Name: Sweet and Spicy Nuts and Pretzels
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 12 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups mixed nuts; 3 cups pretzel twists; 2 tablespoons butter; 5 tablespoons brown sugar; 2.5 tablespoons maple syrup; cayenne; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1.5 teaspoons salt

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Sweet and Spicy Nuts and Pretzels

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Sweet and Spicy Nuts and Pretzels

3 cups mixed nuts1 cup pecans, ½ cup almonds, ½ cup cashews, ½ cup hazelnuts, ½ cup mix of your favorites

3 cups pretzel twists

Instructions

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Instructions

Toast the nuts on a foil lined sheet for 3 to 4 minutes, then remove them from the oven and let them cool while you make the sauce.

Add butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cayenne, cinnamon, and salt to a small pot and cook until fully melted and emulsified, about 3 minutes.

Add the toasted nuts and pretzels to a bowl and toss with the sauce until everything is coated, careful not to break the pretzels. You can also toss everything with the sauce on the sheet tray but it will be more challenging (in our experience).

Bake the nuts and pretzels at 350°F on the same foil lined sheet for 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and use a spatula to toss the nuts, then place them back in the oven and bake for another 7 minutes.

Toss the nuts again, then let them cool completely before eating.

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Separate Your Mix for Even Coating 🥜
Toss nuts and pretzels separately with the butter-sugar mixture, then combine—this prevents the pretzels from absorbing too much liquid and becoming soggy while ensuring both get evenly coated.
Stir Every 5 Minutes for Perfect Crunch ⏱️
Stir the mixture every 5 minutes during baking to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning on the edges while maintaining that desirable toffee-like texture throughout.
Bloom Your Spices in Butter First 🧈
Melt the butter and whisk in cinnamon and cayenne before adding to nuts and pretzels—this releases the spices' essential oils and distributes their warmth and flavor more evenly.
Cool on Parchment for Easy Release 📄
Spread the hot mixture on parchment paper immediately after baking rather than a baking sheet; it cools faster, won't stick, and breaks apart into perfect bite-sized pieces as it hardens.
Use Low Heat and Watch Closely 👀
Bake at 325°F rather than higher temperatures to prevent the maple syrup and brown sugar from burning before the pretzels toast—this delicate balance creates caramelization without bitterness.