party nuts!

PARTY NUTS!!!!!

This is the final recipe I developed for season 1 of my podcast, Friends with Food. I did it!! It’s been a hell of a year, y’all. Whew. What more can I say other than try these nuts! They are fun, festive, easy, and delicious! Great for a party, cocktail hour, snack boards, cheese plates, or just eating from a plastic container on the couch. Whatever you do for fun! I don’t know your life!

party nuts

makes 2 cups of nuts. double for a bigger party.

2 cups raw nuts (half cup each raw almonds, pecans, peanuts, and pepitas, or any combination that you like)

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

1/8 tsp cayenne

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp soy sauce

flakey salt (optional)

special equipment: parchment paper

Preheat the oven to 325F. Position the rack in the center of the oven. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place your nuts on the lined pan and set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together the spices, oil, syrup, vanilla, and soy sauce. Pour the sauce over the nuts and mix thoroughly until everything is well-coated. You can use a spoon for this, but your hands work the best! Spread the nuts so they are in a single layer.

Put the pan in the oven and set a timer for 10 minutes. Remove the pan and mix everything thoroughly. Return to oven and set a timer for 5 minutes. Remove pan from oven and mix again. When the nuts are done the liquid will be evaporated and the nuts will be browned but not burned. If the nuts need more time, return to the oven to 3-5 minutes. Do not go far, as they can go from perfect to burned quickly! Stir again, and if the nuts need more time return them to the oven for a few minutes at a time, keeping a close eye on it. When the nuts are beautifully browned and the pan is dry, remove pan and set on a rack to cool. Stir the nuts one more time and sprinkle with flakey salt, if desired. The nuts will still be a little sticky, but this will lessen as they cool. When the nuts are completely cool, break up and clumps and transfer to a sealed container. Serve at parties with your favorite drinks, and keep any leftovers in a sealed container at room temperature.