Sweet, sticky, caramelized candied walnuts are tasty on their own or in dishes like salads, overnight oats, or yogurt parfaits. Make these walnuts today and try not to gobble them all up because they are *that* delicious!
Recipe updated 1/19/2020
Looking to make candied walnuts for your next banana bundt cake or spinach salad recipe? If so, you definitely want to make this recipe! It is perfect for those who love a quick and savory snack!
Naturally, walnuts have a bitter, dirt taste. They can even cause mild allergic reactions in some people where their mouth feels prickly and irritated (it happens to me).
These candied walnuts are the perfect topping for oatmeal bowls, parfaits, trail mix, on ice cream, or alone.
Making Candied Walnuts on the stovetop
The key to making candy coated walnuts on the stovetop is to be prepared. You must plan out this recipe despite it only taking 5 minutes since they can go from carmelized to burnt really quickly. With the right planning your walnuts will taste delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of halved, shelled walnuts. You want them to be larger pieces versus tiny little, chopped walnuts.
- 1 tablespoon of butter. You can use either salted or unsalted so they can have a sweet and savory flair.
- 1/4 cup of white sugar. You can use brown sugar, but for this recipe I used the white variety.
- 1 teaspoon of water
Equipment
- baking sheet
- large skillet
- parchment paper
- wooden spoon
- tongs
- teaspoon
Directions
Once you have all your ingredients and supplies set up, you are ready to begin this simple process.
Over medium-low heat, add your butter, sugar, and walnuts to a large skillet. Using a wooden spoon, constantly stir the walnuts. Stirring helps to incorporate the sugar and butter and prevents any burning.
After around 3 minutes, the sugar will start to become sticking and brown. This is essentially making the “candy”.
Once the sugar starts to brown, add the water immediately and stir until nuts start to stick to the spoon about 1 additional minute.
Transfer your golden brown, sticky walnuts to your parchment-lined baking sheet and spread them out as best as you can. The candy will begin to harden on the buts.
Once fully cooled, store the nuts in an airtight container.
Warning, these candied walnuts are super addicting, but oh, so good! The best part? They are so easy to make and you can be enjoying them soon!
Note: Whenever working with cooked sugar, there is a fine timing line between caramelizing and burning your precious walnuts!
More Recipes that Contain Walnuts
Apple & Brie Crescent Roll Bombs
or any of these other walnuts recipe in my recipe index.
Recipe
Follow the recipe below to make Candied Walnuts! This recipe makes 2 cups of sweet walnuts, but you can adjust the recipe card for other serving sizes.
5 Minute Candied Walnuts Recipe
Equipment
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- Wooden Spoon
- measuring cup
- large skillet
Ingredients
- 2 cups walnuts shelled variety
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons water
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and place it on your stove alongside a pair of easily accessible tongs.
- In a large, non-stick skillet, add your sugar, butter, and walnuts.
- Over medium-low heat stir constantly until your ingredients begin to melt.
- Around the 3-minute mark you'll start seeing the caramel thicken, become gooey, and brown, add in your water. Nuts will be deep golden brown, and sticky-
- Using tongs, transfer to the baking sheet and separate them from sticking together.
- Allow nuts to cool for 10 mins-store in an airtight container.
Amy Desrosiers says
Oh geez, you’re right–that is not right! I will fix it!
L. Sanders says
The directions about the baking sheet- … place it on your stove with a pair of tongs. Baking trays are kind of heavy, so placing them with a pair of tongs is very awkward. Wouldn’t it be easier to place it on the stove with your hands?
Just kidding, but pretty sure some knucklehead will try this if they follow the directions to a T.
Amy says
Hello Donna, I would stick to one cup at a time so they can evenly cook. Since you have to work quickly, you dont want to overwhelm yourself.
Donna McTague says
Hi, Amy. Just found this recipe and it looks amazing. Was wondering if you can make more than 1 cup of walnuts at a time or do you suggest keeping it to just one cup? Thank you.
Amy says
Hi Paula, Yes! You can use those too! Same method :)
Paula Brick says
Have you ever made them with pecans? These sound Yummy.
Amy says
Hi Donna, the serving size was set to 1 1/4 cups. It is now set to the correct amount. Thank you
Donna says
How do you get 360 mg of sodium with this recipe—using Unsalted butter — everything else is salt free — unless I am missing something
Amy says
That does sound amazing!! Yummy!
Donna says
Made these with a touch of kosher salt and a bit of cayenne pepper…delicious!!
Amy says
Sounds delicious!!
Denise Helms says
I had some maple sugar I wanted to use. So I used that along with the white sugR to lake the 1/4 cup (about 1/8 of each). So delicious!
Amy says
I have never tried, but I do not see why not! You can freeze anything for up to 3 months in the right kind of bag.
Debbie says
Can your candied walnuts be frozen?
Terry says
It should say AND quick to make.
Terry says
These are easy no quick to make and they are yummy! My hubby loves them.
Amy says
So glad you also enjoy them!
Leah says
These are really good and easy to make. I will be making them again.
Sergio Gonzalez says
Add a hint of cinnamon powder, too. For a twist
Linda Kinsman says
These look so tempting! I’m pinning to remember to make these later.