These Easy Candied Nuts are just 6 ingredients and less than 30 minutes start to finish! They are sweet and salty with a hint of cinnamon — perfect for an edible holiday gift!
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I will admit, the last few years I haven’t really done a whole whack of Christmas baking and candy making and homemade gifts because, well, kids are crazy.
This year, we have a 1 year old, 3-almost 4 year old, and a 6 year old, and it’s busy. And I don’t like busy (you can ask anybody) — I’m an introvert big time and when I don’t have enough time to recuperate and refill, I start to feel a little crazy myself.
And so, I let go of the expectations that I will spend hours and hours baking and prepping and making edible gifts with cute labels for every person we see ever, and I don’t make homemade Christmas cards and I give myself a little leeway.
But I so badly want to make space for good, homemade treats, so for me this year is all about finding those easy recipes that are just as fun and delicious as the sugar cookies you have to spend 18 hours chilling and rolling and cutting and baking.
All that to say these Candied Nuts are on that list.
They are easy (really), with just 6 ingredients and super customizable.
They look cute in a small glass jar with a simple ribbon, which means minimal wrapping for you.
They are perfect for snacking or an appetizer or dessert, or even to top a salad.
They are gluten-free and vegetarian. Plus, nuts are full of healthy fats and protein 🙂
How to make Candied Nuts:
Making these Candied Nuts is relatively easy, as long as you have a thermometer. There are other methods but using a thermometer to check if the candy is ready by far the easiest.
Your best bet is to get a clip on candy thermometer like this one. Then you’re on your way to perfect candy coating!
Simply simmer the sugar and milk (I haven’t tried this recipe with non-dairy milk, so I can’t advise on that), until it reaches the correct temperature, stir in the flavorings (cinnamon, vanilla and salt – but you could mix this up if you wanted!), then stir in your nuts.
Feel free to mix up the nuts to suit your tastes — our favorite are almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans and peanuts.
How to store and freeze Candied Nuts:
- You can store these at room temperature in an air tight container (I love to keep them in mason jars as they look so pretty!) for up to 1 week.
- To freeze, place in a large freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Eat them right out of the freezer or allow to thaw for 10-15 minutes on the counter.
How to customize this Candied Nuts recipe:
I mentioned a few options earlier, but here are some ideas to take this candied nuts recipe to the next level:
- ¼ teaspoon of salt will give it just the slightest hint of salt, ½ teaspoon will give it a more pronounced sweet/salty flavor.
- Add in a pinch of cayenne for a bit of spice!
- Use only your favorite nuts — there’s no reason you need to use a mix! If you love almonds, use just almonds, or pecans, or walnuts, etc.
- Add more cinnamon, and a pinch of ginger, cloves and nutmeg for a fall spice blend — just start with a teeny tiny amount so you don’t overdo it!
Easy Candied Nuts
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200g
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups mixed nuts almonds, pecans, brazil nuts, peanuts, cashews
Instructions
- In a medium pan over medium heat, whisk together the sugar and milk and heat until boiling.
- Without stirring (resist the urge to touch it!), let the mixture boil on medium heat until it reaches 242-248 degrees F or firm ball stage on a candy thermometer. This took about 10 minutes for me. You can also test it by dropping a small amount into a glass of very cold water — if it forms a firm but pliable ball, it’s ready.
- Stir in cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Add nuts and stir until coated.
- Spread onto a parchment lined baking sheet and separate or let harden in large chunks — whatever you prefer.
- Let cool until candy coating is firm, then store in an air tight container for up to 1 week at room temperature, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Claudia Wood says
OMG these are good. First of all, this was a rescue mission. I made another recipe and it was almost tasteless. Then I found yours and thought maybe I could start with what I had already made. So I got the sugar and milk on the boil and then discovered I had no candy thermometer. Seems the meat thermometer survived our move but not the candy thermometer! So I brought it to a boil and gave it about ten minutes, tried the drop in water and hoped I was correct. I stirred in the nuts and they are now cooling. I managed to burn my tongue being impatient…lol. They are amazing and now I am not sure I want to give them away!!
The Recipe Rebel says
Glad it worked for you Claudia!
Christina says
Can you use Planters Mixed Nuts? Or is it better to use un salted nuts?
Ashley Fehr says
You can use salted nuts, they will just be a little saltier 🙂
Cathy Shultes says
This would be the perfect gift for my coworkers! Can you tell me if I should be using raw nuts or roasted nuts for this recipe
Ashley Fehr says
Either would work, but roasted would give the nuts great flavor!
Robyn says
I’m not sure if I am completely missing it, but how much makes a serving?
I need to count carbs for insulin dose..
There doesn’t seem to be a crazy big amount of carbohydrates.
I’m very excited to make some and share as gifts, but I know I will end up eating some myself?
Thank you for sharing,
Robyn
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Robyn! I’m sorry it’s not more specific. The recipe makes about 18 servings. Since you need exact numbers your best bet would be to weigh the entire batch after making, and then divide the entire weight by 18 servings. I hope that helps!
Kentuckylady717 says
SORRY, I went back and there it was….how did I miss it the first time?? There are 2 recipes showing at one time…I guess that was how I missed it…..
Don’t know if my computer has an issue or that is the way you have it !!
Ashley Fehr says
So glad you found it! I don’t see two recipes at one time but there might be something happening that I don’t see.
KENTUCKYLADY717 says
They look delicious.
No, haven’t tried them , but sure plan on it…
Would love to see video’s where you make them…..that would be cool.
I love to watch videos of how you make and put things together….
Joyce says
Hi love the recipe! Wondering if I can use salted roasted nuts? If so I will also cut down the salt, but how much, in the recipe.
Thank you,
joyce
Ashley Fehr says
If you are using salted nuts I would likely omit the salt completely.