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    Home » Recipes » Candy & Treats

    Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts

    Published: Mar 27, 2023 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    brown sugar candied walnuts on a white countertop and in a cast iron skillet
    brown sugar candied walnuts on a white countertop
    brown sugar candied walnuts on a white countertop
    brown sugar candied walnuts on a white countertop

    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 in a white bowl on a surrounded by walnuts on a white countertop.

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    Jump to:
    • 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 ingredients.

    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 ingredients in a nonstick skillet.

    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 in a nonstick skillet.

    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.

    spatula sliding brown sugar candied walnuts onto parchment paper.

    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 in a white bowl on a surrounded by walnuts on a white countertop.

    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 on a white countertop on a spinach strawberry salad.

    Try Candied Walnuts On ...

    • strawberry goat cheese salad on a white platter
      Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad
    • roasted brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes on white plate
      Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
    • stack of pumpkin pancakes toped with caramlized bananas, toasted pecans, and syrup on a white plate
      Thick & Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes with Pancake Mix
    • Roasted Pea and Asparagus Salad
      Pea and Asparagus Salad

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    📖 Recipe

    brown sugar candied walnuts in a white bowl on a surrounded by walnuts on a white countertop

    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 Saved 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
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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, keep the nuts in a single layer and frequently stir 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!
    « Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad
    Caprese Spinach and Arugula Salad »
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    Comments

    1. Tori says

      November 17, 2024 at 5:35 pm

      Can you double this recipe ?

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        November 17, 2024 at 11:31 pm

        Hi, Tori, I haven't tried it, but it should work if you have a skillet large enough to keep the nuts in a single layer while they simmer. Let me know how it goes!

        Reply
    2. HelenMae says

      July 27, 2024 at 10:10 pm

      Super easy, tasted delish! Will be using these to mix into homemade maple ice cream.

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        July 28, 2024 at 11:25 am

        What a delicious idea to use them in ice cream :). So glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    3. Carmen Perez says

      June 21, 2024 at 6:03 pm

      Super easy thank you.

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        June 21, 2024 at 7:38 pm

        You're welcome!

        Reply
    4. Morgan says

      March 26, 2024 at 7:03 am

      5 stars
      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
      • Cara Lanz says

        March 26, 2024 at 9:48 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Morgan says

      March 26, 2024 at 6:58 am

      5 stars
      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
      • Cara Lanz says

        March 26, 2024 at 9:47 am

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

        Reply
    6. Katie says

      March 05, 2024 at 1:49 am

      5 stars
      I didn’t add the cayenne. I had a bunch of walnuts I needed to use up and this was a yummy treat

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        March 05, 2024 at 11:10 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed them 🙂

        Reply
    7. Paula Armstrmong says

      August 10, 2023 at 10:35 pm

      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
      • Cara Lanz says

        August 11, 2023 at 10:34 am

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

        Reply
    5 from 6 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Cara!

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