With the combined flavors of cinnamon, butter, sugar, and walnuts, these quick candied walnuts (aka praline walnuts) are perfect for the holidays as both a party snack and a holiday gift. And of course, you can enjoy them year-round. , preparing cinnamon-glazed walnuts is so easy you’ll be tossing them into salads, oatmeal, ice cream, yogurt bowls, and more! Along with the basic cinnamon walnuts recipe, I’ve included several other flavor variations for this sweet treat. Plus, I’ve added methods for stove-top and oven-roasted versions. Both are 100% egg white-free and optionally refined sugar-free. They are sure to make your entire house smell heavenly! You might also enjoy my sweet and spicy candied pecans with cayenne pepper or these candied grapes.
Are Glazed Walnuts Good For You?
Sugar and butter aside, walnuts contain many health benefits and are an excellent addition to your diet. In fact:
Walnuts contain higher amounts of antioxidants than other nuts, prevent oxidative damage, and fight harmful free radicals. Contain significantly higher amounts of omega-3 fats than other nuts, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. Have anti-inflammatory properties to reduce the risk of several chronic diseases, like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, etc. Increase butyrate bacteria, which nourishes and promotes gut health. They may even lower blood pressure levels.
All the above combined means these caramelized walnuts are a great snack to have on hand! But do consume them in moderation.
Candied Walnuts Ingredients
This candied nuts recipe relies on just 5 ingredients for a sweet and salty flavor combination, perfect for enjoying all year.
Walnuts: Use raw or roasted, unsalted, whole walnut halves. However, for this recipe, you can use most nuts – cashews, hazelnuts, pecans (or mixed nuts), and even seeds like pumpkin seeds. Butter: I use unsalted butter, so I can control the sodium levels myself when I candy walnuts. Sugar: You could use one of many types of sugar to caramelize walnuts. I.e caster sugar, coconut sugar, raw cane sugar, white granulated sugar, light brown sugar, etc.
The sugar should be a fine consistency for this sweet toasted walnuts recipe. If you’re using granulated sugar, grind it in a blender or coffee/spice grinder into a finer/powdery consistency.
Cinnamon: I love using cinnamon for these basic sweetened walnuts, as it perfectly complements the nuts. Salt: (Optional) To balance and enhance the flavors in the cinnamon sugar walnuts. Reduce the amount (or omit it entirely) if you use salted butter.
How To Make Candied Walnuts
How to make sweet walnuts in just minutes on the stovetop, following 4 simple steps! First, add the sugar, butter, cinnamon, and salt to a large non-stick skillet. Heat over medium heat, constantly stirring, until the sugar melts. About 2 minutes. Then, add the walnuts and continue to stir for 3-4 minutes. Make sure to coat them well with the sugar mixture. Transfer the caramelized walnuts to a parchment-lined baking tray and quickly separate them into a single layer, not touching. Finally, set them aside to cool for at least 10 minutes or until they’ve cooled completely and hardened.
Tips to Avoid Sticky Candied Walnuts
Once you transfer the cinnamon walnuts from the hot pan, you have about 30 seconds to spread and separate them before they solidify. Use 2 spatulas or forks to speed up the process.
Can We Candy Walnuts in the Oven
For a more hands-off approach, you can learn how to candy walnuts in the oven. If you plan to follow this method, use raw walnuts, as they’ll toast in the oven. Optionally, sprinkle some more cinnamon sugar blend over the nuts right out of the oven for extra crunchy sugar-coated walnuts.
How Can We Use Candied Walnuts
If you don’t inhale the entire batch as soon as they’re cooled, then there are actually plenty of ways to enjoy this candied walnuts recipe.
As a baked goods topper: You can use the glazed walnuts to decorate all sorts of baked goodies. Carrot cake, banana bread, brownies, etc. Over ice cream: Like gingerbread, caramel, etc. With a yogurt bowl: or with a yogurt parfait. With oats: Sprinkles over oatmeal or overnight oats. Over salads: I particularly enjoy the candied walnuts for salad recipes with flavors like kale, apple, pear, Brussels sprouts, etc. Over sweet potatoes: Including mashed sweet potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, or a sweet potato casserole. Sprinkled over roasted veg.
You can also serve them as part of a party snack spread, charcuterie board, cheese board, or grazing platter. To gift them, pop them in a mason jar with a cute label and ribbon. If using glazed walnuts as a topping, add them just before serving. Otherwise, the coating can soften, and they become sticky.
How to Store Candied Walnuts
Store the cooled, hardened candied walnuts in an airtight container.
How Long Do Candied Walnuts Last
Keep them for 7-10 days on the counter or 2-3 weeks in the fridge.
More Walnut Recipes
Homemade Walnut Milk Easy Walnut Butter Roasted Red Pepper Dip with Walnuts No-Bake Brownies with Walnuts
If you try this glazed walnuts recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
