Holiday time = party time. Kinda. Clearly, there’s more to the holidays than enjoying one too many cocktails and eating too much food with your friends and family. The truth is though, you’re probably seeing more of your loved ones during this time of year and may even be hosting a party or two of your own.

These roasted rosemary mixed nuts will wow your guests with the explosion of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors in each bite. I was inspired by the bar nuts at Union Square Cafe in New York, but kicked these up a notch with the garlic powder and a few other tweaks. These are best served warm, but the left overs still taste amazing once they’ve cooled (if there are any leftovers, that is). Don’t blame me if these turn into your new favorite snack!

What you’ll need:

• 16 oz. unsalted raw mixed nuts (I got mine from Trader Joe’s)
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350° F
• Wash and finely chop rosemary
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the nuts evenly on the sheet
• Bake for 15 minutes until they are lightly toasted
• While the nuts are roasting, combine the rosemary, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, and garlic powder in a large bowl.
• Melt the butter in a separate bowl.
• Remove the nuts from the oven after 15 minutes and toss them in the dry ingredients.
• Pour the melted butter on top of the nuts and rosemary mixture. Mix well to evenly coat nuts.
• Place the mixed nuts back on the baking sheet with parchment paper and continue roasting for another 20-25 minutes.
• Remove from oven. Lightly toss and serve.

Don’t eat them all before your guests arrive 🙂