Description
Deliciously sweet and crunchy candied walnuts coated with a fragrant mixture of cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar. Perfect as a snack, salad topping, or dessert garnish, this recipe transforms simple walnuts into an irresistible treat baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Walnut Coating
- 16 oz walnuts
- 1 egg white
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Dry Mixture
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F and lightly grease a large baking sheet. Avoid using parchment paper or foil since the walnuts need direct contact with the greased pan for best results.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, sea salt, and ground cinnamon. Set this dry mixture aside for later use.
- Whip Egg White: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg white together with the vanilla extract until the mixture becomes frothy, about 1 minute. This helps the sugar and spices adhere to the walnuts.
- Coat Walnuts with Wet Mixture: Add the walnuts to the whipped egg white and vanilla mixture, stirring until all the walnuts are evenly coated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the coated walnuts. Stir thoroughly to ensure the dry mixture is evenly distributed. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to incorporate any remaining sugar and spices into the walnuts.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the coated walnuts out in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet to allow for even cooking.
- Bake and Stir: Bake the walnuts at 250 degrees F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent sticking and promote uniform caramelization. Although they may look done after 45 minutes, continue baking for the full hour.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the walnuts from the oven, give them a final stir, and let them cool on the baking sheet. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
- Storage: Store your candied walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness, or freeze them for longer storage.
Notes
- Do not use parchment paper or foil on the baking sheet to allow proper caramelization.
- Stir every 15 minutes during baking to ensure even coating and prevent burning.
- The walnuts will continue to harden as they cool, so allow them to cool completely before storing.
- Store the candied walnuts in an airtight container to keep them crisp.
- These walnuts make a great addition to salads, desserts, or can be enjoyed as a sweet snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
