Perfect 5 Minute Glazed Nuts (2024)

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These Candied Nuts take just 5 minutes to make! Use any nuts you’d like — pecans, walnuts, cashews, you name it. Great for holiday gifting!

Photos updated 11/10/22 – same great recipe!

Perfect 5 Minute Glazed Nuts (1)

Irresistible Candied Nuts Recipe

You may want to double this “recipe” (quotations because I can barely call it a recipe its so easy!) for these 5-Minute Caramelized Nuts because you won’t be able to resist their caramelized crunch as they beg to be eaten sprawled out unprotected on parchment paper as they cool.

But if they make it past the tantalizing cooling phase, then these caramelized nuts are the cherry on top of salads (like my Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts), vegetables (like my Dijon Maple Green Beans), popcorn, desserts, and even stir fries (like my Skinny Caramelized Cashew Chicken Stir Fry). They just make everything better. And better is always better.

I’ve tried many recipes to caramelize nuts and this is by far the easiest andmost delicious, which really makes these nuts, well, perfect!

Perfect 5 Minute Glazed Nuts (2)

Candied Nuts Ingredients

This recipe can be used to make caramelized walnuts, caramelized pecans, caramelized cashews — whatever your heart desires! Here’s what you’ll need to make the candied nuts:

  • Nuts: Use any nuts you like!
  • Granulated sugar: I prefer using granulated sugar because it caramelizes so easily.
  • Cinnamon: Totally optional, but highly recommend.
  • Butter: Salted or unsalted will work. Just be sure to use real butter.

How to make Candied Pecans

  • Step 1: Combine. Add the nuts, butter and sugar to a nonstick pan.
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  • Step 2: Cook. Stir constantly as the butter and sugar melt (so it doesn’t burn). At first the sugar with clump, and then turn loose and sandy and then start to cling to the nuts. Finally, the white granules will melt into a caramel-like coating. And you have Perfect Caramelized Nuts in 5 minutes. Wasn’t that easy?!
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  • Step 3: Cool. Lastly, transfer your nuts to parchment paper to cool and try to resisteating them all — or don’t because you can have another batch in just 5 minutes.
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Tips for making Glazed Nuts

  • Don’t chop the nuts first because they will burn before the sugar and butter can create the candied coating.
  • Be patient and keep cooking until all of the sugar has melted.
  • I’ve only made this recipe using granulated sugar, but I’ve seen other recipes call for brown sugar so you can likely use either.
  • If your nuts don’t harden fully, that means the sugar wasn’t cooked long enough and didn’t caramelize. Cook the nuts longer next time!

Caramelized Nuts Variations to Try

  • Add some heat: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to add a kick of spicy flavor.
  • Add some salt: Sprinkle a little sea salt or kosher salt over the caramelized nuts to make them salty-sweet.
  • Add different spices: This recipe calls for cinnamon, but I’m sure you could add other warming spices (cardamom, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, etc.).

Storing Candied Walnuts

If stored at room temperature in an airtight container, these candied nuts should last up to 2 weeks.

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Suggestions for serving Candied Nuts

Whether you made caramelized pecans, caramelized walnuts, or another kind of candied nut, there are so many ways you can enjoy them! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Salads: Sprinkle these candied nuts atop salads like this Beet Salad, Apple Salad, Berry Fruit Salad, Cobb Salad, Cranberry Apple Brussels Sprouts Salad, or Roasted Butternut Squash Salad.
  • Vegetables: Enjoy atop sides like these Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes, Dijon Maple Green Beans, Balsamic Asparagus, or Glazed Carrots.
  • Desserts: These caramelized nuts are delicious atop Caramel Toffee Ice Cream Cake, Caramel Brown Sugar Pound Cake, Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie, Caramel Apple Poke Cake, and Apple Crisp.

More Easy Nut Recipes:

  • Triple Chocolate Turtle Cookies
  • Marcia’s Homemade Toffee
  • Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
  • Hummingbird Cake
  • German Chocolate Cupcakes
  • Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
  • Turtle Brownies
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More Favorites from Carlsbad Cravings

  • Mexican Lasagna with Noodles
  • Chicken Pad Thai Recipe
  • Potato Ham Soup
  • Egg Roll Recipe
  • Chicken Flautas
  • Chicken with Avocado
  • Hot German Potato Salad
  • Slow Cooker Ribs
  • Mexican Corn Salsa
  • Chili Chicken
  • Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
  • Sausage Gnocchi Soup

Perfect 5 Minute Glazed Nuts (9)

5 Minute Glazed Nuts

These Candied Nuts take just minutes to make! Use any nuts you'd like — pecans, walnuts, cashews, you name it. Great for holiday gifting!

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole raw nuts
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  • Add nuts, sugar, and butter to a large nonstick skillet and heat over medium heat. Stir constantly with a rubber heat-proof spatula until the sugar melts into the butter and completely coats the nuts, turning the heat down as needed, approximately 5-7 minutes. The sugar will look grainy until the melting/liquifying process happens at the very end.

  • Immediately transfer nuts to parchment paper and separate using 2 forks OR let the nuts harden together and break them apart with your fingers once cooled. Before cooling, I like to sprinkle with cracked sea salt. The nuts and coating will harden in 5-7 minutes. Chop the nuts if desired.

Notes

*If using chopped nuts, don’t chop them too small or they will burn.

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Reader Interactions

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79 Comments

  1. Helen Dehner says

    Love, love these candied nuts!! Thank you.

    Reply

    • Jen says

      I’m so glad, thanks Helen!

      Reply

  2. Margaret says

    The sugar never melted. This recipe is garbage

    Reply

    • Jen says

      It’s impossible for it not to melt – you just needed to cook it longer. Next time you can try increasing the heat.

      Reply

  3. Barbara Roe says

    I made the recipe using almonds and sea salt, no cinnamon. My husband began sampling right away not realizing they were for a gift package. Ha ha.

    Reply

    • Jen says

      LOL! Sounds delicious! Love when they’re good enough to eat from the counter!

      Reply

  4. Barb Dodson says

    Excellent recipe!

    Reply

    • Jen says

      Thanks so much!

      Reply

  5. Sherrie says

    The best and easiest candied pecans ever! I followed your instructions to a tee. Love the apple salad, too! Thanks Jen!

    Reply

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much, Sherrie! I am so happy you are loving my recipes!

      Reply

      • Melva says

        I will try these tomorrow as a tryout for Christmas goodies

        Reply

  6. Peggy Old says

    Can the caramelized nuts be frozen? Thanks

    Reply

    • Jen says

      Yes! After cooling completely, place them in an airtight bag or container.

      Reply

  7. make money online says

    Thank you for sharing indeed great looking !

    Reply

  8. Angela says

    I have an old stove so I just turned up the heat a bit and they turned out great!

    Reply

    • Jen says

      Happy to hear this recipe was a success! Thanks, Angela!

      Reply

  9. Bouncedancer says

    I wonder if this would work just mixing the ingredients together without cooking and using it as a topping for a cake that’s baking in the oven — would the topping caramelize? Have you tried it?

    Reply

    • Jen says

      I haven’t tried it, but it could work! Happy experimenting:)

      Reply

  10. Heather says

    Are you supposed to melt sugar and butter before you add the nuts? I added them all together, and the sugar stuck in the groove in the nuts and was harder and took longer to melt. Wondering if I did it wrong.

    Reply

    • Jen says

      You did it right! Just keep cooking until the sugar and butter melt. If it is taking really long, then try turning up the heat.

      Reply

  11. Bouncedancer says

    Outrageous! I made glazed pumpkin seeds (GoRaw brand, which I keep in my freezer) for a cake topping, and now I’m gonna have to make another batch, because I can’t resist them and there won’t be much left by the time the cake is ready. I used ghee instead of butter; the recipe worked perfectly. The result is outstanding (In case I didn’t make that clear).

    Reply

    • Jen says

      Haha I am so glad they were so irresistible! I am sure your cake is going to be amazing!!

      Reply

  12. Debbie says

    These came out perfect! I candied a batch of pecans, then almonds…I’m making a baked Brie with pumpkin butter and candied nuts for a dinner party. Can’t wait to try it all together!

    Reply

    • Jen says

      I want to be at that dinner party! Sounds delicious!

      Reply

  13. Connie says

    How much cinnamon?

    Reply

    • Jen says

      It depends on how “cinnamon-y” you would like them 😉 I would do 1/4-1/2 teaspoon.

      Reply

      • Connie says

        Awesome. Thx! Making these today for friends, family & office! Will be nice compliment to my mom’s recipe for “peppery pecans”!

        Reply

        • Jen says

          That is a great duo! I hope they turn out beautifully!

          Reply

  14. Lola says

    Found a long forgotten unopened kilo bag of pecans in my kitchen when I was hunting for snacks and decided to try this out. Well now it’s near 9:30pm and I have a sugar rush because I haven’t been able to stop eating them

    Reply

    • Jen says

      They really are irresistible! I’m so glad that you decided to give them a try!

      Reply

  15. Me says

    Darn. I used brown sugar, but the sugar moved very quickly (within seconds) from the caramelised liquid stage to burnt brown! I used whole walnuts and also some pine nuts, which possibly a little small.

    Reply

    • Jen says

      I’m sorry! You have to use granulated sugar for this recipe.

      Reply

  16. Melissa says

    Where do you put in the spice? Is it like when you’re cooking it at the end? I don’t see where the cinnamon added.

    Reply

    • Jen says

      It’s totally optional, but feel free to add a sprinkle at the beginning with the rest of the ingredients. Hope you enjoy!

      Reply

  17. NC says

    These turned out great! They’re so easy to make. They not only taste delicious but look delicious being shiny and inviting.

    Reply

    • Jen says

      Yay! I’m so happy they turned out so well!

      Reply

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Perfect 5 Minute Glazed Nuts (2024)

FAQs

How to make candied nuts not sticky? ›

Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt makes these taste salty-sweet. If you'd prefer to not taste the salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325°F (162°C) and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

How long do glazed nuts last? ›

Storage Instructions: Candied nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for several weeks. Freezing Instructions: They freeze well in an air-tight container for up to two months. Nuts: use any kind of nuts with this recipe, like walnuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews, or pistachios.

Why are my candied pecans grainy? ›

If your candied nuts are turning out all grainy, one reason might be that your sugar crystalized too soon. This could be due to not stirring frequently enough or if your heat is too high.

How to store candied pecans? ›

Storing. Candied pecans will keep tightly sealed in an airtight container for one to two weeks. They will keep for at least three weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator and may be frozen for several months.

Why are my glazed pecans sticky? ›

Under-cooking the pecans is the likely cause of stickiness, but the risk is low when they're oven-baked. After the sugar-coated nuts have darkened and turned very fragrant, about 20 minutes in the oven, stir the pecans and separate any pieces that have stuck together. Continue to bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Why are my candied almonds not crunchy? ›

Usually if the almonds are soft after candying it means that they weren't cooked for long enough.

Are glazed nuts healthy? ›

This crunchy snack of glazed pecans is great for topping ice cream, garnishing a salad, or nibbling all on their own. They'd even make a great gift or game day appetizer. Nuts are high on the list of healthy snacks with great levels of fiber, protein and unsaturated fats.

How do you keep candied walnuts from sticking together? ›

Let the walnuts cool completely: Let the candied walnuts cool for ten minutes or so before moving them around or taking them off the pan. It will be easier to break them up, the texture is best and they won't burn your mouth.

Do glazed walnuts go bad? ›

Okay, all bad dad jokes aside, these candied walnuts will last quite a while. All nuts do go rancid eventually, but as long as you cool them completely and then store them in an air-tight container, they should be good for about a month.

Why are my candied pecans soft on the stove? ›

The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts. How do you fix candied nuts that are too soft and sticky? You can place them back into the oven for 5 to 15 minutes or until they dry out more. They will continue to firm and dry out as they cool.

What happens when you melt butter and sugar together? ›

As the two ingredients whip together, the sugar starts to dissolve, creating tiny air pockets within the butter. These tiny bubbles of trapped air puff up cakes and other baked goods, creating lighter, fluffier, and moister desserts.

Do candied pecans go bad? ›

If you don't plan on eating your candied pecans right away, you may want to consider storing them in the refrigerator or freezer. Refrigeration can keep the pecans fresh for up to three months, while freezing can extend their shelf life for up to six months.

How many pecans does it take to make 1 lb? ›

For a pound of nutmeat, you will need 2½ pounds of in-shell pecans. In order to help you maintain the highest quality pecan meats, we have developed the following guide to help you understand the best way to handle and store your pecans.

Can dogs have pecans? ›

These nuts are toxic for dogs. Eating them can result in pets becoming sick and needing immediate veterinary care. “The reason pecans are considered toxic is that they contain a compound called juglone, also found in walnuts, that is harmful to dogs,” advises Dr.

How long can you keep homemade candied pecans? ›

How Long Do Candied Pecans Last? Store your candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. If you give them as a gift, be sure to include storage instructions.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

After 45 minutes, remove them from the oven and let them rest. You can remove the pecans to a baking sheet to cool faster if you like. Stir them every 10 minutes or so to avoid them clumping together, or you can just break them apart with a spatula or your hands later. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

How do you harden soft nuts? ›

Instructions
  1. Soak the nuts or seeds in a large bowl with enough water to cover by 3 inches or so.
  2. After about 8 hours, drain them off and rinse them well.
  3. Transfer to a mesh dehydrator tray and dry at 45c-60c until crisp, about 10 hours or until crisp when cool.
Feb 23, 2022

How do you fix soggy nuts? ›

Spread the stale snacks out on a cookie sheet and place in a 350o F oven. Let them bake for about 10 minutes and then remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cooled the snacks should be crispy and refreshed. You can use this method with fresh nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts, etc.

Why are my candied almonds chewy? ›

If your sugared almonds are sticky rather than crunchy on the outside, it's likely because you didn't bake them for long enough. Next time, bake the almonds for an additional 5 minutes. Just don't be tempted to increase the oven temperature as that could result in burnt almonds!

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