It's that time of year again: Christmas! And what better way to celebrate this joyful holiday season than by creating delicious snacks for your loved ones? This year, turn up the flavor with some crunchy, caramel-coated Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts. With hints of wintery spices to treat your taste buds and an easy recipe you can make at home in minutes, this delightful snack is sure to put a smile on everyone's face - even if it just means a delicious snack break from all the holiday hustle and bustle. So grab your ingredients and get ready to whip up a batch of these sweet treats that also work as holiday presents— they'll be gone before you know it!
Christmas is a doorstep away, and as it usually happens every year, we haven't done any Christmas shopping yet! Although we just moved to Spain a couple of months ago, we already have a lot of new friends, and we like spreading the love with food.
So we use our kitchen as a resource to make this delicious snack made with a handful of ingredients in just a couple of minutes. We like snacking on them with a nice cup of coffee, our beloved Argentinean mate, or on top of pumpkin overnight oats.
They also make the perfect individually wrapped candy Christmas gift! Who doesn't love candied nuts? Pure comfort food!
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🧾 Ingredients
You only need four ingredients at its simplest, but once you get it, you can easily play with the winter and Fall seasons' cozy spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, or pumpkin pie spice mix.
- Walnuts - use fresh raw walnuts. You can use other nuts such as almonds, pecans, cashew nuts, or a combination. If using salted walnuts, you can skip the salt.
- Vegan butter - we like Earth balance, or you can make your own vegan butter; this recipe from World Vegan is outstanding. You can also use melted coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil.
- Brown sugar - you can use white granulated sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup instead.
- Salt - use fine sea salt.
Optional
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Pumpkin pie spice mix
- Vanilla extract
See the recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Instructions
So, it doesn't get easier than this. To make this easy candied walnuts recipe, just measure all your ingredients and use your best non-stick skillet.
Heat a skillet on medium heat and then add brown sugar, kosher salt, vegan butter, and optional spices.
Stir frequently for 5 minutes, ensuring no clumps are formed.
Transfer the candied nuts to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and scatter all the nuts on a single layer.
Once the sugar mixture coating hardens, which will take about 5 minutes, you can transfer them to a bowl and enjoy!
Hint: leave the walnuts to cool completely and fully harden before you store them if you make candied walnuts as a present.
📖 Variations
- Cinnamon roasted walnuts - add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon for every cup of nuts. If you love cinnamon, you can add another ¼ teaspoon.
- Spiced candied walnuts - add pumpkin pie spice mix, nutmeg, cardamom, and cayenne pepper to spice it up.
- Maple candied walnuts - add maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
- Vanilla - add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract to add an extra holiday note.
You can also bake these candy walnuts in the oven using a prepared baking sheet or an air fryer; simply mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and bake. See detailed instructions on the recipe card.
🥢 How to serve
Consume this snack on top of your favorite overnight oats, cinnamon oatmeal, oats and chia pudding, or holiday salads where you can simply replace the walnuts for pecans; check out this vegan kale salad!
You can also add it to a sweet potato crunch casserole during your holidays.
🍽 Equipment
- Skillet - use a non-stick skillet or frying pan.
- Spatula - the only utensil you will need to manage the walnuts. We like using a silicon one.
- Parchment paper - to let the walnuts dry out completely. You can also use an oven-silicon baking mat.
🫙 Storage
This recipe doubles well. Ensure you dry out the nuts well; if the candy shell is gooey at all, the walnuts will probably turn soggy once you store them. Once cool, store candied nuts in a mason jar, perfectly closed.
💡 Top tip
Guess what? You can freeze candied walnuts! Once the nuts are completely cool, store them in a freezer bag. Squeeze out the air before sealing. Candied nuts will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.
❓ FAQ
You can store candied walnuts in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
If you plan to keep them for longer, you can store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Walnuts can go wrong, but they usually last longer if stored properly.
Walnuts are a high-fat food, and, as a result, they can go rancid if not stored properly. Rancid nuts will smell rank and taste sour. If you're unsure whether your walnuts have gone wrong, give them a sniff and a taste. If they smell or taste off, throw them away.
Storing walnuts in the fridge or freezer can help to extend their shelf life.
The walnuts must be completely dry and crisp before removing them from the skillet. Afterward, let them cool down on parchment paper or a wire rack before storing them. Moisture is the enemy of candied nuts!
🎄 More Christmas recipes
Try out these delicious Holiday recipes: Mediterranean Honey Roasted Vegetables, Perfect Holiday Nut roast, Vegan Vegetable Casserole, Green beans with toasted almonds, or Stuffed Onions with tofu and mushrooms.
⭐ If you try this Brown sugar and cinnamon roasted walnuts recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
📋 Recipe
Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts (10 Minutes + Vegan GF)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cup walnuts halves/pieces, or pecans
- 2 tablespoon vegan butter or coconut oil, olive oil
- ¼ cup brown sugar or maple syrup, or granulated white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Fine sea salt
Optional
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1or our pumpkin spice mix
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Heat a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, and add the walnuts, brown sugar, salt, optional spices, and vegan butter.
- Stir frequently so the walnuts and sugar don't burn (pay special attention at the last minute). When the sugar mixture starts melting, constantly stir until the brown sugar is completely melted and the walnuts are fully coated.
- Transfer immediately onto a sheet of parchment paper and immediately separate the nuts; otherwise, they will stick together.
- Once the coating hardens, which will take about 5 minutes, you can transfer them to a bowl and enjoy!
Air-fryer
- Melt the vegan butter and mix the nuts with the rest of the ingredients, and spread them separately on the baking rack. Bake at 350 ºF (176 ºC) for 13 minutes.
Oven-baked
- Melt the vegan butter, mix the nuts with the rest of the ingredients, and spread them on a prepared baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake at 350 ºF (176 ºC) for 12-15 minutes.
Video
Nutrition Facts
🌡️ Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Nutritional Disclaimer
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.
Dannii says
We always have candied pecans, but these walnuts were delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Gus says
Thank you, Danni; I am with you; we love candied pecans but were delighted to develop this recipe that is as good and cheaper! We are thrilled you enjoyed them as well!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
Love this idea. So easy and such a delicious treat over Christmas.
Kate says
These candied walnuts are so good. Perfect for our guests coming for the holidays.
kushigalu says
Easy and delicious recipe fo Christmas. Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie says
My dad was severely allergic to all tree nuts, so we simply did not have any of them in the house growing up. I never even had a PBJ until I was in my late teens. Now that I'm older with my own home, I'm loving trying all the nut recipes. This one was good!
Gus says
Oh! I feel you, Stephanie, I am glad you are trying new nut recipes! Thanks for your review!
Anjali says
What a fun way to prepare walnuts!! These turned out perfectly sweet and crunchy - a great holiday treat!
Aimee Mars says
I have a work party next week and will be taking these for my coworkers. I can't wait to share the delicious recipe with them.
Gus says
Hi Aimee, I am sure they will love them. It is such an easy-to-make and festive Christmas treat!
Andrea says
such an awesome and tasty festive snack for the holidays! love how crunchy and sweet they are!
Gus says
I am glad you liked 'em, Andrea! Happy holidays!
Tayler says
I made these walnuts last night and they are amazing! They made the house smell great too!
Gus says
I am glad you liked them, Tayler! And yes to free Christmas-scented food! 🙂
Andrea says
These candied walnuts were fabulous! I am putting them on ice cream, pancakes, and morning oatmeal. Yum!
Gus says
That sounds delicious, Andrea! I am glad you are loving them as much as we do!
kushigalu says
One of the best recipes for Christmas. These candied walnuts look fantastic.