Perfect Candied Nuts (2024)

Want to learn how to make perfect candied nuts? These tricks and tips will get them clear, glossy and crunchy. These really are the best candied nuts out there!

You can snack on these tasty nuts on their own, or you can incorporate them into other recipes, such as on top of these Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes, or mixed into this Apple Harvest Salad!

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Tried & True Candied Nuts

Today I’m sharing a recipe requested by a reader just like you! They asked me to come up with a candied nut recipe that was crunchy and clear, not cloudy and clumpy.

I have to admit, it took me several tries to get this recipe right. The first few batches came out either too gooey, raw, or cloudy. We of course gobbled up the rejects, but I was determined to make something work. Surely it was possible to make shiny, glossy candied nuts without using egg whites.

These candied nuts pictured above that it was possible!

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Best Nuts for Candied Nuts?

What kind of nuts can you use for candied nuts? Here are our favorites…

  • Pecans
  • Walnuts
  • Almonds
  • Cashews
  • Peanuts

Just make sure that they are RAW, UNSALTED, and WHOLE.

We decided to make candied pecans this time, but I think we’ll try almonds next, or even a combination of different types of nuts!

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How to Make Candied Nuts

COATING. To start, you’ll want to mix together the coating. It consists of butter, sugar, corn syrup, salt, spices, and vanilla. Pretty simple.

NUTS. Add nuts (all of the same kind or a variety) and toss to coat.

BAKE. Pour onto a lined rimmed baking sheet and bake at 325°F for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.

COOL. Transfer to a piece of parchment or wax paper, separate, and let cool.

What if my coating is still soft/sticky after baking? If you take your nuts out of the oven and the coating is still soft/sticky, pop the tray back in the oven until the nuts are more “crispy”.

On the Stovetop

Instead of baking it and letting the nuts get crispy, you can turn them in a pan on the stove until the nuts reach that same crispy level. Then let the nuts sit on a piece of parchment paper to finish hardening up.

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This is what it looks like if you use maple syrup instead of corn syrup. You can tell it’s a little more cloudy instead of glossy, but they still taste great!

Ingredient Tips

Spice: You can use whatever you like. I prefer using cinnamon, apple pie spice, or pumpkin pie spice. You make your own spice mix using your favorite spices (I’ve tried a cinnamon cayenne version and it was so good)!

Syrup: Corn syrup is essential to this recipe. I tried swapping it out for maple syrup and it wasn’t quite the same (see picture above). However, if you’re really trying to stick with more natural ingredients, it is doable (but not as pretty).

Nuts: I like a thinner coating, so I add an extra ¼ cup of nuts than what the recipe calls for.

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Storing Candied Nuts

Let the candied nuts cool for at least 20 minutes or until completely cool. You don’t want to package warm nuts or the moisture will cause condensation which will soften the candy coating.

STORE the nuts in an airtight container or ziploc bag for up to 2 weeks.

Can you freeze them? After letting the nuts cool completely you can place them in an airtight bag and store in the freezer for 2 months. Let them thaw and come to room temperature before trying to eat it, or else you might break a tooth!

How to use candied nuts:

  • Salads
  • Ice cream sundaes
  • On top of cakes
  • Cheeseballs
  • On cheeseboards
  • As gifts during the holidays

These candied nuts are so easy to make, they’re bound to become a staple!

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LOOKING FOR MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES USING PECANS? TRY THESE:

  • Cranberry Apple Pecan Kale Salad
  • Maple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
  • Foolproof Cinnamon Raisin Pecan Bread
  • Browned Butter Pecan Chippers
  • Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

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Candied Nuts Recipe

Want to learn how to make perfect candied nuts? These tricks and tips will get them clear, glossy and crunchy. These really are the best candied nuts out there!

5 from 10 votes

Pin Rate Save

Course: Candy & Snacks

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Servings: 3 cups

Calories: 786kcal

Author: Andrea

Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup corn syrup*
  • 1/2-3/4 tsp cinnamon - apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cup raw whole pecans - walnuts, cashews, almonds, or a mix

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a standard size baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

  • In a medium microwave-safe mixing bowl, melt butter. Add the sugar, corn syrup, spice, salt, and vanilla. Whisk together until smooth. Add the nuts and toss to coat.

  • Pour nuts onto prepared baking sheet. Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.

  • Remove from the oven and transfer to a large piece of parchment or wax paper. Use a spoon or small tongs to separate the nuts to prevent clusters from forming. Let dry for 20 minutes or until completely hardened. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

NOTES

*You can use 3 tbsp. of maple syrup instead, however they will NOT be as clear or smooth as they would if using corn syrup. These should be used as salad toppers or snacks, not for gift giving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 786kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 407mg | Potassium: 338mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 283IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg

Perfect Candied Nuts (2024)

FAQs

Why are my candied almonds not crunchy? ›

Usually if the almonds are soft after candying it means that they weren't cooked for long enough.

How to make candied nuts not sticky? ›

Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt makes these taste salty-sweet. If you'd prefer to not taste the salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325°F (162°C) and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

Why are my candied pecans soggy? ›

Why are my candied pecans soft and sticky? If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

Stir them every 10 minutes or so to avoid them clumping together, or you can just break them apart with a spatula or your hands later. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Why are my candied almonds chewy? ›

If your sugared almonds are sticky rather than crunchy on the outside, it's likely because you didn't bake them for long enough. Next time, bake the almonds for an additional 5 minutes. Just don't be tempted to increase the oven temperature as that could result in burnt almonds!

How do you crisp up nuts? ›

How it works: Arrange the nuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and place in a moderate oven (about 325 degrees with convection or 350 degrees without), stirring halfway through, until fragrant and toasted inside and out. Then immediately transfer the nuts to a plate or bowl.

Why are my candied walnuts grainy? ›

If your candied walnuts are grainy, you may not have allowed the sugar to dissolve completely before removing them from the heat. Avoid this mistake by slowly melting the butter over low heat. Stir the brown sugar mixture over low heat constantly for 3-5 minutes. Add up to 2 Tablespoons of water to make a thick syrup.

How do you harden soft nuts? ›

Instructions
  1. Soak the nuts or seeds in a large bowl with enough water to cover by 3 inches or so.
  2. After about 8 hours, drain them off and rinse them well.
  3. Transfer to a mesh dehydrator tray and dry at 45c-60c until crisp, about 10 hours or until crisp when cool.
Feb 23, 2022

What is the best way to store candied nuts? ›

Storage Instructions: Candied nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for several weeks. Freezing Instructions: They freeze well in an air-tight container for up to two months.

Do candied pecans go bad? ›

If you don't plan on eating your candied pecans right away, you may want to consider storing them in the refrigerator or freezer. Refrigeration can keep the pecans fresh for up to three months, while freezing can extend their shelf life for up to six months.

Should pecans be soft or crunchy? ›

Differentiating Between Good and Bad Pecans

They should have a firm, almost crunchy texture and a rich golden or amber color. On the flip side, bad pecans may show signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell, a shriveled appearance, or a soft and rubbery texture.

Why are my pecans sticky? ›

The real culprits behind the honeydew are aphids. Aphids are soft-bodied insects that suck sap from plant leaves. Many species of aphids exist and attack various plants, but two types of aphids attack pecan trees and secrete honeydew, the yellow pecan aphid and the black-margined aphid.

Why do you boil pecans before cracking? ›

The first step is to place them in a pot and cover them with water. Boil for about 10 minutes, drain them in a colander, and let them cool enough to handle. Boiling them first will soften the shell, making them easier to crack. The moisture will also reduce the mess by preventing so many tiny shell fragments.

Why do you soak pecans before roasting? ›

Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

Why are my almonds soft? ›

When soaked, they become softer, less bitter, and more buttery-tasting, which may be more appealing to some individuals. Soaked almonds have a softer, less bitter flavor than raw ones. They may be easier to digest, which can increase your absorption of some nutrients.

How to make soft nuts crunchy? ›

Here Is the Nourishing Traditions Method for Crispy Nuts:

Soak 4 cups raw nuts in sea salt and filtered water to cover in a warm place at least 7 hours. Drain and spread in a single layer (I found that part out by experience) on pans and dry in an oven on its lowest temp for 12-24 hours.

How do you fix soggy almonds? ›

Keep them in a single layer and dry them at 115 degrees (F) until they are thoroughly dry and crisp. Make sure they are completely dry. If not, they could mold, plus they won't have that crunchy, yummy texture you expect from nuts and seeds.

How do you make almonds soft to chew? ›

Place your desired amount of raw almonds into a bowl. Fill the bowl with enough water to completely cover the almonds, then let them sit overnight (or for at least 8 to 12 hours). This amount of time is necessary to allow the almond to become soft. After soaking is complete, drain the almonds and pat dry with a towel.

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