Candied Walnuts
vegetariangluten-freedairy-freesnackdessertKid-FriendlyMeal-Prep
Here's how to make crunchy candied walnuts in the air fryer. This recipe uses melted butter and a brown sugar-cinnamon coating for a classic sweet treat. We've included precise air frying instructions, plus tips for getting the perfect crunchy shell.
Ingredients
- 2 cups walnut halves
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- pinch cayenne (optional, but the sweet-heat combo is addictive)
Season it upPairs with Maple Bacon, Apple Pie Spice, Cinnamon Sugar, or Pumpkin SpiceSee all seasonings →
Steps
- 01Toss the walnuts with melted butter until coated.
- 02Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne. Toss until every walnut is evenly coated. Use your hands if needed.
- 03Ready for the air fryer. Cook in short bursts with frequent stirring. Sugar burns fast.
- 04Spread on parchment paper to cool. They'll be sticky when hot and crispy when cool. Don't touch them for at least 10 minutes.
The cooling period is mandatory. Hot candied walnuts feel soft and underdone. That's the melted sugar. As it cools, it hardens into a crunchy shell. If you test one hot and decide they need more time, you'll burn them. Trust the cool-down.
people love this variationShare your own version →
How to Air Fry It
- 01Preheat the air fryer to 320°F.
- 02Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- 03Spread the prepared walnuts evenly in the basket and season with your chosen spice pack (see below).
- 04Air fry at 320°F for 8 minutes, tossing the walnuts halfway through the cooking time.
- 05Remove the walnuts from the air fryer and let them cool on a separate baking sheet to harden.
Recipe Notes
Be the first to share a tip or note about this recipe. What worked, what you changed, or what you'd do differently next time.
Season it up
Discussion
Loading comments...