These caramelized, candied walnuts are quite a treat. Toss them into your salad, over popcorn, or straight into your mouth. Crunch. Crunch.

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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.

5 minute Candied Walnuts-4

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.

5 minute Candied Walnuts-5 5 minute Candied Walnuts-6

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.

5 minute Candied Walnuts-75 minute Candied Walnuts-8

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.

These caramelized, candied walnuts are quite a treat. Toss them into your salad, over popcorn, or straight into your mouth. Crunch. Crunch. These caramelized, candied walnuts are quite a treat. Toss them into your salad, over popcorn, or straight into your mouth. Crunch. Crunch.

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

4.88 from 666 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
These caramelized, candied walnuts are quite a treat. Toss them into your salad, over popcorn, or straight into your mouth. Crunch. Crunch.
Toss these caramelized walnuts 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. P.S. This recipe can easily be doubled.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 1 cup
  • 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!
Course: Appetizer, snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Candied Walnuts
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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P.S. If you haven’t allready, make sure to try ourΒ honey roasted almonds. They are also amazing

4.88 from 666 votes (361 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Jon
    December 17, 2017

    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.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 18, 2017

      You’re welcome Jon! I’m happy to hear how much you enjoy the recipe. Thanks for sharing your great review and Merry Christmas!

      Reply

  • crystal
    December 14, 2017

    Best recipe and easy. Taste great. LOVE IT.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 14, 2017

      I’m happy to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review Crystal!

      Reply

  • Catherine
    December 13, 2017

    I’m 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!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 13, 2017

      I’m glad you love the recipe Catherine! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers!

      Reply

  • Susan
    December 12, 2017

    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. πŸ™

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 12, 2017

      Hi Susan, did you possibly change anything in the proportions – like adding more butter? They should firm up once they reach room temperature.

      Reply

  • Nana
    December 12, 2017

    Would maple syrup work as a substitute for sugar? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 12, 2017

      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.

      Reply

  • Donny
    December 9, 2017

    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!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 9, 2017

      You’re welcome Donny! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe. Thanks for sharing your great review!

      Reply

  • Any
    December 7, 2017

    I’ve done them with sunflower seeds and salted butter…. insane

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 7, 2017

      Great suggestion!

      Reply

  • Lisa
    November 30, 2017

    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.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 30, 2017

      Yummy! That does sound good! Thanks for sharing your tip with other readers Lisa!

      Reply

  • Joanie Moore
    November 30, 2017

    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??

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 30, 2017

      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.

      Reply

  • Susan
    November 30, 2017

    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

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 30, 2017

      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 πŸ™‚

      Reply

  • Lisa
    November 23, 2017

    I these on top of pumpkin and banana breads. Amazing!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 23, 2017

      I’m so glad you love the recipe!! πŸ™‚

      Reply

  • Dee
    November 22, 2017

    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!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 22, 2017

      Dee, thank you for taking the time to write such a nice review. I’m so happy to hear that πŸ˜€. Have a great Thanksgiving!

      Reply

  • Marie Brasseit
    November 22, 2017

    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!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 23, 2017

      I’m happy to hear that Marie! Thanks for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving! 😊

      Reply

  • Michelle Cramer
    November 21, 2017

    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

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 21, 2017

      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 πŸ™‚

      Reply

  • Ruth
    November 18, 2017

    So easy and delicious!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 20, 2017

      I’m glad you love the recipe Ruth! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  • Patty
    November 13, 2017

    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.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 13, 2017

      You’re welcome Patty! I’m glad to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your excellent review with other readers!

      Reply

  • Martha
    November 12, 2017

    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.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 13, 2017

      You’re welcome Martha! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers! πŸ™‚

      Reply

  • Melissa Novotny
    November 7, 2017

    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.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 7, 2017

      My pleasure Melissa! I’m happy to hear you love the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers!

      Reply

  • Kira Holley
    October 31, 2017

    I love the flavor but mine keep ending up with gummy sugar bits. It’s like the sugar doesn’t melt but I’m afraid if I cook it too long it’ll burn. Any suggestions?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 1, 2017

      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! πŸ™‚

      Reply

  • Helen Stewart
    October 30, 2017

    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!🌝

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 30, 2017

      I’m glad you enjoy the recipe Helen! Thanks for sharing your review with other readers!

      Reply

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