Breanna StarkJanuary 11, 2024

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Candied nuts are a popular holiday treat, but they can be enjoyed all year round. I personally love to grab a bag (or two) when I swing by Buc-ee’s on a road trip.

Instead of waiting for your next fair, festival, or road trip – did you know you can make delicious candied nuts right at home in your smoker? Plus, the addition of a little smoke flavor takes this treat to the next level!

The first time I made them, I was surprised at how easily it all came together.

Smoked Candied Nuts

Ingredients you’ll need

Mixed Nuts – you want to find a large bag (40oz or so) of roasted but unsalted mixed nuts for this recipe. If you prefer one type of nut, you can use just pecans, walnuts, or cashews, but I like to have a mix.
Egg whites – this is what gives your nuts that candied nut crunch.
Vanilla extract – the traditional flavor that I like to use, but you’re welcome to get creative and use almond or another flavor.
Brown sugar
Cinnamon – adds a touch of extra festive flavor to your candied nuts.

Equipment you’ll need

Mixing bowls – three, small, medium and large
Whisk
Baking sheet
Smoker

How to make Smoked Candied Nuts

1. Prep

Before smoking, the nuts get a coating, which is going to give them the signature crunch and sweet, delicious flavor.

Pour your mixed nuts into a large mixing bowl and set them to the side.

In a small bowl, add the egg whites and vanilla. You want to whisk this mixture together until it begins to get foamy on the top (about 45-60 seconds).

Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl until well combined.

Pour the egg white mixture over the nuts and stir until all of the nuts are well coated in the liquid mixture.

candied nuts being mixed in a metal bowl

Add the cinnamon sugar mixture and continue to stir until all of the nuts are evenly coated in sugar.

candied nuts with cinnamon sugar in a metal bowl

Transfer your nuts to a baking sheet. You want them to be in an even layer so they all get equally crunchy.

2. Fire up the smoker

Preheat your smoker to 300°F.

You can use any grill or smoker, but I love to smoke this recipe on my Grilla Grills Alpha Connect (AKA: The OG). It has a smaller chamber, so the nuts are exposed to a good amount of smoke, even though the cooking time is only about an hour and a half long.

You can use any wood pellets that you like. I used the Bear Mountain Gourmet BBQ pellets for this recipe, and it gave my nuts a beautiful, balanced, smoky flavor.

3. Smoke

Once your smoker is preheated, just place the baking sheet on the grates and let them smoke.

You want to give them a stir every 15 minutes or so to ensure they don’t stick together.

After about 1½ hours, your nuts should be golden brown and perfectly crunchy.

a wooden spoon stirring a tray of candied nuts on the smoker

You can let them cool and serve them immediately or store them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks! I love serving these as a game day snack.

More homemade snack ideas

Smoked Candied Nuts

Assorted nuts that are sweet, crunchy, and smoky.

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Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 1 30

Total Time: 1 40

Servings: 20

Calories: 382kcal

Author: Breanna Stark

Ingredients

40 oz mixed unsalted nuts
2 egg whites
3 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup light brown sugar
¼ cup cinnamon ground

Instructions

Preheat your smoker to 300°F.
Add the egg whites and vanilla extract to a small bowl and whisk until foamy.
Add the brown sugar and cinnamon to another bowl and stir until well combined.
Add the mixed nuts to a large mixing bowl, add the egg white mixture, and stir until the nuts are well coated.
Add the sugar cinnamon mixture to the nuts and stir until all of the nuts are well coated.
Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and place them on the smoker for 1½ hours or until they are golden brown and crunchy.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

You can use any wood pellets that you like. I used the Bear Mountain Gourmet BBQ pellets for this recipe and it gave my nuts a beautiful, balanced smoky flavor.