These Christmas candied walnuts made with brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger are perfect for the holiday season! Perfect candied walnuts for salads, as a sweet snack or gifting.

Air fryer and oven baked options provided below.

Imagine that feeling of walking up to the aroma of spiced nut carts on a chilly winters day. I won't forget the moment when I walked up to a sugared almond cart in London at Christmas. I crossed over the Millennium Bridge towards the Tate Modern when all of a sudden the warm smell hit me.

You can now conjure the same ambience, with this easy recipe, in the comfort of your warm kitchen. Bonus, the sweet smell lingers for longer!

I went for a candied walnut recipe which is perfect for Christmas time and is made with a handful of ingredients. It is the perfect snack just as or as a topping to salads and even desserts! It's egg-free and gluten-free.

A female hand is picking up candied walnuts with brown sugar from the plate

Candied Walnuts Ingredients

Walnuts - you can use whole walnuts or walnut halves. Go for raw walnuts rather than ready roasted

Brown sugar - you can also use white sugar or maple syrup

Butter - salted or unsalted works.

Spices - cinnamon powder and ginger powder. Variations include nutmeg

Vanilla extract

Sea salt

Make it vegan by using vegan butter, coconut oil or olive oil.

How to make Candied Walnuts with Brown Sugar

In a medium non-stick skillet, add the walnuts, brown sugar, butter, spice powders, vanilla and a pinch of salt.

2. Turn on the heat on a low medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves and is bubbling.

candied walnuts ingredients placed in the frying pan

ingredients of candied walnuts for salad in a pan

best candied walnuts in the air fryer basket before roasting

roasted christmas walnuts in the air fryer basket

3. Line a baking sheet or air fryer basket with parchment paper.

4. Spoon the candied nuts into a single layer.

5. Bake for 5 minutes at 170C or 340F.

Air Fry at 170C 340 F for 2-3 minutes

6. Let them cool for a couple of mintes, then sprinkle over icing sugar and toss to coat well.

powdered sugar added to the roasted christmas walnuts

candied walnuts in the cream colour serving bowl

candied walnuts with brown sugar in the white plate with a spoon

Pro Tips

Check your walnuts are fresh and well in date. Rancid walnuts will be bitter tasting once cooked

Try to avoid using the smaller pieces of walnuts so they can all cook evenly.

Stick to low heat as high heat can lead to the sugar burning and tasting bitter. Avoid medium-high heat for this reason

If the sugar does not appear to be melting as it heats, you can add a spoon of water to the mixture at a time.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many serving possibilities for these candy walnuts.

Enjoy them as a delicious snack

Great addition to a salad recipe such as a beet salad with crumbled feta cheese

Add them to a cheese plate or a delicious addition to a charcuterie board

Add them to the top of ice cream or oatmeal

Storage

Keep stored in an airtight container once they have reached room temperature.

Sugared walnuts stored in a mason jar make for great gifts.

Other Holiday Snacks Recipes

Pumpkin Scones

Spiced Rosemary Almonds

Cardamom and Cinnamon Fudge

Christmas Jam

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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christamas candied walnuts spread on a white plate on a beige napkin

Candied Walnuts with Brown Sugar

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

These Christmas candied walnuts made with brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger are perfect for the holiday season! Perfect candied walnuts for salads, as a sweet snack or gifting.

Course Snacks

Cuisine American

Cook Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Author Hayley Dhanecha

Equipment

1 Frying pan
1 Spatula
1 Air fryer or Oven
1 Parchment paper or Baking Tray

Ingredients

3 cup walnuts raw
3 tablespoon butter salted or unsalted
¾ cup brown sugar soft
1 tablespoon ginger powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

In a medium non-stick skillet, add the walnuts, brown sugar, butter, spice powders, vanilla and a pinch of salt.
Turn on the heat on a low medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves and is bubbling.

Oven Method

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spoon the candied nuts into a single layer.
Bake for 5 minutes at 170C or 340F or Gas Mark 3.

Air Fryer Method

Air fryer basket with parchment paper.
Spoon the candied nuts into a single layer.
Air Fry at 170C 340 F for 2-3 minutes.
Let them cool for a couple of mintes, then sprinkle over icing sugar and toss to coat well.

Video

Notes

Check your walnuts are fresh and well in date. Rancid walnuts will be bitter tasting once cooked.

Try to avoid using the smaller pieces of walnuts so they can all cook evenly.

Stick to low heat as high heat can lead to the sugar burning and tasting bitter. Avoid medium-high heat for this reason.

If the sugar does not appear to be melting as it heats, you can add a spoon of water to the mixture at a time.

Note that these cooking times and temperatures may vary based on your oven or air fryer. Keep check to ensure they are not burning

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

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