Texan BBQ candied nuts

These Texan BBQ flavoured candied nuts are my present nibbling obsession. Savoury sufficient for pre-dinner drinks. Simply candy sufficient to be an after dinner deal with! You might even bundle them up and present – assuming they don’t mysteriously “disappear” beforehand….

Hi there weekend. And good day social gathering nuts!

I’ve been that means to share a candied nuts recipe for ages, being my go-to manner to make use of up half-empty nut packets. I used to be going to maintain it basic with simply cinnamon……. however then I made these BBQ spiced ones and couldn’t return.

Smoky, savoury, candy and a teeny bit spicy, impressed by Texan barbecue flavours, these nuts have a crisp sweet coating (not sticky!) and are dangerously moreish. Put out bowls for pre-dinner drinks and also you’ll should preserve topping them up as a result of everybody retains “simply having another!”

Elements in Texan BBQ candied nuts

Right here’s my favorite nut mixture for these social gathering nuts, however use what you’ve bought and what you want, whether or not roasted or uncooked. For even cooking, attempt to use nuts across the identical dimension.

The nuts: Use any unsalted nuts, uncooked or roasted, however goal for related sizes in order that they roast evenly (eg. don’t combine pistachios with Brazil nuts). I used cashews, almonds, and pecans – I like the mixture of textures and flavours. Pecans get additional sweet caught in crevices whereas cashews get a shiny toffee coat – I like this distinction. And sure, totally different nuts = totally different flavours!
Uncooked vs roasted? Uncooked is right as they roast whereas candying, however I’ve used each (and combined uncooked with roasted) and truthfully couldn’t inform a lot distinction. I feel the sweet coating gives safety so the warmth that will get inside is extra ambient than for bare nuts – robust sufficient to roast uncooked nuts however not so harsh that it burns already roasted nuts. Concept – however gosh, does that sound like I do know what I’m speaking about?!!🤣
Different nuts: I’ve completed this with combined nuts, single sorts (pecans = fave), and every little thing in between. I wasn’t an enormous fan of pistachios with the spice combine, and Brazil nuts are a bit chunky for my style. However actually, go along with what you like!
White sugar works higher than brown (bit extra sticky). Honey and maple don’t crisp up as nicely, they’re sticky too (within the portions we’d like for this recipe).
Butter – Smidge of fats to assist the sweet coat the nuts a bit extra evenly and offers it a beautiful shine. Plus – butter flavour. We like, at all times! 🙂
Spices – Chipotle and smoked paprika carry smokey Texan vibes to the spice combine, then the opposite spices are assist acts. However don’t fret if you’re lacking one or two! As with most recipes with plenty of spices, you’ll be able to change and sub:
- Smoked paprika – it’s paprika, however smoky. 🙂 Not spicy. Substitute with common paprika (aka candy paprika) or spicy paprika should you dare.
- Chipotle powder is spicy and superbly smoky – sub with extra smoked paprika + 1/4 tsp cayenne (skip cayenne for no spicy)
- Cumin and coriander – if lacking one, go away it out. If lacking each, you gained’t get Texan Cowboy vibes. 🥲
- Garlic and onion powder could be substituted with extra of both.
- Cayenne pepper – Further spice kick for the courageous.

How one can make Texan BBQ candied nuts

The straightforward technique to make candied nuts is to do it solely on the range or solely within the oven. Way back I used a hybrid methodology from Chef John of Meals Needs (hilarious and is aware of his stuff, I like him!) and I’ve by no means regarded again: make the sweet coating on the range, toss with nuts, then end within the oven.

Sure, it’s one additional step however it’s price it as a result of the top result’s higher: no burnt patches (infamous range downside), decrease upkeep, with a light-weight even coating on every nut that’s crisp and dry, not sticky.

BBQ sweet coating – Soften the butter then add the sugar, water, all of the spices and salt. Give it a mixture then simmer gently for two minutes, stirring repeatedly so the bottom doesn’t catch. Going for the complete 2 minutes is vital right here to get a superb dry crispy coating on the nuts, fairly than the sticky kind that will get caught in your tooth.
Pour the sweet coating straight over the nuts.

Toss nicely! Take a superb 30 seconds and a rubber spatula to toss nicely and coat the nuts as evenly as you’ll be able to. The sweet coating ought to all stick with the nuts, no pool on the backside of the bowl – as a result of we went a bit additional on the range to toffee it nicely.
Bake – Unfold the nuts in a single layer on a foil and paper lined tray then bake for 10 minutes at 180°C/350°F (160C fan-forced).

Toss nicely (I take advantage of a rubber and metallic spatula collectively) then bake for additional 10 minutes till deep golden. There ought to be no toffee on the paper, it’s all caught to the nuts – yay!
Break up and harden – Let it cool for 10 minutes on the tray then break it up together with your fingers into particular person nuts (simpler to do when barely heat). Then go away it to completely cool so the sweet coating crisps up. Then – assault!

Retailer these in an hermetic container in a cool dry place for a few weeks. If it’s very popular and humid the place you’re, they could get a bit sticky however that is simply mounted – simply pop it within the oven for five minutes then let it absolutely cool once more.

It’s Friday. I do know you’ve bought a hodge-podge of random nuts in your pantry, simply ready for use. What are you ready for?!! These nuts and a beer are calling your identify!!! 😊 – Nagi x

PS Forgot to say – they make a fantastic present too, as a result of they preserve for weeks. 🙂 Additionally wonderful so as to add to platters, roughly chop and sprinkle on salads.