If you keep your eyes peeled though you can sometimes find them pretty cheaply for a few bucks a pound. Definitely check wholesale stores as well.

Take all your dry ingredients and just mix them up in a bowl. Make sure the spices are mixed in well so they evenly coat all the nuts.

If you want to give these guys an extra kick, add in some cayenne to the party. I left it out though and they were still spicy enough.

I’ve seen some recipes for nuts like this that use melted butter to get the sugar and spices to stick. That seemed a bit intense for me and I liked the idea of egg whites as a binder.

Just whisk up the egg whites with a tiny bit of water until it’s frothy, but not stiff at all. Then toss in your walnuts/pecans and stir really well so the nuts are very evenly coated.

Then toss in your sugar/spice mixture and stir until the nuts are very evenly coated.

Man these are good.

Lay these out on a few baking sheets (you’ll need two). Make sure to line them with parchment paper. The nuts will possibly burn if they are directly on the baking sheets because of all the sugar.

Bake these guys at 300 degrees for maybe 15-20 minutes. Give them a stir every five minutes or so and keep a close eye on them.

I burned a few of mine because I thought they’d be okay for 10 minutes or so.

Keep an eye on them and stir them every once in a while and you should be okay though.

Remove them after 15-20 minutes and let them cool. Break them up as they cool and then store them far away from people until you need them!

These are pretty dangerous to just leave around as a snack. Because you’ll eat them all.

I like to give them away as gifts though or they’d be great for say… A SUPERBOWL PARTY.

For as quick as these are to make, it’s almost silly not to try them out!