Sweet & Spicy Nuts

Sweet, spicy, and irresistibly crunchy—these nuts are a Christmas tradition in our home. As soon as the holiday season rolls around, a batch gets roasted in the oven, filling the house with the cozy scent of spice and sugar. They’re the perfect little treat for Christmas gatherings, gifting, or simply enjoying by the handful with a warm drink. This recipe has been part of our holiday rhythm for years, and we’re so excited to share it with you.

Feel free to half or double the recipe if desired.

Ingredients

• 6 cups mixed nuts (Use whichever configuration of nuts you like, you could also add pumpkin seeds)

• 4 1/2 Tbsp melted coconut oil or olive oil

• 3 Tbsp white sugar

• 3 Tbsp brown sugar (plus more for topping)

• 3 tsp ground cinnamon (plus more for topping)

• 1 healthy pinch cayenne pepper

• 2 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1 tsp sea salt

• 6 Tbsp maple syrup (divided in half)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C).

2. Add nuts to a bowl and toss with oil and half of the maple syrup. Top with sugar, cinnamon, cayenne, nutmeg, salt, and half of the maple syrup. Toss to coat.

3. Add nuts to 2 lined baking sheets (or 1 if you have reduced the recipe)

4. Bake for a total of 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant, tossing/stirring once at the halfway point to ensure even cooking. Then remove from oven and immediately drizzle with remaining maple syrup (3 Tbsp as original recipe is written – adjust if altering batch size). I also like to sprinkle on a little more cinnamon and brown sugar to coat, but this is optional.

5. Stir to combine/coat and enjoy warm or let dry/cool completely on the pan (they’ll crisp up as they dry/cool) before storing in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2-3 weeks (or in the freezer up to 1 month).

These make an excellent topper for things like salads, oatmeal, pancakes and roasted sweet potatoes. I love to add them to my charcuterie boards during the holidays. They also make a lovely gift! Portion into small jars, tie with ribbon or twine, and give the gift of plant-based goodness.