Spicy Candied Almonds (2024)

Spicy Candied Almonds are pretty incredible. The sweet and spicy combine with the crunch of the nuts in an addictingly delicious way. You’re going to want this Spicy Candied Almonds recipe on repeat for fun snacks and salad toppings all year long.

Serve these cinnamon roasted almonds as a topping on our favorite Pear and Blue CheeseSalad with Balsamic Dressing for a phenomenal starter or lay them out for a fun appetizers idea for New Year’s Eve.

Years ago my mother-in-law served us these chipotle spiced almonds that were out of this world. I think I ate the whole pound standing there at her kitchen counter. They were delicious for snacking, added a tasty crunch to salads, and made an elegant appetizer for a holiday meal. We loved them so much, I had my sister export them to Kansas for me!

And then, I realized that I could make my own. Now you can, too!

Why Make This

They are so easy to make! These cinnamon candied almonds come together in minutes with just a handful of ingredients. It’s one of those budget-friendly appetizers everyone loves.

They’re totally vegan and gluten-free. Unlike other candied nut recipes that call for egg whites and sugar, these Spicy Candied Almonds have maple syrup, making them suitable for most folks at the table.

They are delicious. I warn you you’ll need to make a double batch if there’s more than one of you in the house. These Spicy Candied Almonds are that good. These are one of my favorite salad toppings. They add so much flavor! And with family at the holidays, these are one of our favorite kid-friendly Thanksgiving side dishes.

They make great gifts. Skip the Christmas markets, these sweet and spicy nuts make perfect food gifts, at Christmas and all year long.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to makeSpicy Candied Almonds:

maple syrup – I think the lightness of real maple syrup is just perfect for these candied amonds, but if you don’t have it, you can make an approximation by following the sugar variation below.

spices – You’ll needground cinnamon,ground cumin,ground allspice,chipotle chile powder, andground cayenne pepper. I’ve found this combination to be out of this world delicious, so try to include them all. that said, I realize that you might run out of something or can’t find it or fit it in the budget. Try your own spice combos and see what you like best. Pumpkin Pie Spice would be amazing!

whole almonds – Obviously, you need almonds for candied almonds, either raw almonds or roasted almonds work.In a pinch, this candy coating can be used on pepitas, walnuts, pecans, or cashews. You can even use a mixed nuts blend if that’s what you have.

Sugar Variation

Instead of maple syrup, you can combine ¼ cup light brown sugar or granulated sugarwith a tablespoon or so of water to make a fake syrup. Heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves and then proceed with the recipe.It won’t have the maple flavor, but it will be delish all the same. Add a dash of vanilla extract to jazz it up.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to makeSpicy Candied Almonds:

• Preheat the oven to 300 °. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat mat.
• In a medium bowl combine the maple syrup and the spices. Whisk to blend.
• Add the pepitas and toss to coat. Spoon the pepitas out into a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pepitas are glazed. Cool the pepitas slightly and then break apart into clusters, if necessary. Let the almonds cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

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This post was originally published on November 2, 2011. It has been updated for content and clarity.