Spicy Nuts / Spicy Mixed Roasted Nuts

Spicy Nuts are full of flavors, super easy to make, and completely addictive! They are spicy, crunchy, and tangy and great for munching at any time of the day.

These Spicy Mixed Roasted Nuts are perfect for a snack, holiday parties, or to munch during long drive journeys. Also, they are fantastic to have at work as a healthy snack. It is a super easy way to turn raw nuts into nice toasty, and irresistible nuts.

Jump to:

• About Spicy Nuts
• Why You Will Love These Nuts
• Ingredients
• How To Make Spicy Nuts
• Storing Suggestions
• Variations
• Helpful Tips
• More Recipes Using Nuts
• Recipe Card

About Spicy Nuts

I love to keep a jar of spiced and toasted nuts. They are naturally more tempting and more exciting than raw nuts. I have already posted a recipe for Mixed Roasted Nuts / Sweet and Spicy Roasted Nuts, which are mildly spicy and more on the sweeter side.

But these mixed roasted nuts are flavorful, spicier, tangy, crunchy, and absolutely delicious. While red chili powder makes them spicier, Chaat masala and lemon juice add a balancing tanginess to these nuts.

The recipe is incredibly easy and takes only a few minutes to bring everything together. Also, this recipe is highly versatile. You can swap the nuts and spices to suit your taste preferences. This blend consists of my favorite nuts, almonds, cashews, and pecans. But you can add more nuts or simply omit the ones you do not like. 

Ingredients

1. Raw Mixed Nuts: I have taken almonds, cashews, and pecans in equal amounts for this recipe. But you can take the nuts of your choice. The other options are hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, or peanuts. Make sure to use raw and unsalted nuts for this recipe, and not roasted and salted nuts.
2. Oil: I have used light olive oil for this recipe. Only 2tbsp of oil, and that goes a long way. It is essential for crunchy nuts, and it also helps in binding spices to the nuts. But if you want, you can use melted butter for some more flavors.
3. Sea Salt: I have used fine-grain sea salt. The salt is not overpowering and helps to elevate the tangy and spicy flavors of the nuts. If you want to use table salt, use it in less quantity. Also, if you skip adding Chaat Masala or reduce the amount, you may need to add a little bit of extra salt.
4. Sugar: I have added a tablespoon of sugar, which perfectly balances the other flavors. However, you can reduce the amount of sugar to a teaspoon but do not omit it completely. Instead of sugar, you can add honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
5. Red Chili Powder: I have used red chili powder, which is not too hot. And so my nuts are mild to moderately spicy and provide the right amount of kick. You can adjust the chili powder as per your preference. Instead of red chili powder, you can also add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
6. Cumin powder: Adds pleasant flavor to the roasted nuts. You can adjust the amount of this spice according to your preference.
7. Chaat Masala: My absolut favorite ingredient! It provides flavors, tanginess, and a unique taste to these spicy nuts. It is easily available in any Indian grocery store.
8. Lemon Juice: It adds a fresh zing to the roasted nuts. Also, it balances the spiciness and enhances the flavors. Add lemon juice to your taste.

How To Make Spicy Nuts

• Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
• Line a large and rimmed cookie sheet or baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.

• Combine the oil, sugar, salt, red chili powder, cumin powder, chaat masala, and lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl.

• Add the nuts and toss well until they are entirely coated with the spice mixture.

• Spread them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

• Bake the nuts for 15 minutes, then stir them and shuffle them around. 
• Then continue baking for 10-15 minutes more or until the nuts are deeply golden.
• Keeping an eye on the oven after 20 minutes is crucial to ensure that nuts are perfectly roasted and not burned.
• Remove the nuts from the oven.
• Let them cool completely in the pan before serving and storing.

Storing Suggestions

• Store the spicy roasted mixed nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month.
• It also freezes well, stored in a freezer-safe container or bag for six months.

Variations

Nuts: Add any raw nuts of your choice. The suggestions are walnuts, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and peanuts.

Butter: Instead of oil, and if you do not follow a vegan diet, use melted butter for more flavors.

Sweetener: Instead of sugar, add maple syrup or honey.

Herbs: You can infuse fresh herb flavor into these nuts. Use 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary or dill. If you like, you can also add chopped fresh oregano or thymes.

Spices: Instead of red chili powder, add cayenne pepper to taste. The other options are hot paprika or smoked paprika.

Salt: I have used fine-grain sea salt. But you can also use flaky sea salt, kosher salt, or table salt. However, please note that you will have to adjust the quantity of salt depending on which one you are using. 

Seeds: Throw some sunflower or pumpkin seeds for more nutrition if you want.

Helpful Tips

• Make sure to use raw and unsalted nuts for the recipe.
• While baking, it is essential to stir the nuts in between for even toasting.
• Sugar enhances the flavor and provides a candied texture to the nuts. But you can add less amount of sugar if you want.
• If using salt other than fine-grain sea salt, adjust the quantity as needed. 
• Make sure to line the baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper; otherwise, the spice mixture will stick to the pan.

More Recipes Using Nuts

Recipe Card