Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts are deliciously sweet, spicy, crunchy, and salty -- and they cook in under 5 minutes! They make a tasty snack, salad topping, holiday gift, and a great addition to your cheese board.

Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (1)

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  • Why You're Going to Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts: Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Expert Tips
  • FAQs
  • Try Candied Walnuts On ...
  • 💌Let's Stay in Touch
  • 📖 Recipe

Candied nuts are the perfect snack all on their own -- but also a great way to add a little sweetness, crunch, and nutty taste to everything from a simple salad to an ice cream sundae.

They're incredibly delicious, easy to make, and WAYYYY less expensive than buying them in the grocery store.

And I wasn't kidding when I said this easy candied walnuts recipe cooks in under 5 minutes. Once you see how easy they are to make, you'll never buy them again.

We love brown sugar candied walnuts on Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad and Pumpkin Pancakes -- and my husband tosses them into trail mix for a car snack :).

Why You're Going to Love This Recipe

  • Super easy recipe that cooks in under 5 minutes
  • Simple recipe for a delicious sweet and salty snack
  • Great party snack during the holiday season -- or any time of year

Ingredients

This stovetop candied walnuts recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients.

Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (2)

Raw walnuts. I use regular walnuts. If you want, you can toast them a little first.

Brown sugar. The molasses in the sugar adds richness to the candy coating on the caramelized walnuts. I like dark brown sugar, but light brown sugar also works.

Cinnamon. Cinnamon gives the nuts warm and cozy flavor. You can also add a little cardamom, nutmeg, or allspice.

Cayenne pepper. Just a pinch of cayenne pepper brings a touch of heat. You can add more, less, or leave it out.

How to Make Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts: Step-by-Step Instructions

Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (3)

Step 1: Place walnuts, brown sugar, water, butter, salt, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper in a nonstick skillet.

Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a simmer.

Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (4)

Step 2: When the mixture starts to bubble, stir the nuts in the brown sugar mixture for 3-4 minutes or until the liquid evaporates, the sugar mixture thickens, and the nuts are evenly coated in a glossy glaze.

They're done when the mixture is thick and sticky, the nuts are completely coated, and there is very little of the glaze in the pan.

Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (5)

Step 3: Cool the nuts. Remove the nuts from the heat and immediately pour them out into a single layer onto a sheet of parchment paper. Use a spatula to separate the walnut pieces -- otherwise, they'll stick together in one clump.

Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (6)

Step 4: Let them cool completely.

Enjoy on salads, cakes, pies, pancakes, sundaes, or as a snack.

Serving Suggestions

This delicious recipe for crunchy candied walnuts is a fun way to dress up your favorite salad, side dish, dessert, and more. Some of our favorite ways to use them are on:

  • Roasted brussels sprouts
  • A charcuterie board or cheese plate
  • Strawberry goat cheese salad
  • Overnight oats
  • Yogurt parfaits
  • Baked sweet potatoes
  • Pumpkin pancakes

Expert Tips

  • Add the ingredients to an unheated pan.
  • Don't walk away from the stove while these are cooking. Nuts can go from uncooked to burned in a red hot second.
  • Keep the walnuts in a single layer while they simmer in the caramel glaze.
  • For a nice crunchy coating (not sticky), cook the sugar mixture to "hard crack" stage at 300 degrees.

FAQs

Can I candy other nuts besides walnuts?

Of course! You can use this same recipe to make other delicious snacks like candied pecans, almonds, cashew nuts, or mixed nuts.

Why are my candied nuts chewy?

If the sugar coating on the nuts isn't crunchy and brittle, then the brown sugar mixture didn't cook long enough. Be sure to cook these nuts until the sugar mixture thickens and becomes sticky. It should reach "hard crack" stage of 300 degrees.

Do candied nuts need to be refrigerated?

No. Candied walnuts do not need to be refrigerated. Store them in a cool, dry place. If you place them in the refrigerator, they can pick up moisture, which can affect their crunchy candy coating.

What is the best way to store candied walnuts?

Store completely cooled candied walnuts at room temperature in an airtight container or covered mason jar in a cool, dry place for about 2 weeks.

Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (7)

Try Candied Walnuts On ...

  • Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
  • Pea and Asparagus Salad

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📖 Recipe

Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (12)

Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts

Cara Lanz

Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts are deliciously sweet, spicy, crunchy, and salty -- and they cook in under 5 minutes! They make a tasty snack, salad topping, holiday gift, and a great addition to your cheese board.

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 16

Calories 67 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup walnuts
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Prepare a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

  • Add all of the ingredients to a nonstick skillet.

    Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a simmer.

    When the mixture starts to bubble, frequently stir the nuts for 3-4 minutes or until the liquid evaporates, the sugar mixture thickens, and the nuts are evenly coated in a glossy glaze (with very little caramel sauce left in the pan).

  • Quickly pour the nuts onto the prepared baking sheet and separate them with a spatula. Let them cool completely.

  • Store candied walnuts in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Add the candied walnut ingredients to an unheated pan.

Keep the walnuts in a single layer while they simmer in the caramel glaze.

Don't walk away from the stove while these are cooking. Nuts can go from uncooked to burned in a red hot second.

For a nice crunchy coating (not sticky), cook the sugar mixture to "hard crack" stage at 300 degrees.

Nutrition

Calories: 67kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 43mgPotassium: 37mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 26IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.2mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (13)Morgan says

    Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (14)
    I also wanted to add, I didn't add Cayenne Pepper, and they are still delicious for those who don't want the heat! I added a 1/2 tsp of vanilla in the last minute of cooking; we love vanilla. I can see making these often in the future!

    Reply

    • Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (15)Cara Lanz says

      Thank you!

      Reply

  2. Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (16)Morgan says

    Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (17)
    These are delicious and my family thinks they are amazing! It's so easy, too. The recipe is perfectly written, thank you.
    I do not have a non-stick pan, so I would pass this tip on to those who also do not have one: soak your pan in hot water with at least two tablespoons of baking soda, and some dishwashing liquid. Let it sit and it will be easy to clean.
    Thanks again for a great recipe!

    Reply

    • Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (18)Cara Lanz says

      Thank you for the great tip! I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed them :).

      Reply

  3. Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (19)Katie says

    Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (20)
    I didn’t add the cayenne. I had a bunch of walnuts I needed to use up and this was a yummy treat

    Reply

    • Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (21)Cara Lanz says

      I'm so glad you enjoyed them 🙂

      Reply

  4. Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (22)Paula Armstrmong says

    It was so easy to make and very tasty. I think I may add a quarter of a teaspoon of vanilla the next time. The whole family loves it!

    Reply

    • Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (23)Cara Lanz says

      Oh good, I'm so glad everyone enjoyed them! Vanilla sounds like a lovely addition :). Cara

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (2024)

FAQs

How much sugar is in candied walnuts? ›

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Sugars 6.7g
Protein 3.8g8%
Vitamin A 0.3µg0%
Vitamin C 0.3mg0%
12 more rows
Nov 23, 2015

Do candied walnuts go bad? ›

Yes, candied nuts can go bad. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month for best results.

Why are my candied walnuts soft? ›

Storing Candied Nuts

Let the candied nuts cool for at least 20 minutes or until completely cool. You don't want to package warm nuts or the moisture will cause condensation which will soften the candy coating.

Why are my candied nuts wet? ›

If your candied pecans are sticky, it is likely because the sugar syrup coating has not completely hardened. The syrup may still be wet, or it may have started to crystalize. If the syrup is still wet, you can try putting the nuts in the oven for a few minutes to help the syrup harden.

Can diabetics eat walnuts? ›

The most important nuts for people with diabetes are probably the ones that improve cardiovascular health: almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, namely. If you only incorporate a few nuts into your diet, choose these ones. But be sure to avoid the salted varieties.

How many walnuts can a diabetic eat? ›

According to a review of clinical trials, consumption of 2–3 servings of walnuts per day has been found to consistently decrease total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Consumption of walnuts has also been shown to improve endothelial function (EF) in individuals with hypercholesterolemia and type 2 diabetes.

Can rancid walnuts make you sick? ›

Eating rancid food won't make you sick, but the new molecules that form as oxidation occurs may lead to digestive issues. Rancid foods are also less nutritious because oxidation destroys the good fats and some of the vitamin content.

Can you eat nuts 2 years out of date? ›

A: Nuts can't expire; however, they can change in taste or go rancid. Nuts contain much-unsaturated fat, an oil that makes nuts likely to go rancid. Nuts spoil faster when exposed to light, air, or heat.

How long do candied walnuts stay good? ›

Okay, all bad dad jokes aside, these candied walnuts will last quite a while. All nuts do go rancid eventually, but as long as you cool them completely and then store them in an air-tight container, they should be good for about a month.

Why do my walnuts taste funny? ›

Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.

What do rancid walnuts look like? ›

You can tell walnuts are turning old if they are rubbery or shriveled. They have turned rancid if they have a strange odor similar to paint thinner. Throw away rancid walnuts! Store shelled or unshelled walnuts safely in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.

How do you get the rancid taste out of walnuts? ›

To make rancid walnuts tasty again, a "chemical engineer" (consulted for this purpose) advises to soak the rancid walnuts in milk or other emulsive ingredient which is then rinsed off with hot water, and the nuts gently dried and roasted with sea salt.

What to do if candied nuts are sticky? ›

Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt makes these taste salty-sweet. If you'd prefer to not taste the salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325° F and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

What can I do with soggy nuts? ›

Just toasting them in a dry pan or oven should be enough to revive them, but they'll also go in any recipe that requires nuts. We got through most of ours by toasting them with spices, to eat as nibbles or to add crunch to soups, stews and salads. I also made a vivid green marzipan with some of the pistachios.

How do you fix soggy nuts? ›

Spread the stale snacks out on a cookie sheet and place in a 350o F oven. Let them bake for about 10 minutes and then remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cooled the snacks should be crispy and refreshed. You can use this method with fresh nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts, etc.

Do walnuts raise blood sugar? ›

Walnuts are known to help build resistance for insulin, control blood glucose levels and lower the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes. 2. They are rich in dietary fibres. Fibres take long to breakdown and digest, which ensures slow release of sugar in the bloodstream.

Do walnuts spike sugar? ›

Walnuts also contain fiber. There is evidence that both insoluble and soluble fiber can help improve blood sugar levels, reduce cholesterol, and lower the risk of some of the complications of diabetes. Walnuts are available in grocery stores or for purchase online.

How much sugar is in a handful of walnuts? ›

A single serving of walnuts only contains about 3.8 grams of carbohydrates. A very small amount of that is starch (0.017g) and a small amount is naturally occurring sugar (0.7g).

Can diabetics eat walnuts and pecans? ›

Nuts are a super snack food for people with diabetes because they're the total package — low in carbs and high in protein, fiber, and healthy fat — and they create a feeling of fullness,” says Cheryl Mussatto, RD, founder of Eat Well to Be Well in Osage City, Kansas.

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