These are very easy to make.
Tricks to Making Candied Walnuts
One trick is to work very fast once the sugar starts melting. Once you mix in the walnuts, the candy syrup cools quickly and the walnuts will stick together. You have 30 seconds or so to separate them before they are forever bonded by glassy, cooked sugar. The other trick is to not burn the walnuts when you toast them. (Yes, we’ve done that before…)
Ways to Use Candied Walnuts
Around the holidays, candied walnuts make a great party snack. You can make them a day or two ahead, and then just set them out in small bowls or serve them alongside a cheese plate for people to snack on. You can even add a sprinkle of minced rosemary or a dash of cinnamon when you stir in the walnuts for some extra holiday flavor. Other times of year, candied walnuts are a delightful addition to lunch salads, mixed into bowls of yogurt, or sprinkled over ice cream. They also make a convenient snack to have in your bag when traveling.
Mix It Up!
Don’t like walnuts? Use pecans, almonds, or any other nut instead. You can also double this batch if needed, though your sugar will take a little longer to caramelize. If you need to make more candied nuts, make them in separate batches rather than trying to make them all at once; it’s more difficult to quickly separate larger batches before the caramelized sugar starts to harden.
How to Store Candied Walnuts
Let your walnuts cool completely, then store them in an airtight container, like glass canning jar, at room temperature. As long as it’s not too humid where you live (Moisture will cause the walnuts to become sticky!), they should stay crunchy for at least a week.
Looking for More Nutty Ideas?
Herb Spiced Mixed Nuts Chipotle Lime Mixed Nuts Caramel Walnuts
How to Make Sure the Glazed Walnuts Don’t Stick
Use a silicone baking mat such as a Silpat. Or line your baking sheet with parchment paper. It may help to spray your mat or paper with some cooking spray to help from sticking even more. Don’t have parchment or a Silpat? Butter your baking sheet and pour out your nuts on that. We don’t recommend wax paper, since the hot sugar will melt the wax, making everything even more sticky.
Try This Brilliant Storage Hack!
Save the packets of silica gel that come in boxes of crackers and cookies. Slip one into the jar or container you keep the candied nuts in. The packet will help absorb moisture from humidity, keeping your nuts from getting sticky.
Salads to Top With Your Candied Walnuts
Arugula Salad with Beets Farmer’s Market Salad with Peaches and Goat Cheese Mixed Green Salad with Goat Cheese and Honey Mustard Vinaigrette Grape and Walnut Side Salad with Blue Cheese Radicchio Salad with Citrus
If not quite toasted enough, toast for 1 or 2 more minutes. Be careful not to burn them. Remove from the oven and let cool in pan on a rack. Place the cooled walnuts in a bowl near the stove. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicon baking mat or parchment paper and place near the stove. Have two forks ready. Keep stirring until all the sugar has melted and the color is a medium amber, Five to 10 minutes (exact timing will depend on your stove top). As soon as the walnuts are coated with the sugar mixture, spread them out on the prepared baking sheet. Use two forks to separate the walnuts from each other, working very quickly. Sprinkle the nuts with the salt.
