I'll show you how to make candied walnuts to enjoy for a crunchy, deliciously sweet snack, a topping for salads, or to give as food gifts for the Christmas season. The best part is, you only need 5 ingredients to make this candied nuts recipe!
Candied nuts are one of my favorite sweet snacks, and they're beyond simple to make! It's a nice food gift to make during the Christmas season, or to serve for Mother's Day, at bridal showers, or just about any other party.
Of course, they are delicious by the handful, but their sweet crunch is also perfect in yogurt, over ice cream, on a cheese plate, or in an apple salad.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Beyond easy to make. You only need 5 ingredients, it only takes 20 minutes for them to bake in the oven.
- Customizable. If you don't like walnuts, you can use a different nut, and/or swap out the spices for anything you like.
- An easy homemade gift to share. Just about everyone appreciates getting a batch of homemade candied walnuts! Put them in mason jars, wrap them with ribbon, and gift them to your neighbors and friends.
Ingredients
See ingredient substitutions in the next section. ⬇️
- walnuts: If you can find walnut halves, those are the best choice. If not, chop whole shelled nuts into large pieces.
- sweeteners: I use maple syrup and granulated sugar. The syrup adds a nice flavor and of course, it's sticky, so the spice mix stays put, too.
- ground spices: You'll need ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Their earthy flavors go well with the nuts and maple syrup.
Important: Be sure to use 100% pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup.
Substitutions and Recipe Variations
- nuts: You can make this candied nuts recipe using any nut you enjoy. Cashews, peanuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and pistachios are all great choices.
- sugar: To reduce the calories a little bit, you can use a granulated sugar substitute like monk fruit sugar. For a touch of molasses flavor, make the glazed nuts with brown sugar instead of white.
- maple syrup: If you need a substitute, you can use honey, agave syrup, or corn syrup, but the glazed walnuts will have a different flavor profile.
Feel free to swap out the ground spices for whatever you have on hand. Other good spices to use for sugared nuts are cardamom, ginger, allspice, apple pie spice, and pumpkin pie spice.
If you want to make a candied nut mix, add some toasted pecans to it!
How to Make Candied Walnuts
Summary only. The complete recipe instructions are in the card at the bottom of this post ⬇️
- Toss the walnuts in maple syrup and spices.
- Arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Bake nuts in preheated oven, flipping them over half way through the cook time.
Liz's Tips for the Best Results
- Line your sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent the sugared nuts from sticking to the pan.
- Be sure to stir or flip them over half way through the cook time. You want the sugar on all sides of the nuts to caramelize.
- Store the glazed nuts in a jar with a tight-fitting lid to prevent them from becoming sticky.
- Avoid storing them in the refrigerator or freezer, as the moisture will soften the sugared candy coating.
Storing and Freezing
Store the candied walnuts at room temperature in a sealed, airtight container located in a dry area of your house. They usually stay fresh for 2-4 weeks.
As I just said, do not refrigerate or freeze glazed walnuts. Unfortunately, the moisture will cause them to lose their crunchiness.
Candied Nuts Recipe FAQ
A sticky sugar coating on candied nuts is typically the result of not baking the sugar long enough and/or at a high enough temperature. Bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes, flipping them over after 10 minutes.
You shouldn't need to reheat them because they're delicious at room temperature. If you want to warm them up a little, bake them for 5 minutes at 200°F, on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Great Uses for Candied Nuts
The sugary glazed walnuts are perfect for including into any of these recipes:
- Mini Carrot Cake Muffins - Chop the walnuts and sprinkle them over the top.
- Fudgy Sweet Potato Brownies - Stir them as-is, right into the brownie batter.
- Quick Apple Bread - This quick bread is SO good with sugared walnuts in it!
- Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies - Stir them into the cookie dough before scooping and baking.
How to Make Candied Walnuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups shelled walnuts halves or larger pieces are best
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ tablespoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add all ingredients to a medium mixing bowl. Stir with a silicone spoon, ensuring that all of the nuts are coated in syrup and spices.
- Spread into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, then use a spatula to turn them over, and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
- Let cool and enjoy!
Helpful Notes and Tips From Liz
- Feel free to use other spices. Some delicious options are cardamom, pumpkin spice, and apple pie spice. For sweet and spicy candied nuts, use cayenne pepper!
- Line your sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent the sugared nuts from sticking to the pan.
- Be sure to stir or flip them over half way through the cook time. You want the sugar on all sides of the nuts to caramelize.
- Store the glazed nuts in a jar with a tight-fitting lid to prevent them from becoming sticky.
- Avoid storing them in the refrigerator or freezer, as the moisture will soften the sugared candy coating.
Mary Nunnery
I just make these glazed walnuts they are crunchy so good, I also put some pecans in with the walnuts a different taste but they are they are still good 😍🥰👍🏾
Farah Maizar
I want to make these immediately to throw onto a salad with blue cheese. They look so crispy, sweet and perfect! Thanks for the timely recipe, and so seasonal too!
Lizet Bowen
Every time I go to the mall, I just want to stand next to the store selling candied nuts. I just love the aroma! Now I don't need to go to the mall, I can make a batch just for myself! great recipe!
Dena mckinney
I tried your candie walnuts and they are great.Made some for my Brother and He Lover Thelm.
Thank You
Wanda
We love munching on a variety of different nuts during December! These look so yummy we will definitely try this recipe!