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These easy Candied Walnuts are coated with brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla, then baked until crisp and caramelized. This simple candied walnut recipe takes just 5 minutes to prep and is perfect for snacking, salads, cheese boards and homemade holiday gifts.
Table of Contents
Kellie’s Note
Sweet and Nutty
Every year, as the holiday season approaches the spiced nut carts start popping up around town. Mainly at outdoor shopping complexes or in the city but, wherever they are, I can smell them from a mile away. I love them. I go nuts for the nuts, it reminds me of the roasted chestnut carts steaming away on the corners of New York City at Christmas time.
Right now, let’s get back to the nuts. And by nuts, I mean the Cinnamon Candied Walnuts I promised.
Candied Walnuts are really handy to have in your back pocket, literally. You may need them to broker a deal on a parking space, to win that last pair of suede gloves or to give to a last minute surprise holiday guest during the holiday season. You know those people that pop in without notice, they happen.
Why You Will Love This Candied Walnut Recipe
- Quick prep: You only need about 5 minutes to get these walnuts ready for the oven.
- Simple ingredients: Everything you need is easy to find and you may already have most of it in your pantry.
- Sweet and crunchy: Brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla create a crisp, caramelized coating.
- Easy to customize: Change the spices or swap the walnuts for pecans.
- So many ways to use them: Serve them as a snack or add them to salads, cheese boards, desserts and holiday gift jars.
Ingredients for Candied Walnuts
- Nuts – It all starts with the nuts. I like to use whole walnut halves for my candied nuts. You can substitute with pecans to make Candied Pecans, if you prefer.
- Sugar – I love the rich flavor of brown sugar. You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar. It caramelizes beautifully and goes well with the buttery flavor of the walnuts.
- Seasoning – You can keep it simple with cinnamon or you can go with something a bit more trendy like Chai Spice Mix or Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice.
- Eggs – The egg whites act as a binding agent helping the cinnamon sugar mixture adhere to the nuts. They also help the coating become glossy and and crisp when baked.
For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.
How To Make Candied Walnuts
- Coat the walnuts. Add the walnuts, egg white, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon to a large bowl. Stir until the walnuts are evenly coated.
- Spread on the pan. Arrange the walnuts in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, until the sugar coating looks bubbling and thick.
- Cool completely. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack and let the walnuts cool completely. The coating will continue to crisp as it cools.
- Break apart. Separate any walnuts that baked together before serving or storing.
Kellie’s Tips for Perfect Candied Walnuts
- Start with fresh walnuts. Older walnuts can taste bitter or stale, and the sweet coating will not completely hide it.
- Coat them thoroughly. Take an extra minute to stir so the egg white and brown sugar mixture covers every walnut.
- Keep them in one layer. Spreading the walnuts out helps them bake more evenly and prevents one large cluster from forming.
- Watch the coating. The sugar mixture should look bubbling and thick when the walnuts are ready to come out of the oven.
- Let them cool completely. The coating becomes crisper as it cools, so the walnuts may still seem slightly soft when they first come out of the oven.
- Do not store them warm. Trapped moisture can soften the candy coating.
Candied Nut Variations
This easy candied walnut recipe is simple to customize depending on how you plan to serve them.
- Spicy Candied Walnuts: Add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper with the cinnamon for a sweet and spicy version.
- Extra Cinnamon: Use cinnamon sugar for an extra boost of warm cinnamon flavor.
- Chai Spiced: Swap the cinnamon for your favorite chai spice blend.
- Maple or Honey: Liquid sweeteners can produce a softer, slightly different coating than brown sugar, so expect the final texture to vary.
- Different Nuts: Pecans work especially well, or try a combination of walnuts and pecans.
Ways to Serve Candied Walnuts
Candied walnuts are just as good for snacking as they are for adding sweet crunch to your favorite recipes. Try them:
- Packed into small jars for an easy homemade holiday gift
- On a cheese board or Charcuterie Board
- Tossed into a Pear Salad, apple salad or spinach salad
- Sprinkled over yogurt, oatmeal or pumpkin pancakes
- Chopped and scattered over ice cream or other desserts
- Added to Green Beans for a sweet and savory crunch
- Sprinkled over Butternut Squash Risotto
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 10 days.
Make sure the walnuts are completely cool before sealing the container. Any trapped warmth can create condensation and soften the crisp sugar coating.
Can You Freeze Candied Walnuts?
Yes. Once the candied walnuts are completely cool, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container. Let them come back to room temperature before serving.
More Easy Food Gift Ideas
You could also make a batch of these sweet and spicy almonds to go with the walnuts and a jar of caramel sauce for the ultimate holiday treat.
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Candied Walnuts Recipe
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 spatula
- silicone baking mat or parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 cups walnut halves and pieces
- 1 large egg white
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Coat the walnuts. Add the walnuts, egg white, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon to a medium bowl. Stir until the walnuts are evenly coated.
- Bake. Spread the walnuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the sugar coating is bubbling and thick.
- Cool. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack and cool completely. The coating will become crisp as it cools.
- Separate and store. Break apart any walnuts that have stuck together and transfer to an airtight container.
Video
Notes
- Candied walnuts should be completely cool before storing.
- Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days.
- For the best texture, do not seal the walnuts in a container while they are still warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I use pecans instead of walnuts?
Yes. Pecans work very well in this recipe and can be substituted for the walnuts. Use pecan halves or large pieces so they coat and bake evenly.
Why are my candied walnuts sticky?
Candied walnuts may still feel slightly soft when they first come out of the oven because the coating continues to harden as it cools. Make sure the sugar coating is bubbling and thick before removing them from the oven, then let the walnuts cool completely before storing them.
Why are my candied walnuts not crunchy?
The walnuts become crisper as they cool, so let them cool completely before judging their texture. They can also soften if they are stored while still warm because condensation gets trapped inside the container.
Can I make candied walnuts ahead of time?
Yes. Candied walnuts are a great make-ahead snack, salad topping or holiday gift. Let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I double this candied walnut recipe?
Yes. Make sure the walnuts can still be spread in a single layer. If the pan feels crowded, divide the walnuts between two baking sheets so they bake evenly.
How do I know when candied walnuts are done?
The sugar coating should look bubbling and thick when the walnuts come out of the oven. They will continue to crisp and harden as they cool.
Can I make candied walnuts on the stovetop?
This particular candied walnut recipe was developed for the oven. Stovetop candied walnuts use a different cooking technique and require close attention to the caramelized sugar, so I recommend using a recipe specifically tested for the stovetop rather than converting this one.
What can I serve with candied walnuts?
Candied walnuts are delicious as a snack and make a great addition to salads, cheese boards, oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, roasted vegetables and desserts. They also make an easy homemade holiday gift.
I am making a variety of nuts to ultimately be mixed in one bowl. Reading the recipe and nutrition for your Easy Candied Walnuts Recipe has me confused. Yes, I’m looking at separate recipes for several different nuts, which will be mixed together for serving. I regress. The nutrients you have say that the calories are 76 calories and the serving says 1 g. Is that possible? The 1 g is such a miniscule amount??? Maybe you meant 1/4 cup or less?? Just verifying the amount, truly. The recipe sounds so tasty that I’ll make it anyway and answer no questions, eh?