Maple Glazed Peanuts with Bacon

If you’re ever looking for a snack to make for or bring to a party, look no further. This is it. This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s salty, smokey, sweet and crunchy. The best of all snack worlds come together into one delicious treat.

This is a relatively easy recipe to make. You can make it ahead of time also, as it’ll keep for a few days in a tightly sealed container. Don’t forget to line the baking sheet with parchment or foil, and a spray of pan coating wouldn’t hurt either. This is a sticky mixture thanks to the maple syrup!

Maple Glazed Peanuts with Bacon, adapted from Food & Wine

1/2 cup pure maple syrup
3 cups unsalted roasted peanuts (1 pound)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, minced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
3 thick slices of bacon (about 3 ounces)
1 tablespoon kosher salt

Preheat the oven to 325°. In a medium skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then finely chop. In a medium bowl, mix the thyme, salt, Old Bay, cayenne and dry mustard. Add the peanuts, maple syrup and bacon and toss until the peanuts are evenly coated. Scrape the nuts onto a parchment paper or foil–lined baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes, stirring once, until the maple syrup has thickened. Let the peanuts cool completely, stirring frequently to break up any large clumps. Transfer the peanuts to glass jars or a large bowl and serve.

The peanuts can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.