Add a gourmet touch to your salads or desserts with Candied Walnuts.
Candied walnuts can elevate your tossed salad to something you relish instead of something you know you should eat. While you can buy them already candied (usually in the produce section, near the bagged croutons and other salad add-ons), making your own is a smarter economic move. Plus, you can make a bunch and have them on hand when you want them.
Candied nuts have been around for centuries and are enjoyed for desserts or snacks. In Medieval Europe and the Middle East, cooks were coating nuts in honey or sugar syrup to enhance their flavor and extend their shelf life. This also made them easier to transport at a time when travel was slow.
You will love making your own candied walnuts to use in salads, snacks, and desserts. Three simple ingredients transform raw walnuts into a treat, with the final product having a sweet, slightly crunchy coating that complements the naturally earthy crunch of fresh walnuts. Their rich and caramelized flavor makes them an addictive treat, and they pair well with savory or sweet foods.
Tips for success
While the process of making candied walnuts is not complicated or long, timing can be tricky. For instance, if you don’t cook them long enough, they will just turn out sticky, and if you leave them in the pan a little too long, the high sugar content means they will burn quickly. The nonstick skillet and constant stirring with a wooden spoon are both helpful. Make sure you don’t get distracted or walk away from the pan. Once the nuts are fully coated, they’re done.
How do I store leftovers?
Candied walnuts store well in an airtight container or mason jar at room temperature. Packed this way, they will keep for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months, but they will not be quite as crunchy as before going into the freezer.
Serving suggestions
You can mix things up a bit by adding some spice or extra seasoning. For instance, if you like things spicy, add a half to one teaspoon of chili powder. Alternatively, you can curate the flavor by adding in a half teaspoon of cinnamon. To serve, sprinkle candied walnuts onto your favorite tossed salad, such as Apple-Walnut Salad or Green Salad. Candied walnuts also taste wonderful on top of a breakfast Yogurt Parfait or atop a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Candied Walnuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnut halves
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Place a nonstick skillet on the stove and heat it over medium heat.
- Add the walnuts, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and unsalted butter to the skillet. Stir gently so the butter melts and the sugar starts to coat the walnuts.
- Keep stirring constantly for about 5 to 7 minutes. Watch closely as the sugar melts and the walnuts become evenly coated. Be careful not to burn them.
- Immediately pour the walnuts onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a spatula to separate any clumps before the coating hardens.
- Let the candied walnuts cool completely. Once cool, serve as a snack or topping. Store in an airtight container.
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