Chipotle Spicy Roasted Almonds – Easy, Sugar Free, 20 Minute Recipe
Chipotle spicy roasted almonds are quick, easy, and perfectly seasoned, taking only 20 minutes to whip up. Enjoy on their own as a healthy snack or as a crunchy topping for salads.
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Ever since I discovered the secret to roasting almonds with the salt baked in (you know, so it doesn’t all fall to the bottom of the container right after you’ve made them…), I have wanted to make more flavors.
Since the salted almonds are the best (really!), it’s been my go-to and I knew it would serve as a great base for any flavor combo I’d come up with.
Which would obviously involve something spicy because that’s just where my mind goes with flavors.
And I LOVE the flavor mix I came up with – but don’t worry if you’re not as into spicy things like we are!!
That’s one of the benefits of making your own food – YOU get to adjust things to YOUR tastes – yay for that!
So – how spicy ARE these nuts?
Full disclosure – not very spicy, Brian wishes they were spicier. I totally thought they would be, but after recipe testing I wasn’t willing to make them too spicy, so in the end I would call these just mildly spiced.
Which means it would be really easy for you to tailor the spices to what heat degree you’d like by using a mild chili powder and reducing (or even leaving out) the chipotle powder.
Spicy Roasted Almonds Recipe
Ingredients
You’ll just need basic ingredients to make your own seasoned roasted almonds:
- Raw whole almonds
- Salt – fine salt is best (I like this Celtic sea salt or even a pink Himalayan salt)
- Olive oil – this is the time for a smooth extra virgin olive oil as it’s used as a finish and isn’t heated
- Spice mix made of: smoked paprika, chili powder seasoning, chipotle powder, garlic powder, black pepper and sea salt
Easy Ingredient Swaps
Here are some ingredient substitutions I can recommend for these roasted almonds:
- This cooking technique works for other nuts, too – try walnuts, pecans, or cashews.
- You can use regular paprika if that’s what you have – you’ll just lose some of the smokey flavor.
- Omit the chili powder and chipotle powder and replace them with finely ground herbs of your choice – rosemary would be wonderful, as would thyme.
- Add onion powder or replace the garlic with onion powder.
- Avocado oil will work in place of the olive oil.
How to make spicy roasted almonds
Like my super popular DIY Roasted Almonds, the key to getting perfectly seasoned roasted nuts is to wash them with a salt water solution before baking. (All these steps are included in the printable recipe card below.)
- Heat the oven to 375 and make the spice mix.
- Place 2 1/4 cups raw almonds in a medium sized bowl.
- Mix 3/4 teaspoon fine salt into 1 tablespoon hot water and stir until most of the salt is dissolved (it’s okay if it’s not completely dissolved). These shot glass measuring cups makes it easy – I mix with a chopstick.
- Pour the salt water over the almonds and mix until they’re all coated.
4. Spread the almonds into a single layer on a large cookie sheet. I line the pan with black silicone liners to make them easy to stir around.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes, stir, and bake for another 7-8 minutes until the nuts are browning inside (break one to see).
TIP: They will still be chewy if you were to taste one out of the oven (and hot!) – they crisp as they cool, so don’t let them burn.
6. Scrape the almonds back into the bowl you mixed them in, toss with the olive oil and then sprinkle on the spice mix.
7. Stir the almonds well until they’re evenly coated with the seasonings.
8. Spread the almonds back onto the baking sheet to cool completely.
9. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for to two to three months for best quality.
Chipotle Spicy Roasted Almonds Recipe FAQs
The key to this recipe is to bake the nuts with the salt water first so the flavor completely penetrates the nuts. Coating with olive oil after baking and immediately stirring the seasoning on helps it to stick to the nuts after cooling.
Yes – almonds are considered to be a “superfood” – nutritionally-dense and containing Vitamin E, magnesium, iron, calcium and fiber. They have antioxidants that play a role in anti-aging and disease. Roasted almonds have healthy fats, protein, and fiber while being low in carbohydrates.
Soaking nuts may improve their digestibility and some prefer the taste and texture, but you don’t have to soak nuts to benefit from their health benefits. (To soak almonds, cover them with water overnight then drain and allow them to dry out some before proceeding.)
Any of the spices in this recipe would work on their own or combined (like black pepper, cumin, and garlic; simple salt and pepper; etc.) Besides the spices in this recipe, cinnamon and ginger would be a good combo that may give you a sweeter flavor without sugar.
Tips for storing roasted almonds
- Let the nuts cool completely at room temperature before storing.
- Store in a glass container with a tight lid.
- Keep at room temperature 2-3 months or up to a year refrigerated.
Recommended tools
- Glass Tablespoon Measuring Cup
- Large Cookie Sheet (these USA pans are my favorite)
- Black Silicone Liner (I just cut to size)
- Medium Stainless Mixing Bowl (this is a great set)
Don’t forget to check out all of my favorite kitchen essentials.
More nut recipes you’ll love
- Perfectly Salted DIY Roasted Almonds (seriously the BEST)
- Easy & Healthy Spiced Nuts Recipe (No Sugar or Sweeteners)
- Easy Honey Caramel Triple Nut Tart
I hope you love this delicious spicy roasted almond recipe! If you make it, please leave a comment and a rating letting me know, I’d be so thankful!
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Easy Spicy Roasted Almonds – Sugar Free in 20 Minutes
Equipment
- 1 large cookie sheet
- 1 medium stainless or ceramic bowl
Ingredients
Spice Mix
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (can use regular paprika)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder seasoning
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375 degrees and line a large baking sheet with silicone or parchment.
Make Spice Mix:
- Add all the spices for the mix into a small bowl and combine thoroughly.
Make Spicy Roasted Almonds:
- Place 2 1/4 cups raw almonds in a medium sized stainless or glass bowl (we'll be adding the hot nuts back into the bowl, so avoid plastic).
- Mix 3/4 teaspoon fine salt into 1 tablespoon hot water and stir until most of the salt is dissolved (it's okay if it's not completely dissolved).
- Pour the salt water over the almonds and mix until they're all coated.
- Spread the almonds into a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes, stir, and bake for another 7-8 minutes until the nuts are browning inside (break one to see).
- Scrape the almonds back into the bowl you mixed them in, toss with the olive oil and then sprinkle on the seasoning mix.
- Stir the almonds well until they're evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Spread the almonds back onto the baking sheet to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 months for best quality.
Notes
- Use this same roasting method for walnuts, pecans, or cashews.
- Omit chili and chipotle powder and replace with ground rosemary or thyme for an herb seasoning.
- Use only salt, pepper and onion powder for a “salt and pepper” flavor.
Nutrition
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Made your spiced almonds tonight. Very good! Really like they are not sweet. Easy to follow instructions and easy to make. I had mistakenly pouchased raw almonds and this was a perfect way to use them. I’ll play around with spices next time. Thank you for sharing!
So glad you tried these, Donna! I love mistakes that turn out good like this. 🙂