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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 think i have made this five times in the past two weeks. i just completed a double portion. A wonderful recipe.
Thank you, and Happy Holidays.
You’re welcome Jon! I’m happy to hear how much you enjoy the recipe. Thanks for sharing your great review and Merry Christmas!
Best recipe and easy. Taste great. LOVE IT.
Iβm happy to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review Crystal!
Iβm eating these off the pan as they cool! Going to add this to my charcuterie board this holiday season. This could not be easier. I can see these beauties on salads, topping for a mashed sweet potato side dish… but most especially for snacking!
I’m glad you love the recipe Catherine! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers!
These taste great and are so easy to make! Mine did turn out a bit sticky though. While that is not a problem for us, they are too sticky for gift giving. π
Hi Susan, did you possibly change anything in the proportions – like adding more butter? They should firm up once they reach room temperature.
Would maple syrup work as a substitute for sugar? Thanks.
Hi Nana, I haven’t tested that but I’m not sure if it would caramelize on the walnuts the same way or it might take much longer since maple syrup is liquid.
First time making these and I tripped the recipe. Mistake, HUGE mistake. I should have made the whole 12 cup bag into these delicious little nuggets. Quick, simple and addictive! Thanks for the great recipe!
You’re welcome Donny! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe. Thanks for sharing your great review!
I’ve done them with sunflower seeds and salted butter…. insane
Great suggestion!
OK – Try this. Take granulated brown sugar maybe 1/4 cup, tablespoon or 2 of vanilla extract, tiny bit of water, shake of salt – cook on medium heat in nonstick pan until well blended, add walnuts….cook until coated, careful not to burn sugar. Heavenly – no butter, crunchy sweet exterior. My 7 year old is begging for them for breakfast.
Yummy! That does sound good! Thanks for sharing your tip with other readers Lisa!
Good morning. I have a recipe similar to this but you use orange juice instead of butter and do it in the microwave. We like the little added punch of the juice. Do you think that your recipe would be okay with a shot of OJ in it??
Hi Joanie, I’m not sure if adding the liquid would keep it from caramelizing correctly on the skillet. I just haven’t tested it to suggest that.
I would love to give these to friends can I put them in a jar for the holidays and how long can they be kept
Hi Susan, I haven’t maxed out the lifespan of these because they always get eaten right away, but keep it at room temperature in low moisture environment and I would guess they’d keep at least a week, maybe longer π
I these on top of pumpkin and banana breads. Amazing!
I’m so glad you love the recipe!! π
I just made these candied walnuts for a Thanksgiving salad and they turned out perfectly! This will be my ‘go-to’ recipe for candied nuts going forward!
Dee, thank you for taking the time to write such a nice review. I’m so happy to hear that π. Have a great Thanksgiving!
I have looked all,over for your recipe! I am so happy I found it….I use Pecans and they are delicious, also! Thank you, again and Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m happy to hear that Marie! Thanks for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving! π
Love this recipe just what I was looking for to make spinach strawberry salad with candid walnuts.I would recommend using a wooden spoon cause my plastic one melted.These are just pertict no spice or other stuff
Hi Michelle, or a silicone one since those are heat proof as well. There are some plastic spatulas that are only meant for spreading frosting π
So easy and delicious!
I’m glad you love the recipe Ruth! Thanks for sharing!
I made your recipe today, using pecans, walnuts and pistachios, so yummy. I like that you make it on the stove top, they are delicious. I like using them in salads and desserts that call for a nut topping, having them candied instead of plain adds a nice taste.
Thank you for a great recipe, one that I will use often.
You’re welcome Patty! I’m glad to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your excellent review with other readers!
I just made these to put on salad. Very easy! Upon discovering that I was out of parchment paper I used aluminum foil with just a spritz of Pam spray. The tip about using two rubber spatulas was a good one!! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome Martha! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers! π
I just made these, and they are delicious! I used a mix of raw pecans, cashews, almonds, and Brazil nuts. Thanks for a terrific recipe.
My pleasure Melissa! I’m happy to hear you love the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers!
I love the flavor but mine keep ending up with gummy sugar bits. Itβs like the sugar doesnβt melt but Iβm afraid if I cook it too long itβll burn. Any suggestions?
Hi Kira, are you possibly using a different kind of sugar (larger granules as with organic or raw sugars are not ideal). Also, are you using a good non-stick skillet and keeping with the same proportions listed? I hope that helps! π
Just made them. Used movado sugar. Did have to cook a bit longer but turned out nice. Using them on a pear gorgonzola salad, but serving them on the side so they don’t get lost and everyone gets their fair share!π
I’m glad you enjoy the recipe Helen! Thanks for sharing your review with other readers!