Description
Spicy-sweet candied pecans, almonds, and cashews coated in a buttery Texan-style sugar glaze with smoked paprika and chipotle—crispy, bold, and perfect for snacking or gifting.
Ingredients
1½ cups pecans
1½ cups raw unsalted almonds (or toasted)
1 cup raw unsalted cashews (toasted ok too)
1½ tsp kosher/cooking salt (or ¾ tsp table salt)
25 g (1½ Tbsp) unsalted butter
½ cup white sugar
2 Tbsp water
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp chipotle powder (or substitute ¾ tsp extra smoked paprika)
½ tsp coriander powder
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Sea salt flakes (optional finish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 °C (350 °F, or 160 °C fan). Line a baking tray with foil and parchment.
- In a large bowl, combine pecans, almonds, cashews, and salt.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add sugar, water, smoked paprika, chipotle, coriander, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook about 2 minutes, stirring to prevent burning.
- Pour the hot glaze over the nuts and toss immediately to coat thoroughly.
- Spread coated nuts in a single layer on the baking tray. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring and flipping halfway to ensure even browning.
- Remove from oven and cool undisturbed for 10 minutes. Break up clusters gently while warm and allow to fully cool (~30 minutes) until coating hardens.
- Optional: sprinkle with sea salt flakes once cooled.
- Serve immediately or pack into jars for storage or gifting.
Notes
- Use toasted nuts to reduce bake time by ~5 minutes.
- Ensure glaze is thick and clings—avoid pooling.
- Break clusters while warm to separate pieces easily.
- Swap cayenne/chipotle for milder or bolder heat as desired.
- Coconut sugar or maple sugar works for a paleo variation; use dairy-free butter for vegan.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes candy + 20 minutes baking
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop & Oven bake
- Cuisine: Texan-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
