These Spiced Maple Walnuts are quick and easy to make. They make the perfect sweet snack or are a delicious topping for salads, oatmeal, ice cream, and more!
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Why I love these Spiced Maple Walnuts
These Spiced Maple Walnuts are SO good! Sometimes I make a double batch just to have some for snacking while I'm making other things in the kitchen.
I also love to serve these walnuts with a cheeseboard or on top of ice cream. They really are a pretty versatile little treat.
Ingredients Needed to Make Candied Walnuts
Walnuts
Use fresh, raw walnuts for this recipe. When I say fresh, they can be purchased in a bag from the store, however, if you are using nuts you already have, ensure they haven't expired or smell oily.
Maple Syrup
There are many different maple syrups out there, but for this recipe, I suggest using real maple syrup. Yes, it's more expensive, but it's worth every penny for the difference in taste.
Olive Oil
You can use a basic extra virgin olive oil for this recipe. No need to use the expensive stuff you drizzle on top of things for flavor.
Spices
The sugar, ground cinnamon, and cayenne pepper are pretty basic for this recipe. If you love spicy, you can add an extra pinch of cayenne.
Ensure your salt is kosher salt or sea salt. Regular table salt is much saltier and will not give you the same result. If you do use table salt, use just a pinch or two.
I love to use fresh ground nutmeg in almost all the recipes I make because the flavor is stronger and spicer (if that's a thing). However, ground nutmeg will also work and your candied nuts will still be delicious.
How to Make Candied Walnuts
Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, and salt to a small bowl and stir to combine.
Place the walnuts into a medium mixing bowl and top with the olive oil and maple syrup. Stir to combine and coat all of the walnuts. Add the spice mixture to the walnuts and stir again to fully coat all of the nuts.
Spread out the walnuts onto the prepared cookie sheet in an even layer. Bake for 7 minutes, rotate the pan, and continue to bake for an additional 7 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the nuts to cool before enjoying warm, or storing them for later.
How to Serve These Nuts with Fall Spices
As I mentioned, there are so many ways to serve these Spiced Maple Walnuts, here are some ideas:
- Eat them as a snack!
- Serve them on top of your favorite salad like my Cranberry Walnut Feta Salad
- Add them to your morning oatmeal, smoothie, or waffles
- Serve them with a charcuterie board
- Give them as a gift
How to Store Maple Walnuts
You can store these nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. Ensure the nuts have completely cooled before storing them to avoid any extra moisture in the container.
Can you Freeze Candied Nuts?
Yes, you can freeze candied nuts. Once cool, place them in a freezer-safe container and store them for up to 3 months.
Tools Needed for This Recipe for Spiced Walnuts
If you are going to use freshly grated nutmeg, you need this nutmeg grater tool! It works great, has a place to store the nutmeg seed, and is super fun!
Silicone mats are the best for this recipe because they make removal after baking easy, as well as clean-up after!
These glass storage jars are perfect to store these candied maple walnuts. They are also perfect if you plan on giving these as a gift!
Related
Equipment
- 1 silicone mat (or parchment paper)
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw walnuts
- 1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (can sub coconut oil)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch freshly ground nutmeg (or store-bought ground nutmeg)
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, and salt to a small bowl and stir to combine, and set aside.
- Place the walnuts into a medium mixing bowl and top with the olive oil and maple syrup. Stir to combine and coat all of the walnuts. Add the spice mixture to the walnuts and stir again to fully coat all of the nuts.
- Spread out the walnuts onto the prepared cookie sheet in an even layer. Bake for 7 minutes, rotate the pan and continue to bake for an additional 7 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the nuts to cool. You can enjoy these nuts warm or use them for salads, oatmeal, or any dish that needs these candied nuts!
Video
Notes
- This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you want more than 2 cups of nuts.
- I opted to use less spice in this recipe because I usually use these nuts for salads or end up sharing them with my child. But, if you love spice, feel free to add an extra pinch or two of cayenne.
- Coconut oil can be used in place of extra virgin olive oil.
- Ensure your salt is kosher salt or sea salt. Regular table salt is much saltier and will not give you the same result. If you do use table salt, use just a pinch or two
- I love to use fresh ground nutmeg in almost all the recipes I make because the flavor is stronger and spicer (if that's a thing). However, ground nutmeg will also work and your candied nuts will still be delicious.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Did You Make These Spiced Maple Walnuts?
If you make these Spice Maple Walnuts, don’t forget to leave a comment and rating below. And if you snap a pic, tag me on Instagram or Facebook.
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Nancy says
I love walnuts. I didn’t realize you can make maple walnuts at home so easily. Thank you!
May says
This recipe was a HUGE hit! I'm so obsessed with the crunch and flavour, they are just delicious! It would make a great holiday snack too, definitely making them again!
Emily says
Thanks, May, I'm so glad you liked them!
Sage Scott says
Mmmmmm, spiced nuts are the perfect snack for the upcoming holidays. And I love that this recipe is alpha-gal friendly!
Emily says
Thanks, Sage, I hope you love them!
Jacqui says
I needed a recipe like this for the holidays! These walnuts will elevate so many of my upcoming holiday bakes and meals - thank you for sharing.
Emily says
You are welcome!
Elena says
Beautiful healthy snack. Me and my kids loved it and are going to make it again. Thank you for sharing!!
Emily says
Thanks, Elena. My son loved these too. Gotta love that!
Dawn says
Love these spiced maple walnuts, they are the perfect snack (I ate them all before trying them in anything haha!) Going to make them again for Christmas Eve, my extended family will love them too. They are so easy to make and I bet they are delicious in oatmeal and yogurt, trying them in yogurt next.
Emily says
Thanks for trying them, Dawn. I always make a double batch so I can eat them while I make other stuff.