Corn nuts are a Mexican snack made from dried corn kernels toasted until they become crunchy.
The kernels are usually soaked in water before being fried or roasted. This restores some moisture and helps produce the hard, crisp texture associated with the snack. Corn nuts may be salted, spiced, or flavored with ingredients such as chili and lime.
In Spanish-speaking countries, related snacks are known by names including cancha and maíz tostado. The exact preparation varies by region: some versions use large Andean corn varieties, while commercial snack versions commonly use processed kernels.
Corn nuts are not popcorn. Popcorn comes from corn varieties that expand dramatically when heated, whereas corn nuts remain compact and crunchy. They are also different from ordinary roasted corn, because the kernels are typically specially soaked and prepared for a firmer texture.