These easy Vegan Candied Walnuts are coated in crunchy cinnamon sugar and come together in 10 minutes using 5 simple ingredients. They make a great snack, salad topping or Holiday gift!
I love baking, but I don't always have the time for it. So, I love to have a few no-bake sweet treat recipes in my back pocket for when I have to have something, but I'm short on time. Because I can always find time to whip up a batch of Vegan Rice Krispie Treats, or Chocolate Covered Dates, or even No-Bake Cookie Dough Bites!
And these easy Vegan Candied Walnuts are the fastest of them all! I love to make them as a gift or to have around as a snack or even a salad topping. They are crunchy, full of cinnamon, and are truly perfect.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This recipe is super simple, to make it's perfect for beginners!
- These Candied Walnuts are vegan, egg free and gluten-free, so anyone can enjoy them!
- And they only require 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to make.
- These walnuts make the perfect snack, gift, salad topping or ice cream topping!
- And most importantly, they are absolutely delicious and so crunchy!
Ingredient Notes
Walnut Halves: This recipe calls for walnut halves, but you can use a mix of halves and pieces. Don't use all pieces and definitely don't use chopped walnuts!
Sugar: Use regular granulated sugar, here. Don't substitute anything else!
Substitutions
Instead of walnuts, use any nut you like. Pecans would be delicious.
Instead of just cinnamon, add any warm spice to these walnuts. Chai masala blend or pumpkin pie spice will be so good!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. First, combine the water and sugar in a large stainless steel skillet.
Step 2. Next, turn the heat to medium high, and stir occasionally until the mixture comes to a boil. Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute.
Step 3. Now, add the walnuts, cinnamon and salt and stir to coat everything in the syrup.
Then, turn the heat off. Trust me, here! The sugar will not recrystallize if you keep the heat on. And, the nuts will burn.
Step 4. Keep stirring the walnuts until the sugar has recrystallized. This will just take a minute or two.
Then, pour the Candied Walnuts onto a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool.
Recipe FAQs
To store, transfer them to an airtight container and leave them at room temperature.
You can keep them in your pantry for up to 2 months! They will stay crunchy and fresh.
Expert Recipe Tips
Once you coat the walnuts in the sugar syrup, make sure you turn the heat off. The sugar will not recrystallize if you keep the heat on and the nuts will end up burning.
Make sure you use a large, 12-inch skillet to make these Candied Walnuts. If you use something smaller, you will probably make a mess when you stir the walnuts in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
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If you tried this Vegan Candied Walnuts recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today!
📖 Recipe
Candied Walnuts (Vegan!)
Equipment
- 1 12" Stainless Steel Skillet
- 1 Wooden Spoon
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 1 Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- ¼ Cup Water
- 1 ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt half this amount if using table salt
- 1 Pound Walnut Halves
Instructions
- In a large, heavy bottomed stainless steel skillet, combine water and sugar. Stir together with a metal spoon, and turn the heat to medium high.1 Cup Granulated Sugar, ¼ Cup Water
- Stirring occasionally, cook the sugar and water until it comes to a full boil. Then, allow it to boil for 1 minute.
- Add cinnamon, salt and walnuts. Stir to coat everything in the syrup, then turn the burner off.1 Pound Walnut Halves, 1 ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon, ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- Continue stirring until the sugar has crystallized. This will take about 1 minute. See note!
- Pour onto a cookie sheet to cool and serve!
Tracy Campbell says
The cinnamon walnuts are awesome. Thanks for the recipe!!
Megan Calipari says
So happy you liked them!
Pat says
They delicious, making a second batch today.
Linda Behymer Secrist says
My family loved them ! And when I told them the story, they loved them even more! We are huge UK Wildcats fans ! We will be making this a holiday tradition and will continue to call them Deez Nuts! Lol
Megan Calipari says
So happy you enjoyed them! And yay for new holiday traditions!
Allison says
This recipe was super easy and very tasty. My family loved them. Saving this recipe to make again next year.
Megan Calipari says
So happy you enjoyed them! Happy New Year!
Elizabeth Ockerman says
Megan, I have a wonderful, super-easy recipe for pecans covered in an orange juice/sugar coating. Would be glad to share it with you if you’d like to try it. I got it from a friend in Louisville (gulp) in 1966...now a family favorite!
Katherine Nelson says
Perfect recipe. I have tried others but this is the best.
Norma Farman says
made 2 lbs for church . I let sit on parchment overnight . separating if needed and stirring sometimes to dry . sprinkled more cinnamon over them . plenty of raves !!! Fantastic . wasn't one nut left . . Thank you !!!
pat says
I made them today. Excellent
Patricia says
Son came in for the holidays and wanted some snacks for him. Delicious nuts can't stop eating them. Thanknyou for a great recipe.
Maureen says
I chose this recipe because of the simple ingredients and quick to make. They are delicious! My husband said I need to hide the jar because he keeps grabbing a tasty handful!! I will definitely be making these again for gifts.
Laura says
So good! These will make a great holiday treat and gift! Thanks!