Spicy Sugared Cashews
A crunchy sweet coating plus a touch of heat, make these Spicy Sugared Cashews an irresistible snack. Plus, these Candied Nuts are now an award-winning recipe!
Candied Cashews make a wonderful holiday gift. Just package them in a cellophane bag with a festive ribbon and coordinating gift tag!
Why You Must Make
- I made these nuts plus a rosemary-spiced version and they won 3rd place at Eat Write Retreat, a food bloggers’ conference, last month in North Hollywood.
- They are super easy to make!
- They make a great hostess or holiday gifts! Just put them in a cellophane bag with a cute tag and a festive ribbon to tie it closed.
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Water, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Kosher Salt, Cinnamon, Fresh Rosemary (instead of Cinnamon)
- Egg White – At room temperature
- Whole Cashews – Unsalted (if you use lightly salted nuts, decrease the salt in the recipe)
- Fresh Rosemary – Finely chopped (only if using instead of Cinnamon)
- Cayenne Pepper – Use the smaller amount for a less spicy version.
Recipe Tips
- Beat your egg whites just until foamy. You don’t want to beat them until white and fluffy like when making meringue.
- If you’re not a cashew fan, try this recipe with your favorite nuts.
- Make sure to line your baking sheet with parchment or nonstick foil so they don’t get stuck to the pan while baking.
- Stir every 10 minutes or so to ensure all sides are browned.
- Besides giving these candied cashews for gifts, use them in salads or as an ice cream topping. They’re also delicious for snacking, of course.
Healthier Benefits of Nuts
Nuts are superfoods! So this is a healthier snack food than so many other options. They’re full of protein, good fats, antioxidants, and minerals, they are a terrific, healthy munchie. I coated these cashews in whisked egg whites then tossed them in a sugar mixture flavored with cayenne pepper, salt, and either cinnamon or chopped fresh rosemary.
I saved my swap treats for my airport snacks, except for the doggy treats for Izzy, but I quickly got rave reviews from those who couldn’t wait to dive in. Make these for your next gathering or pin this recipe for holiday gift-giving for your nutty friends!
How to Make Candied Nuts
Candied nuts are a fabulous food gift, game day, or cocktail snack. They’re simple to make once you master your initial attempt!
- First, whip your egg whites and water until foamy. Do not overwhip to a white meringue-like texture.
- Next, toss your nuts in the egg white mixture to coat.
- Then, toss in your seasoned sugar mixture.
- Spread your nuts evenly across a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake, stirring every 15 minutes to help them roast evenly.
- Cool and dig in!!
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be sugar, chocolate, or a mixture of sugar and spices like cinnamon.
They were first created in France, where they were originally made with almonds coated in sugar and spices.
Of course, these are delicious for snacking, but they also make a great hostess gift. They’re also tasty on ice cream sundaes, in salads or as holiday gifts.
They actually have some health benefits. Nuts are superfoods! Full of protein, good fats, antioxidants, and minerals
These nuts can get sticky if stored in a humid location. Store them in the refrigerator if you live in a humid locale.
Stored at room temperature in an airtight container, they’ll be good for up to a month. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
You May Also Like
- Microwave Peanut Brittle from Cake Whiz
- Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies
- Noel Nut Balls
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Vanilla Almonds
- Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
- More Snack Recipes
Spicy Sugared Cashews
Sugared cashews with two spicy options, cinnamon or rosemary!
Ingredients
- 1 egg white, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons water
- 3 cups cashews, roasted (if you use lightly salted nuts, decrease the salt in the recipe)
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼-½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Spice options
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon OR
- 1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300º. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In your stand mixer (may be done with a hand mixer or whisk), beat egg white and water till foamy (you do not want the whites to get white like when making meringues).
- Add the cashews and mix till they're well coated.
- Add sugar, brown sugar, cayenne, and salt. Stir.
- Add in your extra ingredient, either the cinnamon or rosemary, and mix well.
- Spread evenly over your prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes till browned. May cook more or less, just watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely, even overnight. Store in a covered container.
Notes
Adapted from Averie Cooks and Ina Garten.
May use other favorite nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1/4 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 246Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 401mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 6g
24 Comments on “Spicy Sugared Cashews”
This is SO addictive!! My kids couldn’t stop munching on these! So good!
Wow, these look like a wonderful snack! Love the spice combination and love cashews. Congratulations on your success with this recipe at the conference! I have to make these real soon 🙂
My grandpa would have LOVED these!
My husband recently bought some spicy sugared cashews and they were mediocre at best. I need to make these for him because they look so much better.
Will you promise to be my workout partner when I make these, please!
These would be gone in no time in our house!!
I love cashew nuts ! Specially roasted spicy cashew and this looks so good Liz 🙂
Helloooo snacktime! These look like one big bowl of spicy-sweet satisfaction. Can’t wait to try these!
Oh cashews are such a great choice! Love cashews and just tried cashew milk. Anyways really fun recipe to sugar coat and I always like the touch of heat!
How brilliant to make your own cashew nuts, Liz! I usually buy from the stores xoxo
Cashews are my favorite nut! And I imagine these are especially addictive! And they won you a year’s supply of eggs! That’s awesome. Sounds like you had a great time at the retreat! : )
I eat cashews every day! These would be dangerous 😉
These sound so good! Love the sweet and spicy combination!
It seems like a perfect snack to me!
Mmmmmmm, cashews!! Spicy and sweet sounds good.
I’m on a cashew kick right now and these look fab! These would be great to make in mason jars for the end of year teacher gift! TY 🙂
I’m not a big fan of cashews, which is weird because I loved them as a kid. I would totally try this recipe with another nut though. Your conference sounds great. I want to go to Hollywood so badly, and I’d take those pasteurized eggs too.
These sound so tasty – yum!
I wouldn’t stop eating until they were all GONE!!
Please pass the bowl over here! What a wonderful thing this is to have when guests drop by. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
I absolutely agree that these are the perfect snack! I love the cayenne and sweet combo. I’ll take a handful or two please!
Lovin’ all the spicy fun ideas! Happy Mother’s Day Liz-enjoy:@)
Yay! Now I have the recipe so we don’t have to wait for another visit from the Skinny Chick from Indiana =) Maybe you recall that David specifically asked for your spicy sugared cashews for his Sunday morning breakfast =)
These look absolutely irresistible, Liz! I love cashews and I’d be addicted to these!