Candied Walnuts Recipe
Introduction
Candied walnuts are a sweet and crunchy treat that’s perfect for snacking or adding to salads and desserts. This simple recipe creates perfectly caramelized walnuts with a hint of cinnamon and salt to balance the sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1 pound walnut halves
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the walnuts and boil for 5 minutes to remove the bitter taste of the skins. Rinse the nuts with cold water, drain well, and spread out on a paper-towel-lined tray to dry.
- Step 2: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set this sugar mixture aside.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk the water with the egg white until the mixture is airy and light. Add the walnut halves and stir to coat them evenly.
- Step 5: Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the coated walnuts. Mix well so all the nuts are covered in the sugar blend, then spread them evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 6: Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the walnuts are toasted and the sugar has caramelized into a crunchy coating. Allow them to cool before serving or storing.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or vanilla extract to the sugar mixture.
- Try using pecans or almonds as an alternative to walnuts.
- Ensure the walnuts are well dried after boiling to help the coating stick better.
Storage
Store candied walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If you want them crispier after storage, warm them briefly in a low oven before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use powdered sugar instead of brown sugar?
Powdered sugar will not caramelize the same way and may result in a less crunchy coating. Brown sugar is best for the classic texture and flavor.
Why do I boil the walnuts before baking?
Boiling removes the bitter taste from the walnut skins and ensures a smoother, more pleasant flavor in the finished candied nuts.
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Candied Walnuts Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: About 4 cups of candied walnuts 1x
Description
This recipe for Candied Walnuts offers a sweet and crunchy treat perfect for snacking, topping salads, or adding a delightful crunch to desserts. Walnuts are first boiled to remove their bitter skins, then coated in a cinnamon-spiced sugar mixture, and baked until golden and caramelized. The result is a perfectly toasted nut with a crisp, sugary coating infused with warm cinnamon and a hint of saltiness.
Ingredients
Walnuts
- 1 pound walnut halves
Coating
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Boil Walnuts: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the walnut halves and boil them for 5 minutes to remove the bitter taste of the skins. After boiling, rinse the nuts with cold water, drain thoroughly, and spread them out on a paper-towel-lined tray to dry completely.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, stirring them together well. Set this sugar mixture aside for later use.
- Whisk Egg White Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk the egg white together with the tablespoon of water until the mixture is light, airy, and frothy. This will help the sugar mixture adhere to the walnuts.
- Coat Walnuts: Add the dried walnut halves to the egg white mixture and stir well to coat all the walnuts evenly.
- Add Sugar Mixture and Spread: Sprinkle the prepared brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt mixture over the coated walnuts. Mix thoroughly to ensure every walnut is coated. Then spread the walnuts evenly on the lined baking sheet.
- Bake Until Caramelized: Bake the walnuts in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes. Stir the walnuts occasionally during baking to ensure even toasting and caramelization. The nuts are done when they are toasted and the sugar coating has caramelized to a crisp, golden brown.
Notes
- Boiling the walnuts before baking removes their natural bitterness and ensures a smoother flavor.
- Stir the walnuts every 10-15 minutes during baking to prevent burning and promote even caramelization.
- Allow the candied walnuts to cool completely on the baking sheet; they will harden as they cool, resulting in a crisp texture.
- Store candied walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- This recipe can be easily adjusted by adding other spices such as nutmeg or cloves for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: candied walnuts, roasted walnuts, cinnamon sugar walnuts, crunchy nuts, sweet walnuts, candied nuts recipe
