This easy Spiced Nuts recipe, with fresh rosemary and thyme, is perfect for nibbling and gifting during the holiday season. Tossed with a touch of sugar and spicy cayenne pepper, you get the best of both sweet and savory worlds!
I’ve been making this Spiced Nuts recipe for years, gifting the nuts in small jars, with ribbons tied around the top. And I like to offer them as little nibbles before a holiday meal or on a Christmas Charcuterie Board with an Eggnog Cocktail or pitcher of Christmas Sangria. This recipe has become a favorite with all our family and friends!
Why Everyone ❤️s This Spiced Nuts Recipe
There’s no way around it. I just have to make a giant batch of these rosemary & thyme spiced nuts every year!
- Simple. Just mix the nuts with warm, herb-infused oil and simple spices, and place them in the oven to roast for 15 minutes.
- Great for gifting. Pack them in small jars or gift bags for the yummiest holiday gifts. Everyone loves this homemade treat!
- Festive. These mixed spiced nuts are a special appetizer perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
What You’ll Need
Smokey, earthy cumin and a little touch of spicy cayenne add savory deliciousness to every crunchy, irresistible bite. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact ingredient amounts.
- Nuts – I use equal amounts of whole roasted cashews, pecans, and almonds.
- Olive oil – This helps to coat the nuts evenly with flavor.
- Herbs – Fresh rosemary and thyme add gorgeous, unexpected flavor.
- Cumin – One of my favorite spices!
- Cayenne – This dried pepper powder adds a faint bit of heat.
- Sugar – A small amount of sugar contrasts with the overall savory flavors in this recipe.
- Salt & pepper – Simple seasonings bring this recipe altogether.
How to Make Spiced Nuts
Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card and instructions.
- Create the spiced herb oil. Warm the oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the rosemary and thyme, and infuse for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the cumin and cayenne pepper.
- Season the nuts. Place the nuts in a heat-proof bowl and pour the infused oil over the top. Stir to coat evenly. Then sprinkle with sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Bake. Transfer the seasoned nuts to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, stir, then bake for another 5 minutes. Remove from the oven. Let cool completely and enjoy!
Tips & Variation Ideas
When it comes to easy appetizer recipes for the holidays, these nuts are top of list. Here are a couple of my top tips + a few variations for you!
- Use roasted, salted nuts. I do not recommend using raw nuts in this recipe. The nuts only roast for 15 minutes, to adhere the herby spiced oil – so I like to start with roasted nuts, for the best flavor and texture. I usually buy my nuts at either Trader Joe’s or Fleet Farm…my parents and in-laws swear by the nuts at Fleet Farm, for both quality and price!
- Don’t let the oil burn. When infusing the oil with herbs and spices on the stovetop, keep the temperature low so it doesn’t burn.
- Use other nuts. Swap any of the nuts in the recipe for pistachios, macadamias, peanuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, or Brazil nuts for an easy variation.
- Sweeten them up. Swap out the herbs, cumin, and cayenne for a sprinkling of cinnamon and nutmeg (or pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice) instead.
- Make them spicy. Add more cayenne and give these nuts some extra zing!
- More add-ins. Once cooled, stir in 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins, or mini salted pretzels.
- Double it! Probably my best tip. I always double, triple, or quadruple the recipe. Our whole family loves this recipe, and the spiced nuts ALWAYS disappear fast…especially with entertaining and gifting during the holiday season!
Package Them For Holiday Gifting
This irresistible spiced nuts recipe makes for beautiful holiday gifts. I like to use airtight jars, to extend their freshness. For extra flair, tie a pretty bow onto the jar. Give them away as gifts to friends, teachers, pastors, etc. Hand a pretty jar of nuts to the hostess with the mostest. Or set them on the table as party favors at your next holiday gathering!
How to Store Spiced Nuts
Store spiced nuts in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Keep them away from direct heat, sunlight, and humidity for best results.
More Holiday Appetizers
- Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
- Bagna Cauda (Italian anchovy dip)
- Shrimp & Crab Dip
- Classic Deviled Eggs
Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted, salted whole cashews
- 1 cup roasted, salted whole almonds
- 1 cup roasted, salted whole pecans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Morton kosher salt (If using pre-salted nuts, you might want to add less salt here.)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Place nuts in a medium heatproof bowl.
- Pour oil into a small heavy saucepan and place over medium-low to low heat until just warm. Do not let it get too hot – the oil will burn.
- Add rosemary and thyme, and stir until aromatic, about 1 minute.
- Remove pan from heat, then stir in cumin and cayenne pepper. Pour the flavored oil over the nuts and stir to coat evenly. Sprinkle nuts with sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir again.
- Transfer nuts to a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes total, stirring after the first 10 minutes.
- Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
How long will these keep, if made ahead of time? My fresh rosemary and thyme, in my garden, have a limited lifespan with colder temperatures on the way! I would really like to utilize the herbs while I have them. Thank you, these look delicious!
I just made the recipe and i became crazy about it its super yummy!!!!! I took photos but i dont know how to post them. Thanks for the recipe
So very yummy! Thank you for coming back to let me know!
Nuts are already a great treat. How much more if you add the scent. It will indeed be a great game snack. I love it. ;)
Such a great finger food/snack to serve on the game day. YUM.
These were the perfect snack to have in the house today!
Addictive, right?!?!
It was so addictive! Can’t wait to make it again!
New snack obsession!