Smoked Paprika Spiced Nuts - These smoked paprika spiced nuts feature a mix of almonds, walnuts, and pecans roasted with warm spices, maple syrup, and a hint of heat for addictive sweet-savory snacking. The nuts become deeply toasted and fragrant, with the spice blend creating a flavorful crust that clings to each piece. Smoked paprika provides subtle smokiness, while cayenne adds just enough heat to keep you reaching for more. Ready in just 20 minutes with mostly hands-off cooking, these nuts make perfect party snacks, salad toppers, or homemade gifts that store beautifully for weeks.

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Smoked Paprika Spiced Nuts - This recipe works because roasting nuts at a moderate temperature (325°F) allows them to toast evenly without burning the spices or sweeteners. The egg white technique creates a light, crispy coating that helps the spices adhere without making the nuts greasy. After testing various sweeteners, maple syrup proved ideal—it adds subtle sweetness without being cloying and creates beautiful caramelization. The spice blend balances sweet (cinnamon), smoky (paprika), and heat (cayenne) in proportions that complement rather than overwhelm the nuts' natural flavors. My approach here focuses on technique: stirring halfway through roasting ensures even browning, and cooling completely on the baking sheet allows the coating to crisp properly. The nuts continue to crisp as they cool, so patience yields the best texture. This demonstrates how a simple method can transform basic ingredients into something special with minimal effort.

Dietary Notes

✓ Make-Ahead Snack
✓ Holiday Gift Idea
✓ Protein-Packed
✓ Gluten-Free Naturally

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Why You'll Love This

Perfect Coating Secret: The egg white creates a light, crispy shell that helps spices cling without making nuts greasy.
Balanced Flavor Profile: Sweet maple, smoky paprika, warm cinnamon, and subtle heat create addictive complexity.
Weekend Project Simplicity: Just mix, roast, and cool—minimal active time for impressive, gift-worthy results.
Versatile Usage: Enjoy as snack, sprinkle on salads, top oatmeal, or package as thoughtful homemade presents.

Smoked Paprika Spiced Nuts

👩‍🍳 Author: Chef Nour

⏰ Prep Time: 5min

❄️ Cool Time: 15

🔥 Cook Time: 15min

🥨 Yield: 8

🍞 Method: Roasting

🌾 Diet: Vegetarian

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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restaurant Ingredients

3 cups raw mixed nuts
1 large egg white
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

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✏️

raw mixed nuts A combination of almonds, walnuts, and pecans provides varied textures and flavors. Raw nuts toast more evenly than pre-roasted varieties. Choose unsalted to control sodium levels. The different sizes and shapes create interesting texture variation in each handful.
egg white The egg white creates a light, airy coating that helps the spices adhere without adding oil. Beat it just until frothy—overbeating creates too much foam. This technique results in crispy nuts that aren't greasy, with the coating clinging beautifully to each piece.
pure maple syrup Maple syrup adds subtle sweetness and helps create that irresistible crispy coating. Its liquid form distributes evenly over the nuts. The caramel notes complement the smoky paprika particularly well. For a different flavor, honey can substitute in equal measure. Swap
smoked paprika Smoked paprika provides the signature smoky depth that makes these nuts special. Use sweet (dulce) smoked paprika rather than hot unless you want additional heat. The smoking process gives it complex flavor that regular paprika lacks.
ground cinnamon Cinnamon adds warm, sweet notes that balance the paprika's smokiness and cayenne's heat. It creates that holiday-spice feeling without being overwhelming. A little goes a long way—too much can make the nuts taste like dessert.
garlic powder Garlic powder adds savory depth without the risk of burning that fresh garlic would have at this roasting temperature. It distributes evenly through the coating. This umami note makes the nuts more addictive and complex.
cayenne pepper Cayenne provides subtle heat that builds gradually. Start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust based on your preference—the heat should be background, not dominant. It wakes up all the other flavors and keeps you reaching for more.
fine sea salt Fine sea salt dissolves into the coating better than coarse salt. The salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors. Adding a little extra after roasting provides satisfying salty bursts that contrast with the sweet-spicy coating.
fresh rosemary Optional but highly recommended, chopped fresh rosemary adds piney, aromatic notes that complement the other spices beautifully. Chop it finely so it distributes evenly. Rosemary's robustness stands up to roasting without losing its character.

list_alt Instructions

1

Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper - this moderate temperature toasts nuts evenly without burning the spices or sweeteners.
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Step 2: In a medium bowl, lightly beat the egg white until frothy but not stiff - this creates the base coating that will help spices adhere to the nuts during roasting.
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Step 3: Add maple syrup, all spices (paprika, cinnamon, garlic powder, cayenne, salt), and optional rosemary to the egg white and whisk until well combined - the mixture should be smooth and evenly colored.
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Step 4: Add nuts to the spice mixture and toss until every nut is thoroughly coated - use a spatula to ensure even distribution of the coating.
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Step 5: Spread nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 15-18 minutes, stirring halfway, until fragrant and golden - stirring ensures even browning and prevents burning.
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Step 6: Remove from oven, sprinkle with a little extra salt if desired, and let cool completely on the baking sheet - the nuts will crisp up as they cool, so resist eating them hot.

Nutrition Facts

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Calories 210

Protein 6g

Carbs 9g

Fiber 3g

Sugar 4g

Fat 18g

Sodium 160mg

Potassium N/A

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Serving Suggestions

Serve cooled nuts in small bowls for casual snacking or package in decorative jars for gifts. For parties, present in a large wooden bowl with a small spoon for serving. These nuts pair beautifully with cheese boards, adding crunch and spice contrast to creamy cheeses. They also make excellent salad toppers—crumbled over greens with goat cheese and dried fruit.

How to Store?

Store completely cooled nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. The low moisture content and roasting process preserve them well. For longer storage, freeze in freezer bags for up to 3 months—thaw at room temperature before serving. If nuts lose crispness, refresh in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes, then cool completely.

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