What Are Devilled (Deviled) Cashews? A Sri Lankan Favourite Explained

'Devilled' means hot, spicy and boldly seasoned. A devilled cashew is a roasted cashew coated in a fiery mix of chilli and spices, so every bite is crunchy first and spicy second. It's one of the most popular savoury snacks in Sri Lanka, and it's easy to see why: cashews are rich and buttery, and the heat cuts through that richness.

In English cooking, 'devilled' has long described food seasoned with hot spices, and devilled eggs are probably the best-known example. In Sri Lanka the word became closely tied to a style of cooking you'll find in restaurants and at celebrations: chicken, prawns, potatoes and cashews, all cooked in a glossy, spicy, slightly sweet and sour sauce.

That's why you'll often see 'devilled' on a Sri Lankan menu next to a cold drink. It's food made for sharing and for snacking.

There are really two things people mean by the term. The first is the restaurant dish: cashews stir-fried quickly with onion, capsicum, chilli and sauce until they're coated and glossy, and eaten hot. We show how to make that at home in our cashew recipes.

The second is the packed snack: roasted cashews tossed in a dry devilled seasoning, so they're crisp, spicy and ready to eat from the pouch with no cooking. That's what our Deviled Cashew is: crunchy roasted cashews tossed in a fiery devilled seasoning of chilli, curry leaves and aromatic spices.

The heat comes from chilli, and the curry leaves are what make it taste Sri Lankan. They add a warm, slightly citrusy, savoury aroma that you don't get from chilli alone, and the aromatic spices round it all off. Because the seasoning clings to a roasted surface, the cashew has to be crisp to carry it, which is why devilled cashews are made from roasted nuts and not soft, plain ones. We explain how flavour gets onto a cashew in our guide to cashew flavours.

Our Deviled Cashew is described as fiery and bold, so it's for people who enjoy a proper kick. If you're not sure, start with a small pack and keep something cool nearby, such as a cold drink, cucumber or plain yoghurt. Heat tolerance varies a lot from person to person, so a first small bag is a safer way to find out than a big one.

The classic way is straight from the pouch, with a cold drink. They also work well in a bowl at a get-together, because they disappear quickly. You can crush a handful over plain fried rice or a simple salad for a spicy crunch, or serve them alongside milder snacks so guests can choose their own heat.

They also make a good gift for anyone who likes bold flavours. Deviled Cashew is in several of our gift boxes, including the Festive Trio, the Snack & Cook box and the Grand Festive box.

Both spellings are right. 'Devilled' with two Ls is the British and Sri Lankan spelling you'll see on most menus here, and 'deviled' with one L is the American spelling. They mean the same thing, and you'll find both when you search, which is why you'll see both on our site.

Seasoned cashews lose their crunch and their punch if they sit open. Keep them in an airtight container, away from heat and damp, and they'll stay crisp for much longer. Our guide to storing roasted cashews explains how.

You can order Deviled Cashew online in 250g, 500g and 1kg packs. Every order is roasted to order and delivered anywhere in Sri Lanka in 5 to 7 business days. You can see how it compares on price in our cashew price guide.

If you enjoyed this, you might also like our guides to more ways to use cashews and what burnt cashews are.