Piñon nut brittle
Piñon nut brittle is a traditional Southwestern confection made by caramelizing sugar or honey with piñon nuts (pine nuts) and often butter, creating a hard, crunchy candy. It typically includes ingredients like sugar, butter, salt, and sometimes vanilla or spices, and is strongly associated with New Mexico, Arizona, and other parts of the American Southwest.
🍳 View the full Piñon nut brittle recipe →
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Piñon nut brittle is high in fat and carbohydrates, primarily from the nuts and sugar, and provides a good source of protein and minerals like magnesium and zinc from the piñons. A typical 1-ounce serving contains roughly 150-180 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 160 kcal |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbs | 18 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 45 mg |
| Magnesium | 40 mg |
| Phosphorus | 65 mg |
| Zinc | 0.8 mg |
| Iron | 0.7 mg |
| Copper | 0.2 mg |
| Manganese | 0.5 mg |
| Vitamin E | 1.5 mg |
| Thiamine (B1) | 0.1 mg |
Per 1 piece (30 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Piñon nuts have been a staple food for Indigenous peoples of the Southwest for thousands of years, making this brittle a modern treat with deep cultural roots. Nutritionally, the nuts offer heart-healthy fats and antioxidants, balancing the indulgence of the candy with some beneficial nutrients.
