.jpg?e0c879 "Sweet and Spicy Candied Nuts via A Thought For Food")
.jpg?e0c879 "Sweet and Spicy Candied Nuts via A Thought For Food")
I do my best not to stress out… I really do. I plan ahead, tell myself to keep calm… I’ll even sip on some wine to take my mind off of things. But hosting a party, no matter how small, makes me freak a little.
It doesn’t help that this is the season for holding and attending parties… actually, it’s out of control how many we have. There was “Friendsgiving,” followed by Thanksgiving… then a Day After Thanksgiving brunch, and a “Leftoversgiving” party (I’m so thankful I don’t eat meat because I’d be really tired of turkey at this point). Now we’re gearing up for Chanukah and Christmas parties… which will bring us to New Year’s. I’m exhausted thinking about it.
In preparing for this busy holiday season, it’s important to have a list of recipes that are easy to make for a party. Since whipping up these sweet and spicy candied nuts a few weeks ago, I knew I wanted to share it with all of you. It really doesn’t get much easier than this and people go nuts over them (oh dear.. I can’t believe I just typed that.)
.jpg?e0c879 "Sweet and Spicy Candied Nuts via A Thought For Food")
Sweet and Spicy Candied Nuts
Ingredients
3 cups unsalted nuts, a combination of pecans, walnuts, and/or cashews
1 large egg white
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg white and a splash of water until it is foamy.
3. Add nuts, sugar, spices and salt to the bowl and toss to combine with egg.
4. Pour mixture onto the lined baking pan and, using a spoon, evenly spread out.
5. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and toss to break up nuts. If they are still wet, bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until dry.
7. Take the pan out and let cool before serving.
Tags: Appetizers, Gluten-free
I always freak out before having a party too, but it always turns out! And with you as a host, I bet it will be smashing. Have fun!
Seriously, all the party-going and party-hosting is INSANE! I’m basically a ball of nerves, constantly. But with these nuts in my repertoire…really can’t go wrong. Not only are they perfect for stress eating, but they also seem like the perfect accessory whether you’re hosting or attending a party.
Sweet and spicy is kinda my thing, so I will be making these in short order!
Love candied nuts, especially when a little spicy!
I make something almost identical for holiday gift baskets; some things in that basket change every year but these are requested and they are easy…I call that a winner!
I used to stress more about parties but the truth is…I was the only one who was stressed; my guests were not paying attention to the every detail that I thought I had to. I’ve forced myself to let things go more and the truth is I actually have fun too. Go figure!
I freak out like 5 million times a day, so I might need your spicy nuts (SORRY) to calm me down. Yum.
I freak out so much while hosting a party that I end up cooking twice the amount of what is required. These candied nuts look fantastic!
My favorite kinda snacks for a party!! Love the recipe! Beautiful photos!
My husband like to leave the house a few hours and arrive with the guests, because he doesn’t want to be around me! lol
Recipe looks AMAZING!!
It’s hard to not stress out when there are so many activities in such a short time, I think we all get frazzled around this time of year. Hand me a bowl of these and a cocktail and I’d be all set.
This is so perfect! I love easy recipes this time of year especially.
these rock Brian! I am featuring this on my fan page asap!
I might have to go home tonight and make a batch of these. They are calling my name.
These candied pecans are the best-You can never eat just a few.
Entertaining can be stressful. I do my best to keep things simple. As soon as I complicate it, I am stressed.
Happy Holidays to you.
Velva
Sweet and spicy flavors combined are so addicting! Lovely photos.
I am prone to freaking out a little when entertaining too. I guess I am just easily overwhelmed? These seem like they’d be a real crowd-pleaser though–I love the spicy kick!
Yep, no matter how prepared I am – I always get stressed out before hosting a party. And we have quite a bit of those planned for the next month. I better stock up on these nuts! Love the spices combination!
Nuts with spices are really good, especially when they are home made!
Nope, I don’t really freak out about parties & entertaining, but you can never have too many snacks on hand because I always end up spending longer in the kitchen than planned and nobody likes their guests to starve
These sound heavenly!
The hit of cayenne in here sounds amazing. Can’t wait to give them a try (I love it when people use puns. It tells me that they’re a bit nutty, like me!)
Nice nuts
I enjoy adding chopped rosemary to the mix.
So yummy! I love spicy nuts to munch on and for salads!
The candied pecans I have made a lot, but the addition of cayenne pepper is very intriguing. Thanks for the idea.
MMMnnnnn!!!!. . . I LOVES me some nuts, especially when they are sweet and spicy.
Nueces son mis favoritos.
If I were the type of person that actually hosted parties, I’d be a nervous wreck. But I think by the time everyone arrived I’d relax and enjoy myself. Plus, I’d make these nuts to impress people…
It’s not a party unless the host freaks out beforehand. GREG
Hey Mister Brian man, you adding a zing to the holidays! I always wanted to make these but never did. Considering how simple the recipe is I don’t know why I never bothered, but LOVE munching on them just the same. & I remember you mentioning friendsgiving or was it just a gathering at your house, I wan’t in town for.
Sounds wonderful!
Hi friend. What a gorgeous start to the month. Is there anything better than freshly roasted nuts? I could eat these by the cupful. I’m sorry I’ve been so absent! I haven’t been blogging much for the past few months. SO many changes. But I’m back, and I’m glad to be here. As always. Hugs and love.
Ha! My husband never understands why I have a mild freak out while preparing for a party. Thank goodness now I can tell him that I’m not alone.
Every time I came to visit your blog, I leave with a wonderful idea! Thanks!!! We do not celebrate Thanksgiving in Argentina, but anyway, we already started with “end of the year” parties at work, and different groups of friends… so I can relate to your feeling! Warm hug from Buenos Aires! and Thanks a lot for all your wonderful ideas!
what a brilliant cocktail snack to have out at Christmas gatherings!
I haven’t made sweet and spicy nuts like this in ages. This is perfect for any party or a party just for me:)Love this, Brian!
Where were you a couple weeks back, I needed this recipe! These would be perfect served alongside a cocktail or as a holiday gift! Love the seasonings – sweet and spicy!
I’m all about sweet & spicy, what a fab holiday snack!
I may be the only person that has yet to make a version of this. Yet I love them! Yours look and sound so good!