The perfect blend of sweetness and heat is right here with our Spicy Caramelized Peanuts recipe. Crunchy peanuts caramelized to perfection, with a kick of chili and a hint of cinnamon. An irresistible treat!

Spicy caramelized peanuts in a jar with some spilled on a wood surface.

We love bringing you delightful and easy-to-make recipes. Some of our most popular are simple and delicious like our OVEN ROASTED SALTED PECANS.

This recipe for Spicy Caramelized Peanuts is perfect for those who enjoy a hint of heat and a touch of sweetness.

The level of spice can be adjusted if you want an extra kick of spicy!

Made right in your skillet, these crispy peanuts are simple to make and is a satisfying snack.

Ingredients

We use simple ingredients for these golden brown beauties!

– 1 cup raw peanuts or lightly roasted, unsalted Peanuts

– 1/3 cup water

– 1 cup granulated sugar

– 1/2 teaspoon smoked salt

– 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

– 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

– 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Step by step Instructions for Sweet and Spicy Peanuts

This spicy peanuts recipe gets a little sweetening up. By adding the sugar, we add that favorite sweet/spicy combo to a fried peanuts recipe.

Start by placing a skillet over medium heat. Add the raw peanuts, water and sugar. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.

Adding sugar to the peanuts and sugar in a cast iron skillet.

Keeping the peanuts moving while caramelizing the sugar.

Allow the mixture to come to simmer, stirring constantly. Once the water evaporates, the peanuts will get sandy. Keep stirring.

Removing skillet of peanuts from the heat to keep from burning.

Want to save this recipe?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

The sugars will melt and caramelize. Keep stirring, moving the pan off and on the heat if it starts to burn until it reaches a deep amber color. This should take about 7-10 minutes.

Adding cayenne pepper to peanuts in the skillet.

Remove from the heat and stir in the smoked salt, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and ground cinnamon.

Adding Chili powder to peanuts in a skillet.

Spread the peanuts on a parchment paper-lined tray.

Spreading candied peanuts on parchment paper.

Let them cool completely. Once cooled, break them into individual pieces.

Spicy caramelized peanuts on brown parchment to harden.

Store your Spicy Caramelized Peanuts in an airtight container. Enjoy them as a snack, a topping for salads, or a crunchy addition to your favorite desserts!

Tips and Tricks

Can I adjust the level of spiciness?

Yes! Feel free to adjust the amount of red chili powder and cayenne pepper to your liking. Add a little more for extra heat or reduce it for a milder flavor.

Is there a substitute for smoked salt?

If you don’t have smoked salt, you can use regular sea salt. For the BEST smoked salt, check out our friends over at THE CRAFTY COLES . Their smoked salts are wonderful and made right here in Alabama.

How do I store the caramelized peanuts?

When completely cooled, store the Spicy Caramelized Peanuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Can I use other nuts for this recipe?

Yes, absolutely! This recipe works well with other nuts too. I like Walnuts and PECANS

Looking down into a jar of peanuts sitting on a wooden board.

Spicy Caramelized Peanuts are an irresistible treat, combining the sweetness of caramelized sugar with a spicy kick.

The skillet-cooked peanuts are perfect for snacking, garnishing dishes, or gifting to loved ones. Enjoy this delightful blend of flavors in every bite!

Check out this recipe along with many of our others as a WEB STORY! And don’t forget to subscribe to our YOUTUBE channel for some great tutorial videos!

And as always, we would love it if you shared this recipe with your family and friends. Over to the side on this post and all of the others are handy dandy share buttons. We would sure be grateful if you shared the love!