A fun and tasty twist on peanuts, these Homemade Beer Nuts are perfect when you’re craving a sweet and salty treat. Easy to make & great for sharing!
Easy Roasted Nuts
I can’t help but think of my Grandpa Renelt every time I reach into the pantry for the jar of peanuts. He loved to snack on a handful of salty peanuts, and I’m pretty sure he would have approved of these Homemade Beer Nuts!
This easy snack recipe is a fun and tasty twist on peanuts, perfect for when I’m craving a little bit of sweet with my salty. They’re a great nibble for watching some football, hanging out on the summertime patio, or any time of year, really. And while a cold beer is not required to wash them down, it’s definitely a great combo!
Do you remember the original Beer Nuts? You know, the kind in the little round canister with the plastic lid. I’ve been snacking on them since I was a kid, thanks to my dad. While this recipe is not an exact replica of that famous snack, I still promise you that these beer nuts are awesome delicious. They’re made with a minimum amount of ingredients and come together quickly, promising a light and crunchy texture that’s hard to resist!
What You’ll Need
These homemade sweet and salty baked nuts are made with just 3 ingredients, plus water!
- Water
- Sugar – Granulated sugar gives the sweetness to this snack.
- Cocktail peanuts – Even though I like to stick with the classic peanuts for this recipe, you can also use cashews, walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, or even a variety of nuts.
- Sea salt – Adds the salty to the sweet!
How to Make Beer Nuts
This roasted nuts recipe is quick and easy to make.
- Boil. Stir together the water, sugar, and peanuts in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once the water is absorbed it will turn to a grainy sugar consistency.
- Bake. Spread the coated peanuts on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how crunchy you want them.
Other Seasoning Ideas
While I love this simple sweet and salty combination, there are many options when it comes to roasted party nuts. Here are a few ideas for optional add-ins:
- A splash of sriracha or hot sauce
- Cayenne pepper
- Rosemary
- Chipotle powder
- Cinnamon
- black pepper
Tips for Success + Variations
Here are a few things to keep in mind when making this sweet and spicy nut recipe.
- Use fresh nuts. Be sure to check that your nuts are fresh, especially if they’ve been hanging around in your pantry for awhile. Stale nuts will not make a great snack!
- Make sure the water evaporates. You do want the mixture to reach a boil, as that is what allows the water to evaporate, creating the crunchy, grainy texture that adheres to the nuts.
- Can I use other types of nuts? While I definitely like to use peanuts, any type of nut will work here. Pistachios, almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, or a mixture. Use what YOU like to eat!
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these homemade beer nuts by the handful straight from the bowl, serve them up at a party, or pack them in your lunchbox. These are a great treat to keep in your bag to prevent any hangry moments too!
How to Store
Beer nuts can be stored in an airtight container at cool room temperature for a couple weeks.
More Snack Ideas:
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Homemade Beer Nuts
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup water
- 1.5 cups sugar
- 16 ounces cocktail peanuts
- 1 tablespoon course sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300° F.
- In a medium saucepan over medium to medium-high heat, stir together water, sugar, and peanuts. Bring to a boil. Boil, stirring regularly, until water is absorbed. It will turn from a syrupy consistency to a grainy sugar consistency.
- Spread peanuts out onto a rimmed 11″ x 17″ pan, breaking up any large pieces of peanuts that have clumped together. Sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes for a lighter coating and crunch, or 30 minutes for a deeper darker coating, stirring after the first 15 minutes. Let cool on pan. Store in an airtight container at cool room temperature once completely cooled.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
This post was previously published in 2011. Photographs and some of the text were updated 2022.
I adjusted the math for what I had, but these turned out great. Thanks for the technique!
I love to hear this, Allison. Thank you so much for coming back here to let me know + rate the recipe. Happy New Year!
These are super easy and very good. I made a second batch with dark brown sugar. Kicked them up a notch. Great for gifting. thanks for sharing
So glad you liked this recipe, Elizabeth! Thanks for coming back to let me know and to rate the recipe. :)
My husband loves these beer nuts