Caramelized Walnuts

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Add a sweet and crunchy touch to your snacks, salads, or desserts with homemade Caramelized Walnuts—a quick, 15-minute recipe that's as simple as it is indulgent. Featuring perfectly toasted walnuts coated in a luscious, buttery caramel made from granulated sugar, a pinch of salt, and optional ground cinnamon for a warm, spiced note, this treat offers the perfect balance of nutty and sweet flavors. Made in one skillet with a few pantry staples, this recipe requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor and texture. Whether enjoyed as a standalone snack, sprinkled over a leafy green salad, or used to garnish ice cream sundaes, these caramelized walnuts are guaranteed to impress. Plus, they store beautifully, making them an ideal make-ahead option for entertaining or meal prep.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 5 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 15 min
• Servings: 8 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

6 items

• 2 cups walnuts
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 pinch pinch of salt
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon (optional)

📝 Instructions

8 steps

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set it aside.

2. In a large, non-stick skillet, combine the granulated sugar, unsalted butter, water, and a pinch of salt. If you want a spiced flavor, add ground cinnamon.

3. Place the skillet over medium heat and stir continuously with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until the sugar melts and forms a smooth caramel sauce. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

4. Once the sugar dissolves completely, add the walnuts to the skillet and stir to coat them evenly with the caramel sauce.

5. Continue stirring for 4-5 minutes, allowing the caramel to thicken and the walnuts to toast slightly. Be careful to avoid burning the sugar by adjusting the heat if necessary.

6. Quickly transfer the caramel-coated walnuts to the prepared baking sheet, spreading them out in a single layer using a heat-resistant spatula or spoon.

7. Allow the walnuts to cool completely at room temperature. As they cool, the caramel will harden, creating a crunchy coating.

8. Once cooled, break apart any clusters if needed and store the caramelized walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (60.5g)

Calories		311
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		21.4 g	27%
	Saturated Fat	3.5 g	18%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		8 mg	3%
Sodium		30 mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate		29.0 g	11%
	Dietary Fiber	2.0 g	7%
	Total Sugars	25.7 g
Protein		4.4 g	9%
Vitamin D		0.0 mcg	0%
Calcium		31 mg	2%
Iron		0.8 mg	4%
Potassium		126 mg	3%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1539 cal (59.0%%)

Protein: 138 cal (5.3%%)

Carbs: 929 cal (35.6%%)