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    Home » Recipes » Christmas

    Caramel Walnuts

    Published: Nov 21, 2023 · Modified: Oct 22, 2024 by Maria Doss · This post may contain affiliate links · 63 Comments

    pinterest image.

    This Caramel Walnuts is ready in 5 minutes using 3 ingredients! They are chewy, crisp, salty, not overly sweet and highly addictive - Ideal for snacking, garnishing desserts, topping salads, or as homemade food gifts that are sure to impress.

    Jump to Recipe
    candied walnuts piled high in a grey metal basket.

    Like the healthy avocado chocolate mousse, this caramel walnuts recipe is one of the fastest and easiest Holiday recipes you'll make!

    Add everything to a pan, cook for 5 minutes and you have the most addictive treat with the irresistible sweet and salty combo.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this?
    • Ingredients
    • Seasoning variations
    • How to make?
    • Common mistakes to avoid to prevent stickiness
    • Serving ideas
    • How to store?
    • Helpful tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Holiday recipes
    • Caramel Walnuts
    •  

    Why you'll love this?

    • Crispy, crunchy, sweet, salty and so good!
    • Not too sweet like store bought caramel walnuts.
    • Cooks in 5 minutes.
    • Only 3 ingredients.

    What are readers say?

    Paula writes "Just made three batches for Christmas gifts. Outrageously simple to make, but they taste so good everyone will think I slaved in the kitchen with a candy thermometer. Thank you, Maria, for what is sure to become a holiday tradition for me!"

    Heather writes "Quickest recipe I’ve ever tried. Tasty ! Making them for my bosses birthday, she likes walnuts."

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.

    ingredients needed for the recipe placed in a black skillet.
    • Walnuts - Use raw walnuts when making caramel walnuts.
    • Brown sugar - The molasses in brown sugar infuse the walnuts with a deep caramel taste that complements their inherent nuttiness.
    • Butter - Use unsalted butter to have better control over the salt. If using salted butter, be sure to reduce the additional salt accordingly.

    Seasoning variations

    • Cinnamon - Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon during the last minute of cooking.
    • Pumpkin pie spice - Similar to cinnamon, add ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice during the last minute of cooking.
    • Cocoa powder - Once you transfer the caramel walnuts onto the parchment sheet, sprinkle them with cocoa powder and salt.
    • Maple syrup - Although I prefer using brown sugar with this stovetop caramel walnuts, maple syrup can be swapped for a healthier option.
    • Vanilla extract - Add a dash of vanilla extract before removing from heat.
    • Cayenne pepper - Sprinkle a pinch or two of ground cayenne pepper or chili powder when cooking.
    • Rosemary and sea salt - Add finely minced rosemary leaves towards the end of the cooking process, like in cranberry orange sauce. If using dried rosemary, add it along with all the other ingredients at the start of cooking.
    • Coconut - Toss the caramel walnuts in sweetened shredded coconut for a tropical flair.
    • Coffee- Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of instant coffee for a rich and slightly bitter undertone.
    • Alcohol - Add a teaspoon or two of whiskey towards the end of cooking, but exercise caution when adding alcohol into a hot pan as it may cause flare-ups.

    How to make?

    You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.

    walnuts, butter, brown sugar and water placed in a black skillet.

    1.Add walnuts, brown sugar, water, butter and salt in a medium non-stick skillet.

    caramel walnuts cooking in a black skillet.

    2. Place skillet over high heat and cook, stirring occasionally for 4 minutes.

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    caramel walnuts cooking in a black skillet.

    3. Stir continuously at the last minute and cook over medium heat until all the moisture evaporates, causing the walnuts to darken, become glossier, and begin to clump together.

    Tip: It is important to make sure that all the liquid is evaporated before removing from heat. Otherwise, any remaining moisture might cause the walnuts to become sticky and compromise their intended crunchiness.

    Transfer the nuts onto a parchment-lined sheet or plate, ensuring to scrape off any remaining caramel from the pan. Arrange the nuts in a single layer and evenly sprinkle sea salt on top. Allow them to cool to room temperature and then break them apart using your fingers.

    Tip: Spreading them out, promotes air circulation around each nut, facilitating the cooling process and preventing them from sticking together.

    grey metal baking sheet with caramel walnuts.

    Common mistakes to avoid to prevent stickiness

    1. Line your plate or sheet pan with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
    2. Ensure all moisture evaporates and no liquid remains.
    3. Spread the nuts in a single layer to cool. Avoid overcrowding, as it can trap moisture and lead to the walnuts sticking together.

    Serving ideas

    These caramel walnuts make an addictive sweet, and crunchy snack. They are versatile and can be enjoyed in numerous ways, like in honey walnut shrimp noodles, or in:

    • Salads: Sprinkle them over salads for added crunch and sweetness. They pair well with mixed greens, spinach, or even fruit salads.
    • Desserts: Use candied nuts for ice cream or yogurt.
    • Cheese Boards: They complement different types of cheeses and fruits.
    • Crostini - Chop the caramel walnuts and top on crostinis, like in goat cheese crostini.
    • Trail Mix: Toss them into homemade trail mix along with dried fruits, seeds and other nuts.
    • Gifts: Package them decorative bags or small mason jars to give as homemade food gifts during holidays. Looking for more homemade gift ideas?
    • Popcorn - Toss along with freshly popped popcorn, along with M&Ms, roasted and salted peanuts.

    How to store?

    1. Room Temperature: Store them in an air tight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture, for 1 to 2weeks.
    2. Fridge: Although they can be refrigerated for up ton a month, for longer storage, the nuts may get a little sticky or tacky. To restore their crunchiness, spread them on a lined baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 250°F for a few minutes. This will help re-crisp the walnuts.
    3. Freezer: Storing candied walnuts in the freezer maintains their quality for several months. Enjoy them as a frozen snack straight from the freezer, or allow them to thaw at room temperature for approximately an hour before using.

    Helpful tips

    • Non-stick skillet is best for this recipe.
    • Cook on high heat for the first 4 minutes. This rapid cooking process allows quick moisture evaporation, resulting in faster cooking. Additionally, it prevents the nuts from absorbing any moisture, allowing them to develop a delightful crunch.
    • Cook until no moisture remains.
    • Spoon any remaining caramel in the pan on top of the nuts.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is it possible to make candied walnuts without using refined sugar?

    Yes, you can substitute maple syrup or honey for brown sugar. However, note that this change may alter the taste profile, and the cooking time may vary due to differences in syrup viscosity.

    Can I double the recipe?

    You can double this batch if necessary, but I suggest using a larger skillet for quicker cooking. However, if you need to make a larger quantity, it's better to prepare separate batches instead of attempting to make them all at once.

    What is the best way to prevent them from becoming sticky or clumping together?

    1. Use a parchment paper or a silicone mat. This prevents them from sticking together while they cool.
    2. Cook until no liquid remains.
    3. Allow them to cool completely at room temperature before storing or breaking them apart.
    4. Make sure they are spread out and not piled on top of each other, when cooling. This allows air to circulate around each nut and prevents them from sticking.

    candied walnuts piled high in a grey metal basket.

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    candied walnuts piled high in a grey metal basket.

    Caramel Walnuts

    This Caramel Walnuts is ready in 5 minutes using 3 ingredients! They are chewy, crisp, salty, not overly sweet and highly addictive - Ideal for snacking, garnishing desserts, topping salads, or as homemade food gifts that are sure to impress.
    3.8 from 245 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 1 minute minute
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 6 minutes minutes
    Servings: 3 Servings
    Calories: 180kcal
    Author: Maria Doss

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup walnuts
    • ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon golden brown sugar, both packed (do not use dark brown)
    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt plus more for topping
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Place a piece of parchment or silicone mat on a large plate or any sheet pan. Set aside.
    • Add all ingredients in a medium non-stick skillet.
    • Place skillet over high heat and cook, stirring occasionally for 4 minutes.
    • Reduce heat to medium, stir continuously for an addional one minute and cook until all the moisture evaporates. The walnuts will darken, become glossier, and begin to clump together.
      Tip: It is important to make sure that all the liquid is evaporated before removing from heat. Otherwise, any remaining moisture might cause the walnuts to become sticky and compromise their intended crunchiness.
    • Transfer the nuts onto the prepared plate, ensuring to scrape off any remaining caramel from the pan. Spread the nuts in a single layer and evenly sprinkle more sea salt on top. Allow them to cool to room temperature and then break them apart using your fingers.

    Notes

    Non-stick skillet is best for this recipe.
    Cook until no moisture remains.
    Spoon any remaining caramel in the pan on top of the nuts.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 3 Serving | Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.

    Did you make this recipe?Mention @KitchenAtHoskins or tag #kitchenathoskins!

    Did you make this recipe? I’d love your feedback! Please let me know by leaving a comment, a star rating or review below.

    All contents and images are my original work, unless and otherwise mentioned. Please do not use my recipes or images without linking back to www.kitchenathoskins.com. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite in your own words and don’t forget to include a link back to the original recipe.

    Some of the links above are affiliate links, which pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for supporting kitchenathoskins.com.

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angela

      November 14, 2022 at 4:42 am

      5 stars
      Such a simple recipe, and I had to triple the recipe because it is so addicting! I’ll definitely be making these often. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        November 14, 2022 at 7:29 am

        Glad you liked it hun, have a wonderful week - Maria

        Reply
    2. Patti

      November 26, 2022 at 5:11 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you, Maria. These are the easiest ones I have made. Made them 3 times in the last week and have plans for making some as gifts. Deliciously addictive.

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        November 28, 2022 at 6:26 am

        Glad you loved them - Maria

        Reply
    3. Donna

      November 27, 2022 at 2:22 am

      My first time trying your recipe!! Im sure that it is great as is but I wanted some heat on mine!! I added 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper and to the 1/4 cup of water added 1 tablespoon of hot sauce (Texas Pete). They turned out perfect!! Thank you

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        November 28, 2022 at 6:24 am

        Love the twist, a bit of heat is always a good idea. Have a great day - Maria

        Reply
    4. Candy wayman

      December 23, 2022 at 8:38 am

      5 stars
      This is my third year of making these as gifts for my peeps and they are loved and requested again and again throughout the year. I use spices (cinnamon,nutmeg,ginger and cloves ) but otherwise follow the recipe and it never ever fails!!! Thank you , thank you from the bottom of all of our hearts💕

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        January 06, 2023 at 1:37 am

        Happy to hear hun - Maria

        Reply
    5. Brenda

      May 07, 2023 at 9:53 pm

      After making, can these be frozen? I like to make ahead for holidays.

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        May 08, 2023 at 2:02 pm

        Hi Brenda, Yes these can be frozen. Just leave it at room temperature for a few hours to defrost - Maria

        Reply
    6. Stacy

      December 21, 2023 at 3:36 pm

      Can I get the measurements in the English format? What is 1.67 cup walnuts? 0.42 cup + 1.67 tablespoon golden brown sugar? And the other measurements?

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        December 21, 2023 at 5:32 pm

        Hi Stacy, The right measurements:
        1 cup walnuts
        ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon golden brown sugar, both packed (do not use dark brown)
        ¼ cup water
        1 tablespoon unsalted butter
        ⅛ teaspoon salt plus more for topping

        Hope it helps, Maria

        Reply
    7. Aura Miranda

      January 26, 2024 at 10:56 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe!!! Regards from Ecuador!

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        January 27, 2024 at 12:47 am

        That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it – Maria ♡

        Reply
    8. Lori

      September 03, 2024 at 1:15 pm

      Is it possible to use the Lakanto brown sugar substitute (monk fruit) to make this more low carb?

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        September 03, 2024 at 1:45 pm

        Hi Lori, I’m sorry, but I don’t have experience with monk fruit sugar, nor have I received feedback from readers about using brown sugar substitutes in this recipe. Unfortunately, I’m unable to offer guidance on this matter at the moment. I apologize for not being able to assist you this time - Maria

        Reply
        • Lori

          September 04, 2024 at 12:24 am

          I appreciate you responding. If I try it I’ll come back and report. 🙂

          Reply
    9. LaDonna

      December 22, 2024 at 1:09 am

      I made these same way you said, on high for 4 minutes then 1 minute and they were burnt. Why? I think my stove boiled them too much to fast

      Reply
      • Maria Doss

        December 22, 2024 at 1:35 am

        The heat was likely too high! Next time, cook on medium heat and don’t worry about the exact timing. Just cook until all the moisture evaporates. The walnuts will darken, become glossy, and start to clump together. Happy holidays - Maria

        Reply
        • Nancy

          December 22, 2024 at 8:24 pm

          Mine did not turn glossy, even though all the liquid evaporated. Any suggestions on what I might have done wrong?

          Reply
          • Maria Doss

            December 23, 2024 at 4:00 am

            Hi Nancy, I suspect the nuts were either cooked for a longer period or went beyond the glossy stage. When nuts are cooked for too long, the sugar starts to dry out and crystallize. I recommend keeping a watchful eye during the last minute and remove it when they look shiny. Hope it helps. Wishing you a happy holidays - Maria ♡

            Reply
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    3.77 from 245 votes (236 ratings without comment)

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