These easy candied walnuts are sweet, crunchy, and ready in just 5 minutes. Perfect for snacking, salads, desserts, and more.
I originally made them for honey walnut shrimp, but they were so addictive that I could not stop eating them.
Sweet, crunchy, and caramelized, they disappeared faster than the actual dinner I made them for.
And I still can’t believe how easy they are to make.The proportion between the effort and payoff is completely backwards. The hardest part is walking away from the tray.
Why You’ll Love This Candied Walnuts Recipe
- Irresistibly crunchy: These candied walnuts have a crisp sugary coating and a rich nutty flavor that makes them hard to stop snacking on.
- Quick to make: They come together in 5 minutes.
- Simple ingredients: You only need walnuts, sugar, salt, and water.
- Delicious on everything: They add sweet, salty, crunchy flavor to shrimp, salads, desserts, yogurt, oatmeal, and snack boards.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Walnut halves: Use fresh walnut halves for the best flavor and crunch.
- Sugar: White sugar creates a sweet, crisp coating around the walnuts.
- Salt: A little salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavor of the walnuts.
- Water: Water helps dissolve the sugar so it can coat the walnuts evenly as it cooks.
How to Make Candied Walnuts
1. Combine the ingredients.
Add the walnuts, sugar, salt, and water to a pan over medium heat.
2. Cook the syrup.
Cook, stirring continuously, for 3 to 5 minutes, until the sugar syrup fully evaporates and coats the walnuts.
3. Transfer the walnuts.
Move the candied walnuts to a parchment-lined tray right away.
4. Separate and cool.
Spread the walnuts out so they do not stick together, then let them cool completely before using or storing.
Tips for the Best Candied Walnuts
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: A smaller batch allows the walnuts to coat more evenly and crisp up better.
- Watch the sugar closely: Sugar can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt very quickly toward the end of cooking.
- Cool the walnuts in a single layer: Piling them together traps steam and can soften the coating.
- Avoid humid environments: Moisture in the air can make candied walnuts sticky and less crunchy over time.
- Store them properly: Keep the walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature to help maintain their crunch.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add cinnamon: Stir in a pinch of cinnamon for a warmer flavor that works especially well during the holidays.
- Make them spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder for sweet heat.
- Try different nuts: Use pecans, almonds, or cashews instead of walnuts.
- Add vanilla: Stir in a small splash of vanilla extract near the end for extra flavor.
Ways to Use Candied Walnuts
- Honey walnut shrimp: Use them for honey walnut shrimp for the classic sweet, crunchy topping.
- Salads: Add them to salads for extra crunch and sweetness.
- Yogurt and oatmeal: Sprinkle them over yogurt or oatmeal.
- Desserts: Use them as a topping for ice cream or cheesecake.
- Charcuterie boards: Add them to charcuterie boards for a sweet and salty bite.
- Holiday gifts: Package them in jars or bags for easy homemade gifts.
How to Store Candied Walnuts
Let the candied walnuts cool completely before storing them. Transfer them to an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Avoid refrigerating them since moisture can make the coating sticky and soften the crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my candied walnuts sticky?
Candied walnuts turn sticky when the sugar syrup has not cooked long enough. Keep cooking and stirring until the liquid fully evaporates and the walnuts look dry, and no wet syrup is left in the pan.
Humidity can also make them sticky after cooling, so make sure the walnuts cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.
How do you keep candied walnuts crunchy?
Let the walnuts cool completely in a single layer so steam can escape. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to help them stay crisp.
Can I make candied walnuts ahead of time?
Yes. Candied walnuts keep well for several days. Once fully cooled, store them in an airtight container until ready to use.
Do candied walnuts need to be refrigerated?
No, candied walnuts do not need to be refrigerated. They stay best at room temperature because refrigeration can introduce moisture and soften the coating.
Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?
Yes, but the coating will be slightly stickier and softer instead of light and crunchy like it is with white sugar.
More Easy Desserts You’ll Love
Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
Milk Chocolate Truffles
Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Walnuts
Chocolate Dream Cake
White Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Easy Candied Walnuts Recipe (Ready in 5 Minutes)
Instructions
- Add the walnuts, sugar, salt, and water to a pan over medium heat.
- Cook, stirring continuously, for 3 to 5 minutes, until the sugar syrup fully evaporates and coats the walnuts.
- Transfer the candied walnuts to a parchment-lined tray, spreading them out so they do not stick together.
- Let them cool completely before using or storing.
