Easy Air Fryer Sweet and Spicy Candied Nuts Used 3 Ways

The only thing more magical than how easy it is to make this crave-worthy snack is how fast they’ll disappear when you serve them. And, when you’ve got an ingredient as delicious as this, why not “go nuts” in the kitchen and use them anywhere you can? We’ve added three ways to add the amazing taste to some of your favourite treats.

Prep Time
10 minutes
10 minutes cooling time
Bake Time
15 to 18 minutes
Image
A white bowl overflowing with candied pecans and almonds, shown on a kitchen counter with a baking sheet of prepared nuts.

For the candied nuts:

Small bowl

Whisk 

Scale OR dry measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Large bowl

Large heatproof spatula x 2 OR wooden spoon

Parchment paper

Baking sheet (large)

 

For the cookies:

Cutting board

Chef’s knife

Measuring cups

 

For the pâte sucrée dough:

Scale OR measuring cups

Food processor fitted with the metal blade 

Measuring spoons

Whisk

 

For the brownies:

Scale OR measuring cups

Cutting board

Chef’s knife

Servings
about 4 cups
For the candied nuts:
  • ½ cup (109 g) Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (100 g) Redpath® Special Fine Granulated Sugar
  • 1½ tsp (9 g) salt
  • 1½ tsp (5 g) ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp (3 g) paprika (not smoked)
  • ¼ + ⅛ tsp (1 g) cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 cups (284 g) whole almonds
  • 1¾ cups (184 g) pecan halves
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) water
For a cookie mix-in:
For nutty pâte sucrée dough:
For brownies with candied nuts:
  • 1 cup (111 g) Easy Sweet and Spicy Candied Nuts
  • 1 recipe brownies
Instructions
For the candied nuts:

Step 1

In a small bowl, whisk together the Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, Redpath® Special Fine Granulated Sugar, salt, cinnamon, paprika, and cayenne pepper, if using, until well combined.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk the egg white and water together until frothy. Add almonds and pecans to the bowl and stir until nuts are evenly coated with the egg white mixture.

Step 3

Sprinkle the sugar-spice mixture over the nuts. Toss to coat evenly.

Step 4

Preheat the air fryer to 325°F (163°C) according to the manufacturer’s directions. Line the bottom of the air fryer basket with parchment paper, being careful of the hot sides.

Step 5

Depending on the size of the air fryer, work in batches. Place about a third to half of the nuts into the lined basket. Bake for 10 minutes.

Step 6

Remove and shake the basket and flip the nuts over using a heatproof rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Bake for an additional 5 to 8 minutes or until the nuts are fragrant and the topping has dried.

Step 7

Carefully remove nuts from the basket and spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet to crisp up and cool completely; 10 minutes. Repeat process until all nuts have been air fried.

Step 8

Once nuts are cooled, break apart any that may have fused together. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks at room temperature.

Image
A white bowl overflowing with candied pecans and almonds, shown on a kitchen counter with a wooden spoon and bowls of plain almonds and pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, and paprika
For cookie mix-in:

Step 1

Roughly chop the candied nuts.

Step 2

Make cookie dough as directed, replacing some or all of the add-ins (e.g. chocolate chips, oats, dried fruit) with the chopped candied nuts.

Step 3

Proceed with the recipe as directed.

Image
A plate of homemade cookies with chopped candied nuts, shown with a bowl of candied nuts and a glass of milk.
For nutty pâte sucrée dough:

Step 1

In a bowl of a food processor, using the metal blade, process the Easy Air Fryer Sweet and Spicy Candied Nuts with 1 or 2 tablespoons of the flour used in the dough recipe until finely ground.

Step 2

Whisk the finely ground candied nuts into the flour and proceed with the recipe as directed.

Image
A plate of homemade cookies with chopped candied nuts, shown with a bowl of candied nuts and a glass of milk.
For brownies with candied nuts:

Step 1

Roughly chop the candied nuts.

Step 2

Make brownie recipe as directed. With 10 to 15 minutes left in the baking time, remove brownies from the oven and quickly sprinkle the top with the chopped candied nuts.

Step 3

Return to the oven and finish baking to the specified time; do not overbake.

Image
Cut chocolate brownies topped with candied nuts and caramel sauce, shown on a piece of waxed paper on a kitchen counter with a bowl of caramel sauce.