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!
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 “Fall” scents, like fireplaces, football concession-stand foods, pumpkin pie spice, and 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.
They are super crunchy and make you think of Fall every time you eat them. Don’t worry, they are also delicious in the Winter 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 some extra crunch. Check out these Fall Appetizers for even more inspiration!
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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.
How long do they last?
If you store them in an airtight container, they last for up to 3 weeks at room temperature.
I wouldn’t recommend storing them in the refrigerator. When you bring them to room temperature they can get a little sticky.
Can I freeze them?
Yes, you can! If you want to make them ahead of time, they will last for 3 months in the freezer. Just be sure to put in an airtight, freezer safe container.
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.
Serving Suggestions
- 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. Try them along with these candied almonds, these gingersnap pecans, these candied pecans, and these everything bagel almonds.
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
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!
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!
Fall Spiced Sugared Walnuts make a great snack and even better holiday gifts! I can’t stop eating them.
Fall Spiced Walnuts
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
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I followed your recipe and substituted pecans for the walnuts. Came out great!
Made these last week and loved them so much I’m already making more!! Bought some mason jars and plan on sharing the love!
So glad you liked them! I make them for the neighbors every year!
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!
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:)
These were fine. I added a little garlic salt. Will make again
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!
Thank you! So glad you liked them!
Love this recipe. I used cinnamon nutmeg chilli powder pumpkin spice sugar garlic powder .
I love the chili powder addition!
How many cups of walnuts?
Is there a way to shorten the recipe? I tried to make a small batch yesterday using a different recipe and they burned. I had to throw out so many walnuts! I still have about a pound and a half that I want to prepare for Christmas gifts, but I want to do then in in batches so that if they burn, I will not be completely out…
You can cut the recipe in half or in quarters if you like. I have made smaller batches before and they turn out great. Just be sure to shorten the cooking time as well. Maybe do 10 minute intervals instead of 20 minute ones.
These are Wonderful! I used walnuts and almond and add a pinch of salt.
sounds awesome!
We LOVED these last night on salads! WOrked great with the creamy dressing!
Love these and so simple to make. For my families preference I added salt to make them salty sweet. Careful, they are truly addicting and tastes like a burst of Autumn or Christmas in your mouth! Soooooo delicious served warm out of the oven!
I love the idea of adding some salt! I am going to try that next time I make them. Thank you!
Outstanding! Had them warm out of the oven on top of vanilla bean icecream. The only problem is that I can’t stop eating them.
I’m sorry 🙂 I think that might be a good problem to have… Next time you will have to double batch. So glad that you like them!
These look delicious. I wonder though, can they be made with splenda?
Yes they can! Just substitute equal amounts! Thanks for reading!
Love love love candied nuts. These walnuts look divine Jennifer!
Thanks for reading Allie! I was thinking of trying this spice mix on some almonds since my friends prefer them to walnuts!
Walnuts are my father in law’s favorite! These will definitely make me his favorite daughter in law. Okay, I’m the only daughter in law. But I know he’ll love these none the less.
You can still be the favorite but these nuts won’t hurt! Thanks for reading Amy!
Spiced nuts are one of my favorite things about the whole holiday season!! LOL at the cinnabrooms too 🙂
These are a great fall snack! Who can resist a candied nut?
I know that I can’t! I started eating more nuts last year and now I am addicted. Sweet OR Spicy!
I think this is perfect to make and have a bowl on the counter, mix in with a buffet, or just mixed with appetizers! These also would kick up a salad any day of the week!
I try to keep some there so I will snack on them instead of all the other holiday treats. I know they have some sugar on them but at least with the nuts I feel like I am a little healthy:) Thanks for reading! Yes they would be great on a a Fall harvest salad!
YES!!! I am LOVING this! 😀 I was just telling my husband we need to get some walnuts, and this is such a great way to spice them!
I do love cinnamon too, but there definitely is a limit to it! 😀 I hope the cinnamon doesn’t contaminate everything this winter! 😉 hahaha!! The smell of Cinnamon challenge is definitely not something you want to be bombarded with.
But in these spiced nuts? Absolutely yes!!
I think I have a genetic problem where it actually feels like it’s burning my skin if I eat or smell too much. Oh well. I am getting to where I can eat more and more but I hope that is not because I am getting old and losing my taste buds!