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Indian Spiced Mixed Nuts

LIZ DELLA CROCE

12/07/2023

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Updated:

12/26/2024

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These sweet and savory Indian spiced mixed nuts are full of warm spices including cinnamon, cardamom, and brown sugar. Perfect for snacking, entertaining, or gifting.

Grabbing a handful of Indian spiced mixed nuts.

Table of Contents

One of my favorite holiday traditions is getting in the kitchen to create edible gifts to hand out to our extended family on Christmas Eve. The big event takes place at my mom’s house, and we usually host 35 or more family members. Coming from a long line of foodies, it probably doesn’t surprise you that I’m not the only one handing out edible gifts. In fact, every year I bank on getting a fresh jar of my Aunt Paula’s Clarified Butter (Ghee) or, as we call it, Syrian butter. We love bringing different goodies that are easy to snack on, and this year we are making big batches of my sweet, salty, and slightly spicy Indian Spiced Mixed Nuts, inspired by some of my favorite Indian flavors!

Ingredients

Mixed nuts: You can make your own mix, or use a store-bought tin. I like to use a combination of almonds, pecans, and walnuts. You could also use cashews or peanuts!
Coconut oil: A healthy way to coat the nuts and mix the spices together.
Brown sugar: Makes the nuts have a hint of sweet, and it blends well with the spices.
Garam masala: An Indian spice blend that is commonly used in curries and other dishes, it adds great flavor to the nuts.
Cinnamon: A little sweet, warm, and woody in taste, cinnamon pairs well with both the sweet and savory elements.
Cardamom: Another common Indian spice, it also has notes of sweet and spicy flavor, along with some citrus undertones.
Salt: Salt is necessary to both balance out the flavors, and enhance natural flavors of the nuts.
Cayenne: Really adds a nice kick of heat to the nuts. If you’re worried about them being too spicy, leave it out.

How to Make Indian Spiced Mixed nuts

Start your Indian spiced nuts by melting your coconut oil in a large bowl. Once melted, whisk in the spices, brown sugar, and salt. Stir until fully combined.

Add the nuts to the bowl and toss to coat well in the spice mixture. Then dump onto a prepared baking sheet, either sprayed with cooking oil or lined with aluminum foil.

Spread out into an even layer, then toss in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, tossing halfway through.

Once done, let sit until they are cool enough to touch. Then enjoy your Indian Spiced Mixed Nuts warm from the oven, or at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What nuts are used in Indian cooking?

Pistachios, cashews, peanuts, and almonds are all commonly found in Indian dishes.

How do you get seasoning to stick to nuts?

There are a lot of different mediums you can use, including coconut oil, olive oil, or butter. Some recipes even have you use egg whites!

How long do home roasted nuts last?

These spiced nuts will last in an airtight container for up to a week.

More Edible Gift Ideas

Eat It, Like It, Share It!

Did you try these mixed nuts? The next time you make them, snap a picture and share it to your socials. Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your snack.

If Indian inspired flavors aren’t your jam, get creative and make your own favorite spice blend. These nuts would be just as delicious with a little smoked paprika and sea salt, cinnamon and brown sugar, or olive oil and rosemary. The options are endless!

No fork required.

Hi, I’m Liz!

Hey there, I’m Liz Della Croce and I’m thrilled to have you here! My aim is to motivate and ignite your passion for cooking amazing meals for your loved ones. I believe in the power of real, wholesome ingredients that are bursting with flavor and won’t break the bank. Whether it’s a traditional Lebanese recipe from my family or a culinary creation from across the globe, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that nutritious food can be exciting, affordable, and easy to prepare.