These Candied Walnuts are the perfect sweet and crunchy treat to enjoy on their own, sprinkle over salads, or give as gifts. Lightly coated in brown sugar and cinnamon, they bake up crispy and flavorful in only 30 minutes!
Try my Candied Maple Pecans next for another fun and nutty treat!
Kelley’s Tips
Before You Get Started
- Use Fresh Walnuts: Older walnuts can take on an unpleasant bitter taste. For the best flavor, make sure your walnuts are fresh.
- Use Parchment or a Silicone Mat: This keeps the walnuts from sticking to the pan and makes cleanup easy!
- Cool Completely: The walnuts continue to crisp up as they cool, so don’t worry if they are a bit soft when you take them out of the oven.
Ingredients
- Walnuts – I highly recommend using the freshest walnuts you can find for the best flavor!
- Egg White – Whisking the egg white until it’s frothy creates a light, sticky base that helps the sugar and spices stick to the nuts.
- Light Brown Sugar – Adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Salt – Balances out the sweetness and brings out the nutty flavor of the walnuts.
- Pepper – Just a tiny bit adds a bit of warmth to the walnuts! It won’t make them spicy!
- Cinnamon – Adds cozy flavor. You could also add in a pinch of nutmeg.
How to Make Candied Walnuts
- Make Sugar Coating: Preheat oven to 300°F. Whisk one egg white until frothy. Add in brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.
- Toss in Walnuts: Add in 2 cups of walnuts. Toss to coat thoroughly.
- Spread the Mixture evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- Bake Walnuts: Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely. (They will continue to crisp up as they cool)
Serving Suggestions
- Salads: Toss the candied walnuts on a green salad for a a bit of crunch. This is one of my favorite salads to pair them with: Berry Spinach Salad with Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette.
- Snacking: Keep a jar of candied walnuts on hand for snacking on. They’re perfect for a little sweet-and-savory pick-me-up in the afternoon!
- Cheese Boards: Add them to a charcuterie or cheese board. They are absolutely delicious paired with sharp cheeses like blue cheese, brie, or aged cheddar.
- Desserts: Sprinkle them over ice cream (try my Blueberry Cottage Cheese Ice Cream!), yogurt, or even this Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal for extra texture and flavor.
- Baking: Chop them up and fold them into Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies, Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread, or Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins for a yummy sweet crunch.
Gift Idea
Package the walnuts in a cute jar or cellophane bag, tied with a ribbon, for an easy homemade holiday gift!
More Gift-Worthy Recipes to Try
- Orange Chocolate Chip Biscotti
- 5-Ingredient Chocolate Peppermint Bark
- Dipping Oil
- Pumpkin Granola
- Easy Chocolate Fudge
- Homemade Cajun Seasoning
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Recipe
Candied Walnuts
These Candied Walnuts are the perfect sweet and crunchy treat to enjoy on their own, sprinkle over salads, or give as gifts. Lightly coated in brown sugar and cinnamon, they bake up crispy and flavorful in only 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F Whisk one egg white until frothy. Add in brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.
- Add in 2 cups of walnuts. Toss to coat thoroughly.
- Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely. (They will continue to crisp up as they cool)
Nutrition Information
Calories: 775kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 19gFat: 76gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 55gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 173mgPotassium: 544mgFiber: 8gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 26IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 3mg
Did You Make This?
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