Easy Candied Nuts Recipe (Sweet & Crunchy)

Sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy candied nuts with a crunchy cinnamon-sugar coating. Just 5 minutes of prep, and they're perfect for snacking or gifting.

These homemade candied nuts have a crunchy cinnamon-sugar coating with just the right balance of sweetness, smokiness, and heat. As a former chocolatier, I know how important the sugar coating is. Whisking the egg white until frothy helps the sugar and spices cling evenly to the nuts, while baking at a low temperature creates a crisp finish.

Dark brown sugar adds rich, caramel-like flavor, while smoked paprika and cayenne give these mixed nuts a delicious savory kick. With just 5 minutes of prep, they're an easy snack, salad topping, or homemade gift.

For more homemade gift ideas, try chocolate covered pecans or chocolate pecan bark with rosemary.

Jump to:

• 🌰 Ingredient Notes
• 🥄 How To Make Candied Nuts
• Tips For Crunchy, Candied Nuts
• Storage
• Ways To Use Candied Nuts
• 🍫 More Holiday Recipes
• Candied Nuts Recipe

🌰 Ingredient Notes

• Mixed nuts: Use your favorite combination of raw, unsalted walnuts, pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts.
• Dark brown sugar: Adds richness and molasses flavor.
• Granulated sugar: Helps create a sweet, crisp coating.
• Smoked paprika and cayenne: Add smokiness and a gentle kick of heat. Reduce the cayenne for a milder version.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm spice that complements the nuts.
• Egg white: Helps the sugar and spices adhere evenly to the nuts.

🥄 How To Make Candied Nuts

*See recipe card below for a printable version.

Step 1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. and place piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Mix sugars, salt, paprika, cayenne, and cinnamon, making sure there are no lumps; set aside.

Step 2. Beat egg white, vanilla, and water until frothy but not stiff. Add nuts, and stir to coat evenly.

Step 3. Sprinkle nuts with sugar mixture, and toss until evenly coated. Spread sugared nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Step 4. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven, and separate nuts as they cool. When completely cool, pour the nuts into a bowl, breaking up any that stick together.

Tips For Crunchy, Candied Nuts

• Use raw, unsalted nuts. This prevents over-toasting and lets you control the saltiness.
• Don't overcrowd the pan. Spread the nuts evenly so the coating dries properly.
• Let them cool completely. The sugar coating continues to harden as the nuts cool.
• Still sticky after cooling? They may need more baking time. Return them to the oven briefly, watching closely to prevent burning.

Storage

• Room temperature: Store completely cooled nuts in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer: Freeze in a moisture-proof container for up to 2 months. Thaw while sealed to minimize condensation.

Ways To Use Candied Nuts

Enjoy them as a snack, add them to a charcuterie board, serve on top of ice cream, or sprinkle them over my apple walnut salad or roasted butternut squash salad in place of the regular nuts.

For more homemade holiday treats, try my 2-ingredient chocolate pecans or easy peppermint swirl bark.

🍫 More Holiday Recipes

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