Toffee Candied Walnuts Recipe

Introduction

These toffee candied walnuts are a perfect sweet and crunchy snack or topping. Coated in a buttery toffee glaze, they add delightful flavor to salads, desserts, or just by the handful. This easy recipe lets you customize the sweetness and spice to your taste.

Ingredients

• 3 cups walnut halves, or any other nut you enjoy
• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar (up to ½ cup for sweeter nuts)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or ½ teaspoon cinnamon extract for cinnamon nuts
• Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper for a sweet & spicy kick

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and salt. In a large bowl, whisk the egg white and vanilla extract until combined.
3. Step 3: Add the walnuts to the egg white mixture and toss until evenly coated.
4. Step 4: Add the brown sugar mixture (and any optional spices if using) to the walnuts and toss again until well coated.
5. Step 5: Spread the walnuts in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even toffee coating.
7. Step 7: Let the walnuts cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing.

Tips & Variations

• For a sweeter treat, increase brown sugar to ½ cup, but watch closely as they bake to avoid burning.
• Add cinnamon or cayenne pepper to the sugar mixture for a spicy or warm twist.
• You can substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or cashews.
• Make sure the walnuts cool fully to allow the toffee coating to harden properly.

Storage

Store cooled candied walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. If they soften over time, re-crisp by warming in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Avoid refrigeration to prevent moisture buildup.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts?

Yes, pecans, almonds, and cashews work great with this recipe and provide different flavor profiles.

Why do the nuts need to be coated with egg white?

The egg white helps the sugar and spices adhere evenly to the nuts and creates a crisp, shiny toffee coating once baked.

Toffee Candied Walnuts Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 79 reviews

These Toffee Candied Walnuts are the perfect sweet and crunchy snack or topping for salads and desserts. Coated with a mixture of brown sugar, vanilla, and a hint of salt, these walnuts bake to a caramelized, toffee-like finish that’s irresistible. Optional additions like cinnamon or cayenne pepper let you customize the flavor to your liking. Easy to make and perfect for gifting or enjoying yourself!

• Author: Joe
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: About 3 cups 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Walnut Mixture

• 3 cups walnut halves, or any other nut you enjoy
• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar (up to ½ cup for sweeter nuts)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Additions

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or ½ teaspoon cinnamon extract (for cinnamon nuts)
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (for a sweet & spicy kick)

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and salt to combine uniformly for the toffee coating.
3. Combine egg white and vanilla: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg white and vanilla extract until well blended to help the sugar stick evenly to the walnuts.
4. Coat the walnuts: Add the walnuts to the egg white mixture and toss until all nuts are thoroughly coated. Then sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the coated nuts and toss again to ensure an even toffee coating on each piece.
5. Spread and bake: Spread the coated walnuts into a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet to promote even cooking.
6. Bake and stir: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through to prevent burning and ensure even caramelization.
7. Cool completely: Remove from the oven and allow the walnuts to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing. This step is important as it helps the toffee coating harden to a perfect crunch.

Notes

• You can substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or any nut of your choice.
• Adjust brown sugar quantity for desired sweetness; more sugar equals sweeter nuts.
• Add cinnamon or cayenne pepper before baking for extra flavor and spice variations.
• Make sure nuts are spread out evenly to avoid clumping while baking.
• Store cooled candied walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Keywords: toffee candied walnuts, candied nuts recipe, baked nuts, sweet snack, walnut recipe, holiday snacks