Candied nuts are the ultimate fall snack, and this Pumpkin Spice Candied Nuts recipe is SO simple!
These sugared almonds and pecans are candied with a blend of pumpkin pie spice, white sugar, and brown sugar to make the most irresistible snack! Plus, a step-by-step video!
Do you remember the days when airlines used to provide food for free?
Like peanuts, at the very least?
Ah, the good ‘ole days.
It wasn’t until my first plane ride at the age of 9 or 10 that I actually appreciated nuts (once I learned that honey roasted peanuts existed and tasted like nothing I’d ever known). Before then, nuts really only belonged in candy dishes on my grandparents coffee table, which I only went near when M&Ms were lurking in the bowl, for obvious reasons.
#chocolateiseverything (Case and point: Chocolate Espresso Donuts)
Despite my proclamation that chocolate is all you need in life, you might actually need these too.
Nuts candied in sugar and pumpkin pie spice are bomb. #eloquent
While mixed nuts might be traditional to have sitting out, it might be time to shuffle the cards and make these the new candy dish staple.
And! For the pinteresting, crafty types out there, can we just discuss for a second how adorable these would look gifted in mason jars wrapped with twine?!
Personally, I think baked goods/food gifts are so fun because they add such a personal touch to the gift!
Granted, I’m also a really big fan of food. While receiving a box of homemade fudge, toffee, or these nuts would legitimately bring me comfort and joy, someone else may prefer a real gift they can actually use instead of eat.
I know, it’s weird.
Plus, homemade gifts are cheap.
Especially when you realize just how many gifts you need to purchase each holiday season.
Teachers, neighbors, friends, acquaintances…
All of the people who give you gifts that you now feel semi-obligated to give gifts to…
#justkeepin’itreal
Let’s just say, the holidays get real expensive, real quick.
So, how do you make candied nuts (or in this case, how do you make pumpkin spice candied nuts)??
All right, so, candied nuts are actually ridiculously easy.
This is based off a recipe from an old family friend. A lot of candied nuts recipes require egg whites and/or baking in the oven, which, for me, sounds like a bit of a hassle.
Recipes that call for egg whites then leave me with a bunch of egg yolks that I have not clue what to do with, so they end up sitting in the back of the fridge for months, and by the time I remember them, they’ve pretty much turned into a jr. high science project.
Oy.
So, for the above reasons and more (I won’t bore you with more long-winded sentences), I adore this recipe.
Water, brown sugar, granulated sugar, & spices. Next, a few minutes of stirring on the stove, and you’ve got yourself the most addictive little snack.
Boom. Pumpkin Spice Nuts on the quick.
Guys, you’re going to go nuts over these.
Ha.
- 1 1/2 cups raw almonds whole
- 1 1/2 cups raw pecans whole
- 1/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground all spice
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- cinnamon sugar for sprinkling (optional)
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In a large saucepan, over medium-low heat, combine all ingredients except nuts. Stir until all sugar and spices have dissolved completely.
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Add in almonds and pecans, making sure all nuts are coated with the sugar mixture.
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Once coated, stir constantly (on med-low heat) for about 7-8 minutes, or until there is no more liquid in the pot. Remove from heat immediately (otherwise the sugars might burn).
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As soon as the nuts are done, pour nuts onto a sheet of parchment paper to cool (make sure they are flat and in a single layer, otherwise the nuts will stick to each other). If you want to sprinkle with cinnamon sugar to give them a 'sugared' look (as pictured), do it while the nuts are cooling so the cinnamon sugar will stick.
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Enjoy!
Here are some other recipes I think you’ll go nuts over!
Nutella White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Bars
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Mmm I’m such a sucker for any kind of spiced nut! This pumpkin version sounds perfect Michelle. I’m pretty sure I could munch on these all day long!
Michelle says
Thanks so much, Gayle!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
You’ve totally got my number with these, they sound amazing.
Michelle says
Thanks, Sue!
Adam says
Nice recipe!
This just gave me an idea to make a keto-friendly snack, using macadamia nuts instead of almonds, and replacing the sugar for honey. Adding a bit of pink himalayan salt as well, until I get something that tastes just as good 🙂
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Oh man, this looks like the snack I’m having this friday for movie night! And I”m not sharing… delish!
Michelle says
Haha! Thanks, Krista!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
These look addictive- I’d be snacking on these all day and they’d be gone in a flash 🙂
Michelle says
Thanks, Medha!
Sara says
I wouldn’t be able to stop at 1 handful of these, I may make them to go on the appetizer table at thanksgiving!
Michelle says
Thanks, Sara!
Beth says
I am going nuts over these… !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michelle says
Haha! Thanks, Beth!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
Oh man I wish I had a handful of these nuts!! They look out of this world! Yum!! PS Why doesn’t airports give you yummy snacks anymore? 🙂
Michelle says
Thanks, Cyndi! 🙂
Laura | The Kiwi Country Girl says
Going nuts alright! These look amazing!
Michelle says
Thanks, Laura! 🙂
Erren @Erren's Kitchen says
These look addictive! YUM
Michelle says
Thanks, Erren!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I know if I started eating these, I’d actually never stop.
Michelle says
Haha, they are addicting! Thanks, Renee!
Michelle @ Blackberry Babe says
Yum! These look awesome and EASY!
Michelle says
Thanks, Michelle! 🙂
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says
This is SO creative! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Michelle says
Thanks so much, Becky!
Sonia Vanderby says
My mom and I made these for our big family Thanksgiving this year. We only used almonds (pecans were really expensive) and it was delicious!! Everyone loved them for snacking on before dinner. It was tough to lay them out in one layer to cool; some were still touching and stuck together, but we could easily break them apart before putting in bowls around the room. I highly recommend!!
Crystal says
Can I sub pumpkin spice for all the spices above? If so how much?
Michelle says
Hi, Crystal! Yes, you can sub pumpkin pie spice. I’ve done it before and used 1 1/2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice. I still like to sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon sugar on the nuts at the end (but, I also have a sweet tooth 😉). Thanks!
Lydia says
Made these last minute for company. They made the house smell wonderful and tasted even better. I did opt for a hint of cinnamon sugar and they were ready to eat in no time at all.
These are now on my list to give as a holiday gift to friends, thank you for sharing this scrumptious recipe. ❤️
donna says
No way to easily print. Huge pics are annoying at best… takes a week just to scroll through the page. If there is a decent recipe too hard to use.
Michelle says
Hi Donna, I work extremely hard to provide people with step-by-step photos and careful detail to ensure the baking process goes smoothly. This is my style, and that is the type of posts you will find here. There are plenty of other sites, such as Food Network and All Recipes that simply give you the recipe if that’s what you’re looking for. 🙂 Thanks!
Shell says
Love how simple this recipe is!! So good too.! The video is super helpful, by the way!