Easy Smoked Nuts Recipe: How to Smoke Mixed Nuts

Smoked nuts are a savory side dish made by smoking nuts over indirect heat in a wood pellet smoker, charcoal grill, or electric smoker to infuse them with rich, charred flavor. Peanuts, cashews, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, and pecans lend themselves well to smoking, producing the perfect appetizer or grazing dish for your barbecues and parties.

Whether you’re a pro smoker or new to the grilling game, these smoked nuts are the perfect easy intro to smoking. Follow these tips to make the best smoked nuts possible:

1. 1. Use raw, unsalted nuts. For the best results, always smoke raw, unroasted nuts that aren’t pre-salted. Attempting to smoke pre-roasted nuts will likely result in a burnt flavor.
2. 2. Experiment with seasonings. Once you’ve mastered the basic technique for smoking nuts, incorporate your favorite spices, sweeteners, and dried herbs into the recipe to mix up the flavor profile. Tasty potential additions include chili powder, curry powder, cayenne, cinnamon, chipotle powder, ginger, and Worcestershire sauce. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, maple syrup, or the sweetener of your choice for a batch of sweet-and-savory smoked nuts.
3. 3. Switch up the wood chips. Experiment with different varieties of wood chips to achieve variations in smoke flavor. Fruitier woods, like applewood and cherrywood, will infuse the nuts with a milder flavor. More intense woods, like hickory, pecan, and mesquite, will result in a more distinct smoky taste. Learn more about smoking woods.
4. 4. Store properly. Mixed nuts will keep well in an airtight container in your pantry for up to 1 month. Alternatively, store the nuts in a zip-top bag or container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let the smoked nuts cool to room temperature before storing or freezing.