Easy Spiced Nuts
These easy spiced nuts are made on the stovetop and requires less than 15 minutes. They're sweet, savory, and spicy with a "numbing" twist from Szechuan pepper, perfect for holiday gifting or everyday snacking!
- Prep time
- 2 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 6 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 cup pecan halves (, or nuts of your choice)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoon water
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt (, fine (coarse salt could work too))
- ¾ teaspoon ground paprika (, or chili powder)
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorn ((optional but recommended))
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne (, or more if you prefer it spicer)
Instructions
- 1
Add all the spice mix ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. Set aside until needed.
- 2
In a large skillet or nonstick pan over medium high heat, add the sugar and water. Stir occasional until the sugar has dissolved and starts to bubble. Add the nuts and stir to coat. Continue stirring the nuts until the syrup dries, leaving sugar granules on the nuts, about 1-2 minutes.
- 3
Once the syrup has completely dried, reduce the heat to medium low. Continue to cook and stir the sugar coated nuts until the the sugar starts to caramelize, about 3-5 minutes. Occasionally break up any nuts that get stuck together.*Adjust the heat to what you feel most comfortable. Sugar at this point can easy caramelize and burn. Take the pan off the heat if it becomes too hot or when needed.*
- 4
When the nuts are partially caramelized, turn off the heat. Immediately add the butter and stir until it's completely melted and coating the nuts. Sprinkle in the spice mix and stir until the spices are evenly distributed.
- 5
Transfer the spiced nuts to a sheet pan and let let them cool completely before serving or storing.