Spicy Candied Walnuts are the perfect combination of saltiness, sweetness, and just the right amount of heat. These are the perfect snack to have on hand for the Holidays.
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Crunchy snacks like these walnuts and my Crunchy Caramel Snack Mix are so satisfying. So much flavor and a variety of textures in each handful make both of these super easy recipes simply irresistible.
Why This Recipe Works
During the holiday season, I suggest making a double batch or even triple batch of this great snack so you can give these spiced walnuts to friends and family. Add some walnuts to a mason jar and tie a ribbon around the jars and you have some great gifts ready to go.
Not only are these nuts great for gifts, but these crunchy nuts are a wonderful party appetizer. Everyone will love how their taste buds hop from sweet, to salty, to spicy with every bite.
Let's Gather the Ingredients
- Walnuts: Pecans can be used if you prefer.
- Brown sugar: light or dark brown sugar can be used
- Cinnamon
- Cayenne Pepper: Add more or less to adjust your preference.
- Salt: sea salt or kosher salt
- Egg white
- Vanilla extract
How to make Spicy Candied Walnuts
- Step 1: Add walnuts, egg white and vanilla to a large bowl. Use a rubber spatula to mix and coat the walnuts well.
- Step 2: Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a separate bowl. Mix.
- Step 3: Transfer the sugar mixture to the bowl with the walnuts. Then use a spatula to mix and coat the walnuts.
- Step 4: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out the candy-coated walnuts on the baking tray in a single layer. Bake, stir the nuts around the tray, and finish baking.
Recipe Tips
- If you don't have walnuts, you can make this candied walnut recipe using pecans or almonds instead.
- Serve these candied, golden brown nuts with fresh fruit, like apple slices and grapes. Or on your favorite charcuterie boards with slices of sliced meats and cheeses.
- Keep a close eye on the nuts in the oven, they can go from perfectly good and delicious candied spicy walnuts to burnt nuts in a matter of just a few minutes.
- When you pull these nuts out of the oven, they may appear a bit softer or less crunchy than you would expect. Avoid the temptation to pop the nuts back in the oven since they'll get a bit more crispy and crunchy as they cool on the pan. If you put the tray back in the oven, you risk burning them.
- These spiced candy nuts would be incredible on a salad. I would suggest trying a handful or two of these spicy walnuts on your fruit and walnut salads, on top of a fresh made Grilled Chicken Avocado Caesar Salad, a Grilled Shrimp Cobb Salad.
- Buy Walnuts when they are on sale and keep them in the freezer for freshness.
Recipe Faq's
Once these nuts have cooled down to room temperature, you can store them in an airtight container, like a mason jar, for up to a month. I'd suggest keeping them in a cool, dry, and dark place for best long term storage conditions.
It's best to use raw walnuts. Using raw walnuts allows them to fully absorb the flavors of the caramelized sugar and spices as they bake. Pre-roasted walnuts could potentially become too dry or overcooked during the candying process. Starting with raw walnuts ensures they toast perfectly as the sugar coating hardens, giving you that crunchy texture you desire.
If all you have are pre-roasted walnuts, you can still use them, but you may want to reduce the cooking time slightly to prevent burning or over-roasting.
It's crucial to spread the nuts out properly on the baking tray while they are cooling to ensure each one has a perfect sugar-spice coating and won't all be stuck together in a mall.
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Spicy Candied Walnuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups walnuts
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or more if you like heat
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or kosher
- 1 egg white
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl add the brown sugar, cinnamon, cayenne, and sea salt mix until combined.
- In a medium bowl toss the walnuts with the egg white and vanilla until coated.
- Add the sugar mixture to the walnuts and toss until coated.
- Spread the walnuts into a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Place in the middle oven rack and bake for 20 minutes, stir and bake for another 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let the walnuts cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Notes
- If you don't have walnuts, you can make this candied walnut recipe using pecans or almonds instead.
So happy you enjoyed them 🙂
These are perfection - stay crispy too!
Yay Julie 🙂
Just made them, they came out amazing. Will made it again