Name: Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups raw unsalted nuts (pecans, walnuts, peanuts, cashews, or almonds); 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 2 tsp pure maple syrup; 2 heaping tbsp fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped (or 2 1/4 tsp crushed dried rosemary); 1 tbsp light brown sugar, heaping and packed; 1 tsp ground cumin; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper; 2 tsp coarse sea salt; Scant ¼ tsp fresh cracked black pepper; 1 tbsp turbinado sugar; 2 tsp flakey Maldon sea salt

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 10 reviews

If you’re someone who loves snacking with a little flair, I’ve got a treat for you. This Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary Recipe is exactly the kind of snack that elevates simple nuts into a flavor-packed, irresistible munchie. Whether it’s for a party, a movie night, or just that craving for something savory and a bit spicy, these nuts never disappoint. Plus, the fresh rosemary adds this incredible aroma that makes your kitchen smell like a cozy bistro—trust me, you’ll want to make these again and again.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Flavor Balance: The mix of sweet, savory, and spicy hits your taste buds from all angles without being overpowering.
Fresh Rosemary Infusion: Infusing the butter with fresh rosemary gives the nuts a lovely herbal note that’s fresh and inviting.
Simple Ingredients: You don’t need anything fancy to make this recipe a winner—just a handful of everyday pantry staples.
Easy Roasting Technique: Roasting the nuts at 350°F with a quick stir halfway makes sure they toast evenly and stay perfectly crunchy.

Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary, Roasted Nuts with Rosemary, Spiced Nuts Snack, Herb-Infused Roasted Nuts, Flavorful Nut Mix - The image shows a white bowl lined with white parchment paper filled with a mix of roasted nuts including cashews, pecans, and peanuts, all golden brown with a slight shine from oil or seasoning. The nuts are heaped in the bowl, covering the entire surface. Next to the bowl is a small dark bowl with coarse salt and black pepper. A soft light blue cloth is casually placed on the white marbled surface beside the bowl. The scene looks clean and simple with natural daylight. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary Recipe plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture. Choosing raw and unsalted nuts gives you full control over the seasoning, while the combination of butter, maple syrup, and spices caramelizes beautifully in the oven.

Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary, Roasted Nuts with Rosemary, Spiced Nuts Snack, Herb-Infused Roasted Nuts, Flavorful Nut Mix - Flat lay of a natural mix of raw pecans, walnuts, peanuts, cashews, and almonds, a small piece of unsalted butter, a few fresh rosemary sprigs with finely chopped leaves in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of amber pure maple syrup, a small white bowl of light brown sugar, a small white bowl of ground cumin, a small white bowl of bright red cayenne pepper powder, a small white bowl of coarse sea salt, a small white bowl of freshly cracked black pepper, a small white bowl of golden turbinado sugar, a few flakes of Maldon sea salt, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Raw Unsalted Nuts: Using raw and unsalted nuts ensures the flavors you add are front and center—plus, you avoid over-salting or burning delicate nuts.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps the spices and rosemary cling to the nuts perfectly.
Pure Maple Syrup: Just a touch of sweetness that also helps create a beautiful glossy coating on the nuts.
Fresh Rosemary Leaves: The star herb here that brings a fragrant, pine-like aroma and a fresh depth to the snack. Dried rosemary works too, but fresh is best if you have it.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds warmth and depth with its molasses undertones, blending perfectly with the maple syrup.
Ground Cumin: Gives a slightly smoky, earthy note that complements the sweetness and herbaceousness.
Cayenne Pepper: Adds just the right kick to keep your taste buds interested—adjust based on your heat tolerance.
Coarse Sea Salt: Brings out all the other flavors and balances the sweet and spicy.
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper: Adds a subtle peppery bite that rounds out the spice blend.
Turbinado Sugar & Flakey Maldon Sea Salt (Optional): For an extra fancy finishing touch, these add crunch and sparkle that make the nuts look and taste gourmet.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love personalizing this Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary Recipe depending on the occasion or what nuts I have sitting around. Sometimes I go heavier on the cayenne if I’m craving real spice, and other times I add in smoked paprika for a smoky twist. Don’t be afraid to experiment—you can easily make this recipe your own!

Variation: Once, I swapped the cumin for smoked paprika and it gave the nuts a wonderful smoky flavor that surprised my guests. It’s a great tweak for barbecue season!
Dietary Modifications: For a vegan version, you could try coconut oil instead of butter, but just keep an eye on the roasting time as it melts differently.
Nut Choices: You can use one type of nut or a mixture—I personally love a combo of pecans, almonds, and cashews for a lovely contrast in texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F and position the rack in the center. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper—trust me, this makes cleanup so much easier and keeps the pan looking nice for future recipes. I always like to get this step done early because it keeps the flow smooth as you move through the process.

Step 2: Infuse Butter with Rosemary and Maple Syrup

Next, melt your butter gently either on the stovetop or in the microwave—whichever you prefer. I usually use the stovetop because I like to watch the rosemary leaves sizzle briefly in the butter, releasing all their fragrance. After about a minute of cooking until fragrant, remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup. Letting it sit for a minute helps the flavors marry before you toss in the nuts.

Step 3: Season the Nuts

Place your raw nuts in a big bowl, then add the brown sugar, cumin, cayenne, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Stir them up well so the spices are evenly mixed. This dry mix is what gives the nuts those irresistible layers of flavor. Don’t skip stirring properly—it really makes a difference in how the seasoning clings to every nut.

Step 4: Coat Nuts with the Flavored Butter

Pour that beautifully infused rosemary butter over your spiced nut mix. Grab a large spoon and toss everything together until each nut is lovingly coated. I like to get my hands in there for the final spread on the baking sheet to make sure the nuts form an even single layer, which means they’ll roast evenly without steaming.

Step 5: Roast and Stir

Place the nuts in the oven and roast for 10 minutes, then pull them out and give them a good stir with a spatula or wooden spoon. Spread them out again before popping them back in for another 5-8 minutes. Keep a close eye—once they start smelling nutty and look lightly golden, they’re done. Remember, they’ll darken a little more as they cool.

Step 6: Add Finishing Touches and Cool

If you want to go all out, sprinkle some turbinado sugar and flaky sea salt over the hot nuts for an extra crunch and sparkle. Using your spoon, mix them gently then spread back into a single layer to cool for about 15 minutes. This resting time lets the flavors set and the nuts crisp up perfectly.

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Pro Tips for Making Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary Recipe

Use Raw, Unsalted Nuts: It’s tempting to grab roasted or salted nuts, but starting raw gives you flavor control and better seasoning adherence.
Don’t Skip Stirring: Stirring halfway through ensures even roasting and prevents burning—trust me, I learned this the hard way once when I left them too long without stirring!
Let Flavored Butter Sit: Giving the butter a minute to soak up the rosemary and maple syrup amps up the flavor depth dramatically.
Cool Completely Before Storing: This avoids soggy nuts and helps keep them crunchy for days.

How to Serve Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary Recipe

Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary, Roasted Nuts with Rosemary, Spiced Nuts Snack, Herb-Infused Roasted Nuts, Flavorful Nut Mix - A close-up image shows a mix of nuts spilling out from a red-striped container onto a dark surface. The nuts include cashews, pecans, walnuts, and peanuts, all roasted to a golden-brown color and lightly seasoned with small bits of herbs and spices, creating a textured and crunchy look. A sprig of fresh rosemary rests near the nuts, adding a touch of green to the warm palette. The white marbled texture background highlights the rich colors of the nuts and container, giving the scene a fresh, natural feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love garnishing mine with a sprig of fresh rosemary—not just for the look but for that extra aroma when you serve. If you’re making a batch for a holiday party, adding a little flakey sea salt on top just before serving gives a nice shine and crunch.

Side Dishes

These spiced nuts are fantastic alongside a cheese board or paired with soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese. They also complement roasted veggies really well, or serve them with cocktails for a sophisticated snack option.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served these nuts in little glass jars tied with rustic twine, which guests loved taking home as favors. Another fun trick is layering them in clear bowls with different nut varieties separated, so people can pick their favorites—a great conversation starter!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the nuts cool completely, I store mine in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay crunchy and flavorful for about a week, making them great to prep ahead for a party or snack stock-up.

Freezing

Freezing worked surprisingly well for me. I put fully cooled nuts into a freezer-safe bag, pressing out air, and pulled them out a few hours before serving. Just make sure to let them come fully to room temperature before enjoying to regain that fresh crunch.

Reheating

If you want to refresh the crunch, pop the nuts in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. Watch carefully so they don’t burn. This quick heat-up brings back that just-roasted flavor and texture wonderfully.

FAQs

Can I use pre-roasted or salted nuts in this recipe?

It’s best to use raw, unsalted nuts because pre-roasted or salted nuts can interfere with how the spices stick and balance. The added salt and oils might overwhelm the flavor and cause uneven roasting.
How spicy is the Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary Recipe?

The cayenne pepper adds a mild to medium heat, which you can easily adjust. Reduce it if you prefer less heat or increase it for a spicier kick. The recipe is very flexible to your taste preferences.
Can I substitute dried rosemary for fresh?

Yes, you can substitute dried rosemary—use about 2 1/4 teaspoons instead of the 2 tablespoons fresh. Just crush it a bit to help release the flavor before infusing in the butter.
How long do these nuts keep their crunch?

If stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they’ll stay crunchy for about a week. Avoid storing in the fridge, which can introduce moisture and soften them.
Can I make this recipe in advance?

You absolutely can—and I recommend it! Roasting and seasoning the nuts a few hours or even a day ahead allows the flavors to fully develop, making them taste even better.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Spiced Roasted Nuts with Rosemary Recipe has become my go-to snack for all kinds of occasions. It’s the kind of recipe I’m always excited to share with friends because it hits that perfect combo of flavors and is downright addictive. Don’t hesitate to dive in, customize it your way, and maybe even make a double batch—you’ll thank me later. Happy snacking!