Tossed with Cajun seasoning and a splash of hot sauce, these easy Spicy Mixed Nuts are always a crowd-pleaser. This customizable, zesty snack is ready in about 40 minutes, including cooling time.
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What We Love About These Spicy Mixed Nuts
Mixed nuts are a family favorite for snacking, entertaining, or adding to a cheese board at holiday gatherings. This Spicy Mixed Nuts recipe stands out for several reasons:
- Simple prep and cleanup — you only need one bowl, a sheet pan, and about five minutes of hands-on work before roasting. It’s ideal for busy weekdays or holiday baking marathons.
- Totally customizable — pick your preferred nut mix and adjust the heat and salt. Add more cashews, skip walnuts, or swap hot sauce types to control spice and flavor.
- Great for gifting — spoon the cooled nuts into a mason jar, tie with a ribbon, and you have a quick homemade hostess or holiday present.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Shelled, unsalted raw mixed nuts. Use a blend you enjoy — almonds, pecans, walnuts, and cashews work well. Note that smaller nuts (peanuts, pistachios) can roast faster, so adjust timing or exclude them if desired.
- Olive oil, vegetable oil, or unsalted butter. A small amount helps the seasoning cling to the nuts.
- Hot sauce. Any preferred brand works; adjust the amount for heat. The original recipe used Tabasco Original Red Pepper Sauce, but milder or hotter sauces will change the final spice level.
- Cajun seasoning. A blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and other spices. Salt levels vary by brand — add kosher salt to taste if your blend is low in salt.
Want to make your own Cajun seasoning? See the Notes section in the recipe card below for a simple DIY blend.
How to Make Cajun Spiced Mixed Nuts
This recipe is straightforward. Start by whisking oil and hot sauce in a large bowl, then add the nuts and stir until they’re evenly coated. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the nuts and toss again to combine. Spread the nuts in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake on the middle oven rack at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, until the nuts are golden and fragrant, stirring gently halfway through. Watch closely toward the end to prevent over-browning. Allow the nuts to cool completely on the sheet pan before storing.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1–2 weeks, though they often get eaten much sooner.
Recipe FAQs
Q. How can I make this mix spicier?
A. Increase cayenne or use a hotter hot sauce. You can also choose a spicier Cajun blend or add extra cayenne to the seasoning before tossing the nuts.
Q. How can I make this mix milder?
A. Use a milder hot sauce or reduce the amount of hot sauce and cayenne. Substituting Creole seasoning (which often has more herbs and less heat) will also soften the spice profile.
More Easy Snack Recipes
- Spiced Pepitas
- Caramelized Pecans
- Cherry Almond Granola
- Pumpkin Granola
- BBQ Snack Mix
- Ranch Crackers with Dill
Spicy Mixed Nuts
Ingredients
- 3 cups raw mixed nuts (such as almonds, walnut halves, pecan halves, and cashews)*
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and place a rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and hot sauce. Add the nuts and stir to coat. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the nuts and toss until well coated.
- Spread the seasoned nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake 15–20 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring gently halfway through. Watch closely toward the end so they don’t burn.
- Let the nuts cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for 1–2 weeks.
Notes
If your Cajun seasoning is low in salt, add 1/2–1 teaspoon kosher salt to taste.
DIY Cajun seasoning: combine 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste), 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1/8–1/4 teaspoon cayenne (increase for more heat).
For a milder, more herbal profile, substitute Creole seasoning.
Nutrition Estimate
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guide.
Recipes use US customary measurements and have not been tested for high altitude cooking or baking.
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