Sweet and spicy Honey Roasted Cashews are a delicious snack for cooler weather. Honey and chili powder give the yummy cashews their sweet heat and crunchy coating. Ideal for gifting.
These sweet chili roasted cashew nuts were inspired by a peanut snack we often served during our trip to Cambodia. I especially loved the peanuts we were served poolside at our hotel. They were perfectly salty, sweet and spicy all at the same time. I even detected a hint of lemongrass.
For my homemade version, I decided to make sweet and spicy roasted cashews instead of peanuts. The raw cashew nuts are coated in a honey-chili mixture and roasted to perfection in the oven. Afterwards they are tossed in a salt and sugar mix to keep from sticking together.
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Ingredients (& Substitutions)
- honey - use liquid honey, or warm creamy honey to make it more fluid
- cayenne pepper - or other ground chili powder. Chipotle powder is great too for a smoky flavor addition
- raw cashew nuts - or other favorite nuts
- coconut sugar - white granulated sugar works too
- sea salt
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Microwave the honey with the cayenne pepper until liquidy
Toss the raw cashews with the chili honey mixture until they are coated
Spread cashews onto parchment paper lined baking sheet; roast for 10 to 15 minutes (stirring after 5 minutes) or until they are golden
Toss roasted cashews with sugar and salt mixture after they have cooled for 5 minutes
Hint: Allow the cashews to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. Otherwise residual warmth may cause condensation, which will liquify the honey coating again and make the roasted nuts very sticky.
Variations
The beautiful thing about this sweet and spicy honey roasted cashew recipe is that it is incredibly versatile. You can change up the types of nuts or seasonings and spices you use to make it all your own. Here are some suggestions.
- Cinnamon Honey Roasted Cashews - If you aren't a fan of the spiciness that cayenne offers, simply replace it with ground cinnamon for a festive, warming flavour.
- Replace the Cashews With Other Nuts For Honey Roasted Nuts - While cashews are a delicious nut and a favourite among so many people, you can replace them with any other delectable nuts such as hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, or peanuts which can help if you have plenty on hand to use up. Just make sure the nuts are whole so that they hold up to a similar roasting time as the cashews.
- Add Some Dried Fruit - If you adore trail mix-type snacks, adding a little dried fruit such as dried cranberries, apricots, or pineapple would be wonderful in this recipe. Simply stir the dried fruit into the cashews after roasting them to ensure the fruit maintains its suppleness.
Storage
These easy honey roasted cashews are sure to get eaten quickly, especially if left out in a bowl. But if you need to store them for some time, simply place them in an airtight container such as a mason jar until you are ready to serve or gift them. They should keep fresh for several weeks although they may have a softer texture the longer they sit.
If you would like to store your cashews for longer, you could also place them in a freezer bag and put them in the freezer. They should keep fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months although they will likely have a stickier feel to them once thawed.
Top Tips
- To ensure that the honey is loose enough to coat the cashews entirely, make sure you warm it up in the microwave a little. You can also warm it gently on the stove if you don't have a microwave.
- To prevent the nuts from burning, make sure you set a timer and keep a watchful eye on the cashews while they are roasting. Stirring them once in a while will ensure they brown evenly.
FAQ
To make spicy cashew nuts, coat raw cashews in a mixture of honey and chili, then roast them in the oven. After roasting, add salt and coconut sugar for texture and to prevent sticking.
Overindulging in cashews can lead to stomach discomfort for some individuals. Moderation is key to avoiding any digestive issues. Stick to recommended serving sizes to enjoy them without any adverse effects.
Cashews typically have a naturally mild, buttery flavor, but when roasted with honey and chili, they can take on a sweet and spicy taste profile. Adjust the honey and chili levels to suit your desired sweetness and heat.
If you would like to give these sweet and spicy roasted cashews as gifts, you can present them in a mason jar with a cute ribbon and maybe even a recipe card. You could also make a festive label to go on the mason jar to make it look extra whimsical.
The cashews should stay fresh for 2-3 weeks when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. However, you can freeze them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months for longer storage if you like.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Honey Roasted Cashews Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or other ground chili powder
- 12 ounces raw cashew nuts (about 2.5 cups)
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or unprocessed cane sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F/160°C and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Stir together honey and chili powder. Microwave for a few seconds to liquify the honey even more. Add the raw cashews and toss to coat.¼ cup honey, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 12 ounces raw cashew nuts
- Spread the cashew nuts on the prepare baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 10-15 minutes. Stir after 5 minutes and keep a close eye. Take the nuts out when they look just a little darkened. You don't want to burn them.
- While the cashews are roasting, stir together coconut sugar and salt. Let the nuts cool for 5 minutes, then toss in the sugar-salt mix.2 tablespoons coconut sugar, 1.5 teaspoons sea salt
- Let nuts cool fully and store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Pin Honey Roasted Cashews Recipe for later?
Lynn beam
I’m always giving these phenomenal cashew for gifts. They are easy and delish☺️
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
They definitely make wonderful gifts! I'm so glad you like them!
Dianna Kane
This recipe is AMAZING!!!! Did half cashews & half raw peanuts. Gave them as gift for Christmas and they were much loved!! Made so many batches just to have enough! Lol
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
I'm so glad you loved this recipe! I'm sure it was wonderful with the peanuts.
Lori
I made a double batch of these and we all loved them! But mine were still a bit sticky after. Should I have roasted them longer? (I used raw sugar, that’s what I had).
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
Hi Lori! Roasting them longer should help. Honey can take on moisture in the air, so depending on the honey you bought or how or where you had it stored, it could have taken on more moisture which might take a little longer to dissipate during the roasting process. However, it's also possible that the cashews would have required more roasting time if they were crowded on the baking sheet. All ovens are different too so they may just require a little longer in your oven. I hope this helps but let us know if you have any other questions. 🙂
Lori
Thanks Jennifer. I’m definitely going to keep trying because I do think they are awesome! (And the stickiness didn’t stop them from being eaten).
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
I'm so glad to hear that! 🙂
Camille McIntosh
These are are absolutely delicious and very addictive!! We are vegan so I substituted maple syrup for the honey. Once I removed them from the oven, I immediately tossed in the cane sugar and salt, spread the nuts back on the parchment paper to cool. I make theses constantly and plan on giving them in our neighborhood gifts baskets we hand out every year!
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
Thanks for your lovely review, Camille! They are definitely wonderful for gifting! 🙂
Em
Just made these, been experimenting with roasted honey nut recipes. So far this has been my fave, and the easiest.
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Em! Thanks for letting us know how it worked out for you!
Eileen
These were perfect. Yummy I’m going to try it with almonds too. Thank you for the recipe.
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
Thanks for the great review, Eileen! I think they would make a lovely snack over the holidays.
Sharie Meade
Oh my goodness! I made these at Thanksgiving and they were a huge hit with family and friends. I had to make 3 more batches! My only comments are- have the coconut sugar measured out in a large bowl with a lid and pour the cashews in as soon as you take them out of the oven- don’t let them coolant all.Put the lid on and shake them immediately. I also added more cayenne pepper because we like things hot. These are super easy and delicious. Perfect gift to take to neighbors or parties for hostess gift. I cannot say enough about how delicious they are!
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
I'm so happy you loved this recipe, Sharie. Those are wonderful tips as well.
Maureen
Hi Regina:-)
I just had to review these mixed nuts again this Christmas. I made them the day before Christmas Eve and did them slightly different than last year which seemed to help with the stickiness I experienced. First of all I always use Trader Joe’s 16 oz Raw Mixed Nuts. I used honey and half tsp each cayenne pepper and chili powder. I roasted them 5 minutes, removed and stirred on the parchment paper lined cookie sheet really well for 2-3 minutes to coat everything. At that point I sprinkled the coconut sugar and salt mixture over them, put them back in the oven and roasted another 5-6 minutes. I removed from oven and transferred the entire batch to another parchment lined baking sheet and kept mixing them so they wouldn’t stick together. It took approximately 5 minutes. This method worked! I think it’s important to immediately transfer them from the hot sheet pan to a cool one. Next time I make these the only thing I might change would be to increase the cayenne pepper and chili powder to 1 tsp each but I’d definitely continue to use both.
I use a few other mixed nuts recipes and have for years BUT after this successful experience I will only use this recipe. These are pretty near perfect, and just like last year at this time I’m sitting with the rest of these yummy (and really pretty!) roasted mixed nuts and a glass of red wine!
Thanks Regina!
Merry Christmas!
Maureen
Maureen
I made these for Christmas Eve two days prior. They didn’t seem as sticky as other roasted nuts recipes I’ve made so I was happy. I let them cool completely before storing in a mason jar. When I opened them last night to put into a bowl I could barely get them out of the jar. They were completely stuck togetherHubby even had a tough time. Super sticky....but oh so yummy! I’m actually sitting now with a bowl of them along with a glass of red wine. Perfect combination of sweet and spicy. Wouldn’t change a thing about the recipe. They are so worth making and enjoying...in spite of the stickiness which I’ll try to somehow lessen when I make them again.
Thank you Regina for an awesome roasted nuts recipe, and Merry Christmas!
Maureen
Regina
Oh boy, sorry to hear about the stickiness issues. I think some of it has to do with humidity in the environment. So glad you still enjoyed them though 🙂
Denise
These look dangerously addictive! Can't wait to try them!
Regina
Totally addictive. Something about the sweet & spice combination always makes me want more
Alice
These look absolutelly amazing! One quick question though - are they sticky when you take them out of the oven? Do they dry later on? Because I want to put them into little jars and give them out as stocking stuffers for a few people. Thanks in advance!
Regina
Hi Alice, they are a little sticky still coming from the oven. That's when you add the salt + sugar mixture, which will attach to the slightly sticky outer layer to form another coat that will also keep the cashews separated.
Gabby
Hello, can I use regular sugar instead of coconut or cane sugar? They are difficult to find where I live and I am planning on making some for my dad as a Christmas present, so I don't really have a lot of time on my hands to wait for it to be shipped. If I can, should it be brown or white?
Regina
Hi Gabby, I use coconut or cane sugar because we avoid refined sugar as a family, but you can certainly replace it with any other kind of granulated sugar. Depending on how dark your brown sugar is, it might make the nuts a little more sticky doue to the molasses in it, but either white or brown sugar will work
Hannah
Looks delicious! Will definitely be making some. Does anyone know how long these last when stored airtight?
Regina
Hi Hannah, I think that will really depend on how humid your climate is. We live in the tropics and after a day of repeatedly opening and closing the container the crunchy sweet coating of the nuts will become sticky again. Now, if we weren't to open it so much to snack on, I think they would be good for at least 3 days even in humidity. If you are living in a dry climate you'll probably be good for at least a week.
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant
Trouble is...now I want nuts and a cocktail by the pool and it's only 10:50 am and mid-November. Thanks for adding these to my callout on FBC.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
I might end up eating the whole batch at one go! They look really super, Regina.
Regina
Thanks Angie, it was definitely hard stopping after just a few nuts 🙂
Chantelle | naked cuisine
These look absolutely addictive, yum!
Regina
Umm, yup I admit having my fair share (or more) of these cashews 🙂