Homemade Sweet and Spicy Christmas Nuts

If you have odds and ends of nuts clogging up your cupboards then this is a great way to clear them all whilst also putting them to the most delicious use. This recipe allows you to use any type of nut, anything goes!

​It's a pretty simple recipe and if you like those honey roasted nuts you buy in the supermarket then this is a huge level up from them. The blend of spices used here gives them a much richer flavour rather than cloyingly sweet. And I like the spice but feel free to dial it back a bit if needed.

​I'll show you how to make these in no time at all, using no special equipment and lots of substitutes if you don't have exactly what the recipe says. These are very versatile and I guarantee will be a huge hit.

Why You'll Love These Sweet and Spicy Nuts

​Versatile. You can use any leftover nuts you have to hand. The more nuts you use in the mix the more interesting the finished flavour.

Easy gluten-free nibble. Gluten-free guests are often under-served where nibbles and appetisers are concerned. These are naturally gluten-free.

Christmas gifts. Make up a double batch so you can gift these nuts out. They look lovely presented in mason jars with a festive ribbon.

Table stable. Unlike some other dips and appetisers which tend to look a little woesome if left out too long, these nuts can be brought out in the morning and will last all day for your guests to nibble on.

Ingredients Needed

Mixed nuts. You can use any combination of your favourite nuts or leftover ones you have in your larder. I will often include pecans, cashews, pistachios, macadamias, hazelnuts.

Sesame seeds. These little seeds coat the nuts giving everything a lovely savoury flavour.

Chilli powder. You can use any chilli powder but a special shout out goes to chipotle powder which will add a little smoky personality.

Cumin & coriander seeds. The combination of these two spices adds real depth.

Unsalted butter. Use unsalted as then we can control the amount of salt in the recipe. You can switch for olive oil or coconut oil if you need a plant-based option.

Honey. You can swap for brown sugar or maple syrup if you need a plant-based option.

Sea salt. I like using a finishing salt in this recipe like maldon sea salt.

How To Make Sweet and Spicy Christmas Nuts

For full recipe instructions go to the recipe card at the end of this post.

Preheat the oven to 190°C / 170°C fan-assisted / gas mark 5 / 375°F.

In a large bowl, mix together the nuts, sesame seeds, salt, chilli powder, cumin, and coriander seeds. Melt the butter with the honey, then pour it over the rest of the ingredients, mixing well to coat everything evenly.

Spread the mixture out on a baking dish lined with baking parchment.

Bake for 10 minutes, then stir the nuts and continue to bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the baking dish before transferring to a serving bowl.

More Christmas Appetisers You’ll Love

These Gluten-Free Mini Quiches are a great recipe when you are in need of a delicious appetiser or pastry bite. They are loaded with tasty cheese, caramelised onions and smoky bacon but you can totally customise the filling however you want.

These Gluten-Free Frangipane Mince Pies really level up your Christmas baking game. The butteriest flakiest gluten-free pastry (made without xanthan gum) is filled with your favourite mincemeat and topped with a luxurious almond cream which bakes up into a fluffy almond blanket.

This Whipped Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Dip is a deliciously simple vegan appetiser that combines the sweetness of roasted butternut squash with the smoky warmth of cumin and the vibrant flavour of red pepper.