Vegan Candied Walnuts

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5 from 8 votes

These vegan candied walnuts are the easiest way to add sweet, caramelized crunch to salads, oatmeal, roasted veggies, and more. Made with just two ingredients and ready in five minutes, they’re a game-changer for quick snacking or meal prep. Keep a batch on hand, and you’ll never look at plain walnuts the same way again!

Cook Time5

Total Time5

Course: Side, Snack

Cuisine: American

Diet: Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: -2

Calories: 479kcal

Author: Michelle Cehn

Ingredients

½ cup raw walnuts
⅛ cup sugar

Instructions

In a cast iron pan over medium heat, add walnuts and sugar. Stir consistently until sugar begins to clump together.
As soon as the sugar begins to melt and form a liquid, turn off heat and immediately transfer sugar crusted walnuts to a dish and allow to cool. Sugar burns very easily so keep a close watch. Walnuts should be caked with sugar, but there will also be little clumps of sugar separate from the walnuts—that's ok!

Video

Notes

Storage: Store candied walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Avoid refrigeration, as it can introduce moisture and make them sticky. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed bag for up to two months—just let them come to room temp before serving.
Prevent Burning: Sugar melts fast, and once it starts caramelizing, things move quickly! Keep the heat at medium and stir constantly to avoid burning. If in doubt, take them off the heat sooner rather than later—they’ll continue to crisp up as they cool.
Avoid Grainy Texture: If the sugar looks dry or grainy instead of smooth and glossy, it may have crystallized. Try adding a tiny splash of water to help it dissolve evenly.
Breaking Up Clumps: If the walnuts stick together as they cool, simply break them apart with your hands or a spoon once fully hardened.
Want More Flavor? Add a pinch of cinnamon, vanilla, sea salt, or even cayenne while stirring to switch things up!

Nutrition