Candied Walnuts to Spruce Up Salad, Oatmeal, and Beyond!

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My mom has been making these candied walnuts (or “sugared walnuts”) for years. Whenever she has a dinner party she tosses them on salad (they’re perfect on a fresh salad with sliced pear, figs, dried cranberries, and a tangy vinaigrette). And every single time mom serves this salad at least one person comments about how amazing the walnuts are.

So…

Last Thanksgiving I gave candied walnuts a try. I failed, miserably. I put them in the toaster and it was one big mess of burned sugar and wasted walnuts (which I had to throw away—and they’re not cheap!) So I vowed to bring my mom over to teach me how to make her famous candied walnuts. As it turns out, it’s ridiculously easy.

It’s a delicate art, as sugar can burn so quickly, but it’s just two ingredients tossed in a pan, and voila! You’ve got sweet, crunchy, protein-packed gold that will spice up any fall dish. If walnuts aren’t your nut of choice, how about these candied pecans instead? Enjoy! 

I love putting these candied walnuts on top of sweet potato dishes like our delicious fall-themed Stuffed Sweet Potato (pictured below). 

More Wonderful Walnut Recipes

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Candied Walnuts

Author: Joan Cehn
5 from 8 votes
These delicious candied walnuts are perfect atop a fall salad, sweet potato dishes, oatmeal, and beyond. Plus, they’re a delicious snack to nibble on their own!
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 -2

Ingredients

  • ½ cup raw walnuts
  • cup sugar

Instructions

  • In a cast iron pan over medium heat, add walnuts and sugar. Stir consistently until sugar begins to clump together.
  • As soon as the sugar begins to melt and form a liquid, turn off heat and immediately transfer sugar crusted walnuts to a dish and allow to cool. Sugar burns very easily so keep a close watch. Walnuts should be caked with sugar, but there will also be little clumps of sugar separate from the walnuts—that’s ok!

Notes

  • There is a very fine line between perfectly sugar-coated and burned—if in doubt, take it off the flame sooner rather than later!

Nutrition

Calories: 479kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 28g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 258mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2mg
Course — Side, Snack
Cuisine — American
Love this Recipe? Leave a Rating!And follow @Vegan on Instagram for more.

Candied Walnuts photos taken by Michelle Cehn. Recipe and photographs copyright of World of Vegan™, all rights reserved.

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5 from 8 votes

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Recipe Rating




8 comments
  1. 5 stars
    The most amazing snack ever!

  2. 5 stars
    This is the best kind of snack and topping! I love it!!

  3. Beatriz Buono-Core says:

    5 stars
    I adore these candied walnuts! They take any simple salad to the next level 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    YUMMY! I love any kind of nuts, but walnuts are my favorite. Now that I’ve tried candied walnuts, I’m totally spoiled and not sure I can go back -lol. Amazing recipe!

  5. 5 stars
    Yes these are awesome! They dress up a salad and make it really extraordinary. They are like “little jewels” on top of the salad. Just have to be careful not to burn them!

  6. 5 stars
    These candied nuts always remind me of my mom, I love making them!! Especially around the holidays 🙂 They’re also great with pecans.

  7. 5 stars
    These candied nuts are such a simple treat! I like adding a little cinnamon, too!

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