Candied walnuts are a sweet crunchy party snack. They’re a classic topping for watermelon arugula salad and strawberry spinach salad drizzled with creamy balsamic dressing. Assemble these glazed walnuts in 10 minutes!
INGREDIENTS
Don’t buy caramelized nuts at the market. Save money. Make them at home. All you need are these 4 basic ingredients!
- Raw walnuts (halves or pieces)
- Granulated sugar
- Butter
- Pure vanilla extract
EASY INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS
Missing an ingredient for this candied walnuts recipe? Don’t put on your shoes and head to the store. Instead, check your fridge and pantry for these easy ingredient swaps.
- RAW WALNUTS: Use raw pecans. They’re the best even swap!
- GRANULATED SUGAR: Use brown sugar or coconut sugar. Another option: 1/4 cup maple syrup (reduce butter to 1/2 tablespoon).
- BUTTER: Use margarine instead.
- VANILLA EXTRACT: No worries if you don’t have this ingredient on hand. To add lovely flavor to these caramelized nuts, add 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
how to make candied walnuts
Make this glazed walnuts recipe in 4 easy steps!
RECIPE PREP: Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a reusable silicone baking mat. Do NOT use waxed paper, as walnuts will stick to it. Pull out 2 rubber spatulas. Grease them with butter to prevent sticking.
- STEP 1: Heat a wide non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts, butter and sugar.
- STEP 2: Stir constantly, about 3 to 5 minutes. As the butter and sugar melt, they’ll create a thick syrup. Keep a close eye on the caramelized mixture. We don’t want it to burn!
- STEP 3: Once walnuts are fully coated, MOVE QUICKLY. Remove the pan from heat. Add vanilla extract. Because of the hot pan, the vanilla will bubble up. There may be some light popping. Swirl the pan to combine.
- STEP 4: Immediately transfer nuts to the lined baking tray. WORK FAST! With rubber spatulas, quickly separate the nuts before they clump together. Cool 5 to 8 minutes, or until the coating hardens.
RECIPE FAQ
Below are the most frequently asked questions, along with the best answers, for this easy glazed walnuts recipe.
Start by melting butter and granulated sugar in the pan. Stir to combine. As hot mixture starts to become golden, add the walnuts. Stir and flip walnuts until they’re completely coated in caramel. Transfer to a lined tray. Separate with rubber spatulas or rubber-tipped tongs.
Spoon them into a bowl. Serve them as a party snack! Sprinkle them over your favorite garden salad. Enjoy them as a topping for yogurt or ice cream. Add them to your favorite trail mix. Toss them into salted white popcorn. Use them for honey walnut shrimp!
When stored in a zip-top bag on the counter, candied walnuts can stay fresh for up to 1 week. When stored in the fridge in an air-tight container, they can last up to 3 weeks.
During the fall and Thanksgiving season, add a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the mix. It’s ideal for the holidays!
Yes. You can definitely freeze glazed walnuts. Pack them in an air-tight container. Freeze up to 1 month. They may lose a bit of crispness when defrosted, but will still taste amazing!
Try almonds, pecans, cashews, Macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, or mixed nuts. All caramelize well when using this stovetop recipe.
MORE EASY RECIPES
If you love quick money-saving recipes like these DIY candied walnuts, then you’ll really enjoy these too. Each is delicious and easy to assemble. Add them to your recipe arsenal right now!
RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Friends say this is the best recipe for candied walnuts. They enjoy them on crisp summer salads, and for fall and Thanksgiving recipes. They also make great gifts. Add caramelized nuts to a cellophane bag. Close it with a ribbon.
If you enjoyed learning how to make glazed walnuts, give this easy recipe a 5-star rating in the comments. And share it with a friend!
CANDIED WALNUTS
- Total Time: 10 Minutes
- Yield: 1 Cup 1x
Description
Save money with this easy recipe! Make candied walnuts at home. Assemble a batch on stovetop in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw walnuts (halves or pieces)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
RECIPE PREP: Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a reusable silicone baking mat. Do NOT use waxed paper, as walnuts will stick to it. Pull out 2 rubber spatulas. Grease them with butter to prevent sticking. Put them aside.
- Heat a wide non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts, butter and sugar.
- Stir constantly, about 3 to 5 minutes. As the butter and sugar melt, they’ll create a thick syrup. Keep a close eye on the caramelized mixture. We don’t want it to burn!
- Once walnuts are fully coated, MOVE QUICKLY. Remove the pan from heat. Add vanilla extract. Because of the hot pan, the vanilla will bubble up. There may be some light popping. Swirl the pan to combine.
- Immediately transfer nuts to the lined baking tray. WORK FAST! With prepared rubber spatulas, quickly separate the nuts before they clump together. Cool 5 to 8 minutes, or until the coating hardens.
Notes
HOW TO MAKE LIGHTLY-TOASTED CANDIED WALNUTS: Want walnuts that are more tender and lighter in color? Start by melting butter and granulated sugar in the pan. Stir to combine. As the hot mixture starts to become golden, add the walnuts. Stir and flip walnuts until they’re completely coated in caramel. Transfer to a lined tray and separate with a pair of rubber-tipped tongs or rubber spatulas.
HOW TO STORE GLAZED WALNUTS: Scoop them into an air-tight container. When stored on the countertop counter, these candied walnuts can stay fresh for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze for up to 1 month. They may lose a bit of crispness when defrosted, but will still taste amazing!
OTHER NUTS TO USE WITH THIS RECIPE: Try almonds, pecans, cashews, Macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, or mixed nuts. All caramelize well when using this stovetop recipe.
WAYS TO ENJOY THIS YUMMY RECIPE: Spoon candied walnuts into a bowl. Serve them as a party snack! Sprinkle a handful over your favorite garden salad. Enjoy them as a topping for yogurt or ice cream. Add them to your favorite trail mix. Toss them into salted white popcorn. Use them for honey walnut shrimp!
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 5 Minutes
- Category: Toppings
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Candied Walnuts, Glazed Walnuts, Candied Walnuts Recipe, Glazed Walnuts Recipe, Caramelized Nuts
CANDIDED WALNUTS > JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Are you a lover of glazed walnuts? Do you normally buy them at the market already prepared? Did you know how quick and easy it is to make these at home? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Candied nuts are so addicting, but I’ve never tried walnuts, these look really good!!
★★★★★
I love trying new ways to prepare walnuts, and this recipe was quick, easy and delicious! I need to make another batch for this weekend.
★★★★★
Looking forward to trying this – never done walnuts before. It looks pretty fantastic! Thanks.
★★★★★
I love sweet nuts and these look amazing. I could snack on them all.
★★★★★
Can’t wait to top all my salads with this! They look perfect, and so simple. Getting ready to throw together a batch right now!
★★★★★