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Spiced Walnuts

These Fall Spiced Walnuts are toasted and coated with a light & crispy sugar coating full of warm Fall spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg!

side view of fall spiced walnuts in a black bowl

Spiced Walnuts

Fall is in the air and it feels great! “Not too hot, not too cold, you just need a light jacket.”

Of all the aromas we can smell in fall; fireplaces, football concession-stand foods, pumpkin pie spice, mulled apple cider, my Ma’s spiced pecans were always my favorite.

I decided to make her recipe but with walnuts to switch things up a bit. But really you can make this recipe with just about any type of nut you like.

These cinnamon nutmeg spiced walnuts encompass all that is fall and will even work well in the winter season too. Not only are they are a healthy snack, they make great gifts for neighbors, teachers, and coworkers.

Add them to charcuterie boards and cheese plates for texture. Check out these Fall Appetizers for even more inspiration!

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walnuts in a bowl next to a bowl of sugar mix

This spiced walnuts recipe only needs a few simple ingredients that will have you drooling while you are prepping!

Ingredients Needed

Walnuts – Buy raw walnuts in bulk to save money. You can store them in the freezer for up to 6 months!

Spices – The essential spices of fall include cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Sugar – Use granulated white sugar for this recipe.

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Making sugar coated walnuts or any type of nut for that matter is a fairly simple process.

How to make Spiced Walnuts

First: Preheat oven to 200F. Place the raw walnuts in a large bowl, making sure to pick out shells.

Second: Combine the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Stir to mix. Add water to moisten the mixture. Pour over the walnuts and stir to evenly coat.

Third: Spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper into a single layer. Toast the walnuts in the oven at 200F for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes or until fragrant and golden brown.

Fourth: When done, remove the toasted nuts from the oven and cool completely. Store at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 3 weeks.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

closeup of sugared walnuts in a black bowl

How to tell if walnuts are bad

The best way to tell is to smell them. Walnuts are full of healthy oils and oil can go bad or rancid. Walnuts should smell slightly nutty. If it smells harsh like a chemical, the oils have gone bad.

The best way to avoid this is to buy the freshest nuts and store them in the freezer until ready to use.

Can I freeze spiced walnuts?

Yes, you can! If you want to make them ahead of time, they will last for 3 months in the freezer.

How long can I store them?

If stored in an airtight container, you can keep these spiced walnuts for up to 3 weeks at room temperature.

I wouldn’t recommend storing them in the refrigerator as the temperature changes when removing them can cause condensation. Moisture is the enemy!

spiced walnuts in a black bowl

Uses for spiced walnuts

  • light snacking
  • bringing to a party
  • adding to a salad
  • placing on a cheese board
  • topping ice cream, pies, and cakes.
  • giving as gifts to foodie friends, teachers, and party hostesses.

They are easy to make and sure to please! My Ma used pecans but I am having a love affair with walnuts right now.

This candied walnut recipe works for just about any nut you choose but you might have to watch the cooking time for smaller sized nuts.

overhead picture of walnuts in a bowl

Are spiced walnuts gluten free?

Yes, this recipe is gluten free! If you use other sweeteners you can make this recipe Paleo, Keto, and Whole 30 friendly.

Nuts, like fruits, have a season so feel free to try this recipe out on other nuts that are in season!

Seasonal Nuts by Month

  • Almonds: August-November, available in most stores all year
  • Cashews: November-June
  • Chestnuts: September, available in most stores October-December
  • Hazelnuts (filberts): October
  • Macadamia: January-March
  • Peanuts: July-August
  • Pecans: October, available in most stores all year
  • Pistachios: September – November, available in most stores all year
  • Walnuts: October, available in most stores all year
side view of black bowl full of fall spiced walnuts

Tapas Tips & Tricks

  • Buy nuts in bulk to save money and store in the freezer until ready to use.
  • I use granulated sugar for this recipe but you can substitute light brown sugar. If you use dark brown sugar, you will need to adjust the cooking time.
  • Try this recipe with any of your other favorite nuts. Just know that with changes in the size of the nuts, you will need to adjust your cooking time.
  • If you want to balance out the sweetness a bit, add a pinch of kosher salt.

Want more ideas for Fall Desserts? Check these out!

collage of fall desserts

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

Pinterest image with text "fall spiced walnuts"

Fall Spiced Sugared Walnuts make a great snack and even better holiday gifts! I can’t stop eating them.

closeup of sugared walnuts in a black bowl

Fall Spiced Walnuts

These crispy walnuts are toasted and covered with a light and crispy sugar coating that is spiced with Fall spices. Cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg get you ready for the holidays!
4.25 from 37 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Nuts
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 24
Calories: 280kcal
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs walnuts
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  • Mix sugar with spices.
  • Add enough water to make it messy (~1/2 cup).
  • Add walnuts and mix enough to coat the nuts.
  • Spread out on a foil-lined baking sheet.
  • Bake at 200F for 1 hour being sure to stir every 20 minutes.
  • Take out and let cool completely.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze for three months.

Video

Notes

  • Buy nuts in bulk to save money and store in the freezer until ready to use.
  • I use granulated sugar for this recipe but you can substitute light brown sugar. If you use dark brown sugar, you will need to adjust the cooking time.
  • Try this recipe with any of your other favorite nuts. Just know that with changes in the size of the nuts, you will need to adjust your cooking time.
  • If you want to balance out the sweetness a bit, add a pinch of kosher salt.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

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Recipe Rating




Kathy Metlika

Thursday 10th of November 2022

I followed your recipe and substituted pecans for the walnuts. Came out great!

Julia Schnese

Tuesday 23rd of November 2021

Made these last week and loved them so much I’m already making more!! Bought some mason jars and plan on sharing the love!

Jennifer

Monday 29th of November 2021

So glad you liked them! I make them for the neighbors every year!

Andrea

Monday 15th of November 2021

The yield for this recipe is 2 cups but two pounds of walnuts is around 7 cups or so. Can you please clarify? Thank you!

Jennifer

Tuesday 16th of November 2021

Sorry that was a typo. If using 2 pounds of walnut halves it will yield between 6-7 cups of spiced walnuts depending on their size. Sorry about that:)

Courtney

Thursday 31st of December 2020

These were fine. I added a little garlic salt. Will make again

Marilyn Karjalainen

Monday 14th of December 2020

Very delicious!! Made these to include in friend’s Christmas gifts. The spices really stand out and I’m pleased that you don’t have to use egg whites. Going to have to make more for us!

Jennifer

Tuesday 15th of December 2020

Thank you! So glad you liked them!