Easy Dairy Free Spicy Candied Pistachios
Football season is just around the corner and snack season is upon us. Switch up your regular crunchy bites and bring Easy Dairy Free Spicy Candied Pistachios into the mix.
I love making pistachios the star of recipes, such as my Dairy Free Japanese Pistachio Cheesecake. It’s one of those ingredients that is equally at home in sweet or savory dishes. This recipe makes them completely the star.
Crispy, Crunchy
Easy Dairy Free Spicy Candied Pistachios are all about both the combination of flavors and also the texture. It will be love at first crunch, and that first bite will have you going back for more.
Is there any better smell than those spiced nuts sold everywhere from the mall to farmers markets and sporting events? This sweet and spicy pistachios will give you that experience at home, and it couldn’t be easier.
These spicy nuts get a kick from the aromatic and smoky pop of chipotle puree. For this recipe I am using Louisiana Pepper Exchange Pepper Puree. Made with just three ingredients, chipotle peppers, vinegar, and salt, it’s an easy way to give that mysterious kiss of heat.
Besides the pistachios themselves, the only other ingredients that you need are sugar and kosher salt. This is the perfect make ahead snack and also a treat that you can make in bulk to give as gifts.
How to Make Easy Dairy Free Spicy Candied Pistachios
Get out your favorite skillet and get cracking on those shells. This sweet, salty, smoky, and spicy snack hits all of the happy taste notes.
Time needed: 20 minutes
Snack time gets get an easy and delicious upgrade with these sweet, spicy, and salty candied nuts.
- Heat it Up
Add your sugar, chipotle puree, and salt to a large skillet over medium heat
- Melt
Allow the sugar to begin to melt. If the sugar starts smelling burnt, turn the heat down. Continue to cook it until it’s not grainy and fully melted.
- Toss
Add the pistachios to the melted sugar mixture. Toss until they are fully coated.
- Pour
Pour the candied pistachios onto a nonstick surface such as a Silpat. Spread them out evenly.
- Break
Once the nuts have fully cooled, break them up into pieces. Happy snacking!
Top Tip for Easy Dairy Free Spicy Candied Pistachios
When you are ready to pour your candied pistachios out to cool, make sure you pick a non stick surface. Using a silicone Silpat is a great option. Not only will it make it easy to remove your candied pistachios once cool, but you can also reuse the mat again and again for everything from baking cookies to all sorts of candy making. However, if you don’t have a silicone mat, wax paper will also work.
Easy Dairy Free Spicy Candied Pistachios
Equipment
- 1 large nonstick skillet
- 1 silicone mat
Ingredients
- 12 oz pistachios, shells removed
- 2 tsp chipotle pepper puree
- 1 cup sugar
- pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- Add the sugar, chipotle puree, and kosher salt to a large skillet over medium heat.
- Allow the sugar to begin to melt. If it begins to smell burnt lower the heat.
- Once the sugar is melted and no longer grainy, add in the pistachios, tossing until they are fully coated.
- Pour the candied pistachios out onto a nonstick surface such as a Silpat. Spread them out.
- Once the candied pistachios are cooled break them up into pieces.
- Enjoy!