Caramelized & Candied Pecans or Walnuts

Condiment, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free

Looking to add a touch of gourmet flair to your salads? Enter: Candied Pecans or Walnuts—a game-changer for your salads. 

 

Candied pecans on a mixed green salad with microgreens, cheese and red pears.

Recipe Steps

My journey with these tasty treats began during cooking classes with Chef Debi Stuckwisch. Learning the art of candying nuts opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for our salads.

But here’s a little secret—they’re not just for salads! These crunchy, sweet gems are equally delish as standalone snacks.

A word of caution: when preparing this recipe, exercise care to prevent the sugar-balsamic mixture from burning. Trust me, parchment paper is your best friend when making these nuts. Once cooled, break the nuts apart and store them in an airtight container for easy access whenever the craving strikes.

Whether topping a salad or enjoyed on their own, these candied nuts are sure to upgrade your cooked creations. Get ready to impress your taste buds and elevate your salads to gourmet status!

Candied pecans after baking
Candied pecans on a mixed green salad with microgreens, cheese and red pears.

Caramelized & Candied Pecans or Walnuts

Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Condiment
Cuisine American
Servings 15
Calories 276 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 C Raw Sugar
  • 4 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 lb. Pecans or Walnuts

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 325℉.
  • Cook the sugar and balsamic vinegar in a non-stick pot over medium low heat until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Stir in the nuts to coat.
  • Pour nuts onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
  • Place the baking pan into the oven and bake at 325℉ for 10 minutes.
  • Allow nuts to cool, then break them apart and store them in an air-tight container until ready to use.

Notes

Chef Debi Stuckwisch of Meals Like Moms shared this recipe with me.

Nutrition

Serving: 151 Tbsp.Calories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 3gFat: 21gSodium: 17mgPotassium: 5mgFiber: 3gSugar: 16g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Victoria Cook

Victoria is a passionate home cook who became the host and chef of over 100 episodes of a private cooking show tailored for wellness practitioners and their patients. With a love for ethnic cuisines, she enjoys using a variety of spices and fresh ingredients to create flavorful, healthy meals for her husband and son. Always up for a culinary challenge, Victoria finds joy in experimenting with new recipes—and if she can whip them up in an electric pressure cooker, she’s even happier.

Let’s Stay in Touch

Get the Latest Recipes