Craving the ultimate holiday snack that’s sweet, spicy, and totally addictive? These Sweet and Spicy Pecans (or walnuts!) are your new go-to—”crack nuts” with the perfect kick of cayenne, cozy cinnamon, and sugary crunch. Whip them up in no time for gifting, parties, or cozy movie nights—they’ll fill your house with that irresistible Christmas aroma!

Treat yourself this Christmas with our delectable sweet and spicy pecans or spiced walnuts. A little spicy, a little sweet, and oh-so-delicious, these pecans are the perfect holiday snack. And the best part? They’re easy to make! And they are the perfect treat to munch while ticking off your holiday to-do list or watching your favorite Christmas movie. Give them a try and you’ll know why we call them “crack pecans.

Christmas isn’t complete without the aroma of holiday baking wafting through the house. This year, make our Sweet and Spicy Pecans, or substitute with walnuts for a spicy kick. These spicy pecans are a little bit naughty (spicy) and a little bit nice (sweet) that your family will enjoy this Christmas.

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Around Christmas time our home smells of holiday baking and sweet treats which is a part of this glorious holiday that we love. It’s such a busy time of the year that sometimes we run around and just check things off the list. But we forget to take the time to just sit and treat ourselves. Remember the first thing that should be on any to-do list is to treat yourself. Yes, you need to be first. It’s not being selfish, it’s taking care of yourself because you deserve to enjoy all the holidays also. But we almost don’t believe it’s Christmas until we make our Sweet and Spicy Pecans. (Or sometimes we replace the pecans and make spicy walnuts.)

And one of the best ways I enjoy treating myself is little snacks that I can munch while I’m doing other things. I can sit and write out lists or browse new recipes and snack on these sweet and spicy pecans or spiced walnuts at the same time.

Sweet and Spicy Pecans Recipe:

Ingredients:

⅓ cup brown sugar
⅔ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, you may wish to use less
1 egg white
1 Tablespoon waster
1 pound Pecan Halves or Walnuts

Equipment Needed:

Mixing Bowls
Mixer
Baking Sheets
Parchment Paper

🥣 Recipe Tips

Whip the egg white just until frothy (not stiff peaks)—this creates a light foam that coats the nuts evenly without making them sticky or clumpy. A quick whisk or fork works great; over-beating can cause the coating to slide off during baking.
Stir the nuts every 10 minutes while they bake at 300°F for the full 30 minutes. This prevents clumping and ensures every side gets that gorgeous crunchy, caramelized coating—plus it fills your kitchen with that amazing holiday spice aroma!
Let them cool completely on the baking sheet, stirring gently once or twice as they cool to separate any stuck-together pieces. Once cooled, store in an airtight container—they’ll stay crunchy for weeks and make the best homemade holiday gifts!

How to make Sweet and Spicy Pecans

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and cinnamon until fully combined and no lumps remain.
In a separate large bowl, whisk the egg white and water together vigorously until frothy (small bubbles form) but not stiff—about 30–45 seconds.
Add the pecans (or walnuts) to the egg white mixture and stir gently until every nut is evenly coated.
Sprinkle the sugar-spice mixture over the nuts and toss thoroughly until they’re completely covered in the sweet-spicy blend.
Spread the coated nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet (no overlapping for best crunch!).
Bake for 30 minutes, stirring the nuts every 10 minutes to ensure even coating and prevent clumping.
Remove from the oven and gently stir/separate the nuts while they’re still warm. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet—they’ll crisp up as they cool.

Enjoy that irresistible sweet-heat crunch!

3 Alternative Recipes for Sweet and Spicy Nuts

1. One-Pan Sweet & Spicy Party Nuts (with Chili-Lime Vibes)

A bolder, slightly smoky version using chili powder and a touch of lime for a margarita-party feel—great for game days or gifting.

Ingredients (for 3 cups nuts):

3 cups mixed nuts (pecans and almonds work great)
1 egg white + 1 Tbsp water
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
¾ tsp cayenne pepper
Zest of 1 lime
1 tsp kosher salt
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 300°F.
Whip egg white and water until frothy.
Toss nuts in the egg white mixture, then add all seasonings and stir well.
Spread on a parchment-lined sheet and bake 25–30 minutes, stirring twice.
Let cool completely, then squeeze a little fresh lime juice over the top if desired.

2. Bourbon-Cinnamon Candied Pecans (Extra Festive & Boozy)

A grown-up twist with warm bourbon notes and deeper spice—perfect for holiday tins or cocktail parties.

Ingredients (for 1 pound pecans):

1 lb pecan halves
1 egg white
1 Tbsp bourbon (or vanilla extract for non-alcoholic)
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¾ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 300°F and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment.
Whisk egg white and bourbon until frothy.
Add pecans and stir to coat.
Mix sugars, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, and salt; sprinkle over nuts and toss evenly.
Spread in a single layer and bake 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
Cool on the sheet, separating as needed. The bourbon scent while baking is incredible!

3. Maple-Rosemary Sweet & Spicy Mixed Nuts (No Refined Sugar)

A more savory-herbal version with natural sweetness from maple syrup and a fragrant rosemary kick—perfect if you want less traditional holiday spice.

Ingredients (for 4 cups nuts):

4 cups mixed nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts, cashews)
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp olive oil or melted butter
2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
1 tsp sea salt
¾ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp smoked paprika (optional for extra depth)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
Whisk maple syrup, oil/butter, rosemary, salt, cayenne, cinnamon, and paprika in a large bowl.
Add nuts and toss until evenly coated.
Spread in a single layer and bake 20–25 minutes, stirring every 8–10 minutes.
Cool completely on the sheet (they crisp as they cool). Break apart and store airtight.

All three keep for weeks in an airtight container and make fantastic gifts—just like the original! Enjoy experimenting.

We usually have a Christmas dish or a pretty Christmas Canister on the bar, on a side table or near the coffee pot during the holidays. They are filled with these “crack pecans” that are sweet with the rich taste of brown sugar but have a dash of cayenne that gives these pecans a “bite” of spiciness. And these spicy walnuts or spicy pecans are very easy to make which makes entertaining a little easier for you.

Other Christmas Treats:

🥣 Recipe