Spiced Cocoa Nuts Recipe

Introduction

Spiced Cocoa Nuts are a delightful snack that combines the richness of cocoa with a hint of warmth from cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Perfect for parties or a cozy treat, these nuts offer a sweet and spicy crunch that’s simply irresistible.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pecans
• 2 cups cashews
• 2 cups almonds
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg white (from an extra large egg)
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Arrange oven racks to the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, white sugar, cocoa powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and salt, breaking up any lumps in the brown sugar.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk egg white and water vigorously until foamy and light. Add the nuts and toss with a spatula until the nuts are completely coated, glossy, and tacky without any liquid remaining in the bowl. If needed, add more nuts to absorb excess liquid.
4. Step 4: Fold the spice mixture into the coated nuts until fully combined.
5. Step 5: Divide the nuts evenly between the prepared baking sheets, spreading into a single layer. Place one pan on the upper rack and the other on the lower rack and bake for 10 minutes.
6. Step 6: Remove the nuts from the oven, stir or flip them, and swap the baking sheets’ rack positions. Bake for another 10 minutes.
7. Step 7: Let the nuts cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a heat-proof bowl to finish cooling. The nuts will harden and become crisp as they cool.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, you can toast the nuts lightly before coating them with the egg white mixture.
• Adjust the cayenne pepper to taste if you prefer a milder or spicier snack.
• Try swapping cinnamon with smoked paprika for a smoky twist.
• Make sure the nuts are well coated but not swimming in liquid to ensure even roasting.

Storage

Store the cooled spiced cocoa nuts in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to two weeks. If they lose some crunch, briefly warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of nuts?

Absolutely! Feel free to use walnuts, hazelnuts, or even pumpkin seeds depending on your preference. Just keep the total quantity similar to the recipe.

Is it okay to skip the egg white?

The egg white helps the spices stick to the nuts and creates a glossy coating. Without it, the spices might not adhere as well, but you can try using a light spray of water or a small amount of oil as alternatives.

Spiced Cocoa Nuts Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 134 reviews

Spiced Cocoa Nuts are a flavorful and crunchy snack mix featuring pecans, cashews, and almonds coated in a spiced cocoa and cinnamon sugar blend with a hint of cayenne pepper. These nuts are baked to perfection, creating a sweet, spicy, and slightly chocolatey treat that crisps up as it cools, perfect for snacking or gifting.

• Author: Rami
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 6 cups spiced nuts 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Nuts

• 2 cups pecans
• 2 cups cashews
• 2 cups almonds

Spiced Sugar Coating

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt

Binding Mixture

• 1 egg white (from an extra large egg)
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Arrange the oven racks to the center positions and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set aside.
2. Mix Spices and Sugars: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, white sugar, cocoa powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and salt. Break up any lumps of brown sugar to ensure an even coating.
3. Coat Nuts with Egg White: In a large bowl, whisk the egg white and water vigorously until the mixture becomes foamy and light. Add the pecans, cashews, and almonds to the bowl and fold them with a spatula until they are fully coated with the egg white mixture, creating a glossy and tacky surface with no remaining liquid at the bottom.
4. Add Spice Mixture: Sprinkle the prepared spice and sugar mixture over the coated nuts and carefully fold until all nuts are completely covered with the spiced coating.
5. Bake the Nuts: Divide the spiced nuts evenly between the two prepared baking sheets, spreading them out into a single layer. Place one sheet on the upper oven rack and the other on the lower rack. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the trays, stir or flip the nuts to ensure even cooking, swap their positions in the oven, and bake for another 10 minutes.
6. Cool and Store: Allow the nuts to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes until they firm up and crisp. Transfer them to a heatproof bowl to finish cooling completely before storing in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Notes

• Ensure nuts are evenly coated with egg white for the best spiced coating adhesion.
• Stirring and swapping baking sheets midway through baking ensures even roasting and prevents burning.
• Allow nuts to cool completely before storing to retain their crisp texture.
• Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the level of spiciness.
• Use parchment paper or silicone mats on baking sheets for easy cleanup and to avoid sticking.

Keywords: spiced nuts, cocoa nuts, cinnamon nuts, spicy snack, roasted nuts, sweet and spicy nuts, homemade snack