Name: Spiced Roasted Nuts Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups raw unsalted nuts (pecans, walnuts, peanuts, cashews, or almonds); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup; 2 heaping tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped (or 2 ¼ teaspoons crushed dried rosemary); 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, heaping and packed; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt; Scant ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper; 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar; 2 teaspoons flakey Maldon sea salt

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If you’re anything like me, you know that the perfect snack is all about that irresistible mix of sweet, savory, and just the right amount of spice. Well, that’s exactly why you’ll love this Spiced Roasted Nuts Recipe. It’s the kind of recipe that transforms ordinary raw nuts into a flavor-packed snack sensation that’s perfect for parties, gift-giving, or just a cozy night at home. I’m excited to share all my tips with you so your version turns out just right—and trust me, once you make this, you’ll never go back to plain nuts again.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Flavors: The blend of maple sweetness, rosemary’s herbal notes, and a pinch of cayenne creates a snack that’s both comforting and exciting.
Simple Yet Impressive: It uses ingredients you probably already have, but the roasting and seasoning transform them into something special.
Versatile Snack: Perfect for munching solo, topping salads, or jazzing up cheese boards.
Easy to Customize: You can easily adjust spice levels or nut varieties to suit your taste or occasion.

Spiced Roasted Nuts, spiced roasted nuts recipe, flavorful nut snack, homemade spiced nuts, roasted nuts with spices - The image shows a white bowl lined with white parchment paper filled with a mix of roasted nuts including cashews, pecans, and peanuts, all golden brown with a slight shine from oil or seasoning. The nuts are heaped in the bowl, covering the entire surface. Next to the bowl is a small dark bowl with coarse salt and black pepper. A soft light blue cloth is casually placed on the white marbled surface beside the bowl. The scene looks clean and simple with natural daylight. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Spiced Roasted Nuts Recipe plays a role in creating that fantastic balance of flavors and textures. Here’s a quick rundown to help you shop smarter and understand why they’re in here.

Spiced Roasted Nuts, spiced roasted nuts recipe, flavorful nut snack, homemade spiced nuts, roasted nuts with spices - Flat lay of a natural mix of raw pecans, walnuts, peanuts, cashews, and almonds, a small piece of unsalted butter, a few fresh rosemary sprigs with finely chopped leaves in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of amber pure maple syrup, a small white bowl of light brown sugar, a small white bowl of ground cumin, a small white bowl of bright red cayenne pepper powder, a small white bowl of coarse sea salt, a small white bowl of freshly cracked black pepper, a small white bowl of golden turbinado sugar, a few flakes of Maldon sea salt, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Raw Unsalted Nuts: Starting raw and unsalted lets you control flavor fully—you choose the seasoning intensity without battling pre-existing salt or oils.
Unsalted Butter: Adds buttery richness and helps the spices cling to the nuts beautifully.
Pure Maple Syrup: Brings a natural sweetness that caramelizes slightly during roasting, adding depth.
Fresh Rosemary Leaves: Fresh gives that piney, earthy brightness that’s fragrant and uplifting; dried can work but fresh is where it’s at.
Light Brown Sugar: Packed for moisture and sweetness that balances the spice.
Ground Cumin: Adds a warm, smoky note that surprises you in the best way.
Cayenne Pepper: Just a little kick that wakes up the whole flavor profile.
Coarse Sea Salt: Gives contrast and crunch — it’s essential to brighten the flavors.
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity.
Optional Turbinado Sugar & Flaky Maldon Sea Salt: These finishing touches add extra crunch and sparkle if you want to go all out.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how flexible this Spiced Roasted Nuts Recipe is—seriously, it’s like a canvas where you can paint your personal flavor masterpiece. Over time, I’ve tried lots of little tweaks, and honestly, you can’t really go wrong. Feel free to dial up the cayenne if you’re a heat lover or swap rosemary for thyme for a different herb vibe.

Less Heat: When I serve this to friends who don’t do spice, I drop the cayenne down to half and it’s still packed with flavor.
Nut Swaps: Sometimes, I go full almond, sometimes I mix pecans and cashews for variety—that’s all good.
Sweetness Adjustments: If you like it sweeter, add a little more maple syrup or sprinkle extra turbinado sugar at the end.
Herbal Variations: Feel bold? Try fresh thyme or sage instead of rosemary—it takes the nuts in a whole new direction.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spiced Roasted Nuts Recipe

Step 1: Preheat & Prep for Success

First things first, set your oven rack to the center and preheat it to 350°F. This ensures even roasting. Then, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Trust me, it makes clean-up a breeze, especially with all that sticky maple and sugar involved.

Step 2: Infuse Butter with Rosemary and Maple Magic

Melt the butter gently—either in the microwave or on the stovetop. I usually melt it on the stove over medium-low heat, then stir in the finely chopped fresh rosemary. Let it hang out for a minute so it infuses fully. Then stir in the maple syrup. This combo is the secret heart of the flavor.

Step 3: Season Those Nuts

Grab a big bowl and toss in your raw unsalted nuts. Add brown sugar, ground cumin, cayenne, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Stir well to coat every nut with those spices before you drizzle in the rosemary butter. Then stir and toss again—get them fully coated so every bite is bursting with flavor.

Step 4: Roast to Golden Perfection

Spread the nuts out evenly on your prepared baking sheet—don’t crowd them, or they’ll steam instead of roast. Bake for 10 minutes, then pull them out and give them a good stir to keep things cooking evenly. Back in they go for another 5 to 8 minutes until they smell amazing and have that beautiful golden color. Remember, nuts darken a bit as they cool.

Step 5: Optional Sweet & Salty Finish

If you want to kick it up a notch, when the nuts are still hot, sprinkle them with turbinado sugar and flaky Maldon sea salt. It adds the perfect crunch and sparkle that makes the snack feel super special.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Give the nuts one last stir to separate any clumps, then spread them into a single layer on the pan to cool for about 15 minutes. I usually garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary when serving—it’s simple but adds that fresh herbal touch that looks and smells delightful.

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Pro Tips for Making Spiced Roasted Nuts Recipe

Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh rosemary makes a huge difference with its aroma and flavor compared to dried.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Spread the nuts out in a single layer so they roast evenly instead of steaming.
Let Them Rest: I always make these a few hours ahead or even the day before—the flavor deepens as the nuts absorb the spices.
Watch the Oven Closely: Nuts can go from perfect to burnt quickly—set a timer and stir halfway through roasting.

How to Serve Spiced Roasted Nuts Recipe

Spiced Roasted Nuts, spiced roasted nuts recipe, flavorful nut snack, homemade spiced nuts, roasted nuts with spices - A close-up image shows a mix of nuts spilling out from a red-striped container onto a dark surface. The nuts include cashews, pecans, walnuts, and peanuts, all roasted to a golden-brown color and lightly seasoned with small bits of herbs and spices, creating a textured and crunchy look. A sprig of fresh rosemary rests near the nuts, adding a touch of green to the warm palette. The white marbled texture background highlights the rich colors of the nuts and container, giving the scene a fresh, natural feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with a sprig of fresh rosemary right on top. It makes the dish feel a little fancy, plus that lovely herb scent adds to the experience. If you’ve added turbinado sugar or Maldon salt, that gives a natural sparkle and crunch that doesn’t need much more.

Side Dishes

This Spiced Roasted Nuts Recipe is a perfect snack alongside cheese boards with tangy cheeses like goat cheese or sharp cheddar. Also, try pairing it with fresh fruit—think crisp apple slices or juicy grapes—to balance the savory spice with fresh sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I love serving these nuts in small rustic bowls lined with parchment paper or inside decorative jars tied with a ribbon for edible gifts. You can also sprinkle them over warm oatmeal or salads to add a spiced crunch that’s unexpected and delicious.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I store leftover spiced nuts in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and flavorful for about 2 weeks, which is plenty of time to enjoy without them going stale.

Freezing

If I’m making a big batch, I freeze some. I just put them in a freezer-safe bag with as much air removed as possible and thaw them at room temperature before enjoying. The texture holds up surprisingly well after freezing.

Reheating

To refresh the crunch, I pop leftover nuts in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. This little step reinvigorates the flavor and crunch beautifully.

FAQs

Can I use salted nuts instead of raw unsalted nuts?

It’s best to use raw unsalted nuts so you control the saltiness and flavor. Salted nuts can make the snack overly salty and unbalanced, especially when combined with the other savory and sweet ingredients.
How spicy is this Spiced Roasted Nuts Recipe?

The recipe includes a moderate amount of cayenne pepper—about 1/4 teaspoon—which gives a gentle kick without overwhelming heat. You can reduce it for milder snacks or increase it if you like your nuts fiery.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, making these nuts a few hours or even a day before serving helps the flavors deepen. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature once completely cooled.
What nut varieties work best for roasting?

A mix of pecans, walnuts, cashews, almonds, and peanuts works beautifully, but you can use any nuts you love or have on hand. Just make sure they’re raw and unsalted for the best results.

Final Thoughts

This Spiced Roasted Nuts Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite go-to snacks. It’s the kind of treat that feels homemade but like you put a little chef’s magic behind it. Whether you’re grabbing a handful while watching a movie or sharing them at your next get-together, they never fail to get compliments. Give them a try—and I promise you’ll find yourself craving this mix of sweet, savory, and spice just like I do!