My mom used to make spicy candied walnuts around the holidays. They were a favorite of mine when I would come home and have a drink with my parents. They’re still a favorite of mine and they’re easy to make. Unfortunately, my wife isn’t the biggest fan of spice and her parents don’t drink. so these won’t be making an appearance at Christmas this year. New years will be another story however since we’ll be back in DC and spending it with friends. Check out the recipe below.
Spicy Candied Walnuts Notes
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside until ready to use. Combine the salt, cayenne, and sesame seeds in a bowl and stir to combine. Set aside until ready to use. Add the water and the sugar to a large sauce or saute pan.
Stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and then add the walnuts. Stir to coat the walnuts and continue to heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Add the sesame mixture and stir constantly until the water is nearly evaporated. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook and stir until the nuts are golden brown and sandy, around four minutes.
Pour the walnuts onto the prepared baking sheet and spread them into a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes or until the nuts are golden brown and covered in a sandy coating. Let the nuts cool completely on the baking sheet.
Break up any large clusters of nuts and transfer them to a bowl to serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. These also make a great last minute gift for that person on your list that you completely forgot about. Put them in a fancy mason jar with a bow and you’re all set. Similar to a challah, you’ll definitely win people over if you bring these to a party.
Spicy Candied Walnuts
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Saute pan
Ingredients
- 454 grams walnuts (1 lb or 4 cups)
- 200 grams granulated sugar (1 cup)
- 118 ml water (1/2 cup)
- 72 grams sesame seeds (1/2 cup)
- 1-¼ tsp Cayenne pepper powder
- ½ tsp Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- In a large sauce pan over medium heat, combine the water and sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved then stir in the walnuts and bring to a boil.
- In a separate bowl, combine the sesame seeds, cayenne and salt and set aside.
- Once the mixture is boiling, stir in the sesame, cayenne, and salt and stir until the water is mostly evaporated. Lower the heat and continue to stir until the walnuts are golden brown and sandy, around 4 minutes.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Pour the walnuts onto the baking sheet and spread into a single layer.
- Bake for 20 minutes until the nuts are golden brown with a sandy coating
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan.
- Break up any clusters and transfer to a bowl to serve.
Easy to make, delicious!