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These caramelized, candied walnuts are quite a treat. Toss them into your salad, over popcorn, or straight into your mouth. Crunch. Crunch.
I love this easy method of making the candied nuts where everything goes into the pan at once. Other methods I’ve tried left me with globs of candy on the nuts rather than a more even coating.
It also roasts the nuts at the same time so you don’t have to pre-toast them, then add them back to the pan to be coated, blah, blah. Who needs extra steps?
It seriously takes about 5 minutes on the stove and 5 minutes to cool. The finished product is delicious! My husband was sampling them right out of the pan. P.S. This recipe can easily be doubled.
Ingredients for Candied Walnuts:
1 cup walnut halves/pieces (you can also use this recipe for candied pecans)
1/4 cup white granulated sugar (not coarse sugar)
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
How To MakeΒ 5 Minute Candied Walnuts:
1. Heat a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, add 1 cup walnuts, 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 Tbsp butter.
2. Heat over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently (with a heat proof non-plastic spatula) so your mixture doesn’t burn (especially towards the end). When the sugar mixture starts melting, stir constantly until all sugar is melted and nuts are coated.
3. Transfer immediately onto a sheet of parchment paper and separate the nuts right away. Using two spatulas will make this task go faster.
You don’t want to give the nuts a chance to turn into a wad of inseparable delicious goodness unless you are the only person who will be enjoying the wad ;). Seriously, move quickly from the time the nuts are coated until they are separated out on the parchment paper.
Once the coating hardens (5-7 minutes), you can transfer them to a bowl and either inhale them right then and there or save ’em for a salad or something.
Enjoy, Β {crunch}Β pin it to your “recipes to keep forever” board, {crunch. crunch}Β and let me know how you liked the candied walnuts! {Crunch. Cruuunch. Crunch}Β
5 minute Candied Walnuts

Ingredients
- 1 cup walnut halves/pieces, you can also use this recipe for candied pecans
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar, (not coarse sugar)
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Heat a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, add 1 cup walnuts, 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 Tbsp butter.
- Heat over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently so your mixture doesn't burn (especially towards the end). When the sugar mixture starts melting, stir constantly until all sugar is melted and nuts are coated.
- Transfer immediately onto a sheet of parchment paper and separate the nuts right away. Using two spatulas will make this task go faster. You don't want to give the nuts a chance to turn into a wad of inseparable delicious goodness unless you are the only person who will be enjoying the wad ;). Seriously, move quickly from the time the nuts are coated until they are separated out on the parchment paper.
- Once the coating hardens (5-7 minutes), you can transfer them to a bowl and enjoy!
P.S. If you haven’t allready, make sure to try ourΒ honey roasted almonds. They are also amazing
I have made them several times and sprinkled them over a cream cheese frosted hummingbird cake. Always gets rave reviews!!!!
Wow, that does sound delicious! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers Katie!
Yummy, easy, and fast!
I’m glad you enjoy the recipe Shamra! Thanks for sharing! π
I made your great recipe with pecans and included a bt of apple pie spice. Then I roughly chopped some of the cooled candied nuts and sprinkled them as a garnish over whipping cream. Looked and tasted great on top of apple or pumpkin pie
Yum, that sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing your great tip with other readers Cathy!
I made this today for the first time ever making candied nuts. Directions were easy to follow. The end product was unbelievable!!! Just enough sugar without being to sweet. Thank you. Will be making this again!
You’re welcome Betty! I’m glad to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!
Made these last night. Delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
You’re welcome Lesley! I’m glad to hear that!
Thank you for this recipe! I was looking for something simple. This worked perfectly.
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe!
These are sooo good! Love the simple method and detailed instructions. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome Areti! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe so much! Thanks for sharing your great review!
Hi! Great recipe ! Can it be used for hazelnut as well?
Hi Ritu, I haven’t tried hazelnut for this, but I do think it’s worth an experiment! π
Great recipe Natasha. So easy and quick yet really moves a meal up a notch.
Thanks Julie! I’m glad to hear you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing π
Would I be able to substitute the sugar with granulated splenda?
I haven’t tried that so I have no idea if it would caramelize properly. I actually have no experience with splenda to be honest. Maybe someone else has some insight into this. Thanks in advance! π
I made this recipe several times and I love it. My friends also love it.
They asked me to make some for them. It is very simple and very tasty. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you for the amazing review π
what if you dont have wax paper??
Hi Shawna, parchment paper would also work and possibly even a silicone liner (silpat)
Just made these twice and they turned out great. Frist time made exact recipe and nuts were heavily carmelized. Second time added and extra 3/4 cup nuts to the recipe and they were lightly sugared –also added a light sprinkling of sea salt to second batch. Great recipe, thanks for sharing it.
Thank you for the nice review π¬
I made this tonight in preparation for my salad for tomorrow night dinner. I can’t stop eating them! Delicious! Thank you
You’re welcome Valerie! I’m glad to hear you love the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review!
That is very tasty! Recommend add seasame seeds during cooking for punch of flavors!!! 6 stars i wish!!
I’m happy to hear you like the recipe Ian! Thanks for sharing your tip and great review for other readers!
Super delicious and easy. Might even try making a batch with peanuts. The candy is perfect and doesn’t stick to my teeth. Thank you for this great recipe!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe as much as I do! Thanks for sharing your great review!
I made these on a whim this afternoon. Super quick, super easy, really tasty! Thank you, Natasha! I’ll have to check out your other recipes!
My pleasure Jaxy! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Please let me know what you think of any others you decide to try!
Came out rather well…..thank you
I’m glad to hear that Preet! Thanks for sharing π
I just made these and they are delicious! I can’t stop eating them!!! Thanks for such an easy recipe!
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review Kath! π
These did not turn out like the picture shows. Instead of being caramelized, they were just coated in sugar. Use maple syrup instead
Hi, did you alter anything in the recipe or possibly use a course sugar? That takes longer to melt so it isn’t ideal. I hope that helps! I haven’t tried with maple syrup – did that work well for you?