Learn how to make candied walnuts in the oven for the best, crunchy texture and sweet, nutty flavor! Tossed with a citrusy, spiced cinnamon sugar mixture, these homemade candy-coated walnuts are easy to prepare and make for the perfect addition to salads, casseroles, desserts, and more!

Quick & Easy Candied Walnuts

I see lots of candied walnut recipes being made in a skillet, but I’ve found that they turn out best when baked. Far better than store-bought, my version uses a simple egg white cinnamon sugar coating infused with orange to create a sweet, spiced, nutty flavor that’s well-balanced and never overpowering.

The entire recipe comes together in minutes and leaves your home smelling like a bakery. Plus, the nuts are a great way to elevate any recipe. As a result, I pretty much always have a batch on hand to snack on or add to whatever I’m cooking!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Walnuts: I prefer to use walnut halves for faster, even roasting, but whole walnuts also work. I don’t recommend using walnut pieces, because they’re likely to burn.

Vanilla Extract: This adds depth and extra sweetness. Use high-quality pure vanilla extract, not the imitation stuff, for the best results.

Egg Whites: Once whipped, these act as a binder, allowing the sugar mixture to cling to the nuts and creating an almost meringue-like shell that creates the classic, crispy coating we want.

Spiced Sugar: I combine salt, cinnamon, light brown sugar, and orange zest to give my candied walnuts a little extra oomph. You can skip the orange zest if desired, but I love the bright, citrusy pop of flavor.

How to Make Candied Walnuts

Step 1. Whisk the egg white and vanilla in a bowl until stiff peaks form. You can use a whisk, but I find an electric mixer is the easiest way to do this!

Step 2. Add walnuts to the egg white mixture, and toss to coat.

tossed walnuts with whipped egg whites in a bowl

Step 3. Combine the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl, using a rubber spatula (or your fingers) to work the orange zest into the sugar. This releases the oils from the zest, infusing the mixture with citrusy flavor.

Step 4. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the nuts, and toss to coat them evenly before spreading the walnuts in an even layer on a lined baking sheet.

Step 5. Bake until the walnuts are lightly golden and aromatic, stirring partway through. The nuts may be a bit slimy after stirring, but don’t panic. They’ll continue to bake and don’t actually harden and set until they cool!

Step 6. Let your candied walnuts cool completely on the pan, and enjoy!

Ways to Use

If I’m being honest, I love to snack on these nuts all by themselves. However, they’re also an incredible addition to so many recipes! For instance, you can use them to make a homemade trail mix, add them to salads or cheese boards, or even sprinkle them over yogurt, oatmeal, or grain bowls.

Or, try adding them to baked goods like muffins, banana bread, banana bars with chocolate chips, or cookies. I also love to use them as a topping with carrot cake, coconut cake, my easy banana pudding recipe, or buttermilk pancakes.

You can even wrap them up in gift bags for the holidays! The options really are endless. So, don’t be afraid to get creative.

Possible Variations

Feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations to make this candied walnuts recipe your own. Some of my favorite ways to switch it up include:

Honey Cinnamon Walnuts: Swap the brown sugar for ½ cup of honey, and reduce the baking time slightly to prevent burning. The result is stickier, slightly softer nuts.
Spicy Sweet Walnuts: Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a sweet-heat combo that’s perfect for salads and snack boards.
Swap the Vanilla: Replace the vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste for a bolder, bakery-style taste.
Pumpkin Spice Version: Swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice for a fall-inspired twist.
Rosemary Sea Salt: Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of finely chopped fresh rosemary, and finish with flaky salt right after baking for a sweet-savory flavor.
Orange Cranberry Mix: Keep the orange zest, and mix in a 1/2 cup of dried cranberries after baking for a festive option.
Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, drizzle the candied walnuts with melted dark or white chocolate, and let it set at room temperature.
Mixed Nuts Version: Replace half the walnuts with pecans, almonds, or cashews for a slightly different taste and texture.

How to Store

Once cool, transfer leftover nuts to an airtight container or sealable bag. They will keep fresh in a cool, dry place at room temperature for 5-7 days. Avoid the cold or heat, or they’re likely to become soft!

More Dessert Staples

walnuts in a glass jar sitting on a baking sheet

I hope you found this recipe for how to make candied walnuts helpful! The nuts are sweet, spiced, and perfectly crunchy. If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @butterloveandsalt on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support Butter, Love & Salt and make it possible for me to continue to create delicious recipes.

candied walnuts on a baking sheet with a scoop

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