Maple Glazed Walnuts Recipe (2024)

September 25, 2017

posted by Julie in Appetizers, Candy, Desserts, Fall, Gluten Free, No Bake Desserts, Recipes, Sides, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Perfect for a snack, topping a salad, or embellishing a dessert, these 5-minute, 4 ingredients Maple Glazed Walnuts are easy and delicious for fall – or year round!

Maple Glazed Walnuts Recipe (1)

Late September. Fall is in the air. The crisp crunch of leaves on the ground, a chilly breeze, a cup of warm tea.

Wait. Scratch that. More like: late September. It’s blisteringly hot outside. The drip of sweat down the back of your neck, seeking the shady spot at the playground, coming home to an ice-cold popsicle.

Nevermind the heat, we’re here to talk about something decidedly fall-related today: maple glazed walnuts. Although to be honest, despite the fall flavors, I find these are actually a year-round staple in our house.

Not only are they the perfect just-slightly-sweet after-dinner treat, but I love adding them to savory dishes as well. These maple glazed walnuts wind up in our salads, tossed with our roasted Brussels sprouts, and piled on top of baked brie.

Theyalso(obviously) work perfectly with desserts. In fact, I just might have a recipe coming for you later this week, featuring these very same maple glazed walnuts… (update: it’s this maple walnut bundt cake!).

Maple Glazed Walnuts Recipe (2)

Easiest Way to Make Candied Walnuts

There are two ways to make typical candied walnuts (and I’m a fan of both). Option one: melted butter + sugar. Option two: maple syrup. Given that the title of this post ismaple glazedwalnuts, you probably have a good guess which way we’re going to describe today.

“Natural” sweeteners, like maple syrup, have become especially trendy lately. Fueled in part by the paleo crazy, there’s a lot of thought that natural sugars are better for you than refined sugars.

I’m not going to weigh in on whether or not there is any truth to that line of thought, but I will say this: the maple flavor isdelicious. Also, unlike typical candied nuts, these are vegan – a perfect party snack for your animal product-free friends.

These 4-ingredient, 5-minute maple glazed walnuts seriously could not get any easier. Add the nuts, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a pan and heat. Push the nuts around with the spatula until the syrup coats the nuts and there is very little excess left in the bottom of the pan. Transfer to wax paper or parchment paper to dry, and sprinkle with a little salt.

I do find that these get a little stickier than candied nuts made with granulated sugar, so they need a little extra drying time. I usually like to leave mine out overnight to make sure there’s no residual stickiness. If you’re in a time crunch, an hour or two is sufficient, though.

And let’s be honest – there are worse problems than having to eat several pieces of stuck-together maple glazed walnuts at once.

Maple Glazed Walnuts Recipe (3)

How to Use Maple Glazed Walnuts

My favorite method: eat with your fingers. No really, these are the best after-dinner snack, when you want something a little sweet, but not a full-on dessert. So good.

Add them to a cheese or charcuterie board. Fancy cheeses, crackers, fruit, smoked meat, maybe even some of thesetwoingredient sugared cranberries, and a pile of maple glazed walnuts.

Add some on top of this Jewish apple cake, flourless chocolate tahini cake, or cranberry orange streusel muffins. Swap out the regular walnuts for maple glazed walnuts in this rocky road banana bread or add some to this maple glazed banana bread.

Or use it in these two recipes, which specifically call for maple glazed walnuts:

  • Roasted Beet Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Goat Cheese
  • Maple Walnut Bundt Cake
Maple Glazed Walnuts Recipe (4)

Storing Candied Walnuts

Once your walnuts are fully dried and you’ve broken apart any clumps that stick together, you can hang onto them for several weeks. But first, we need to make sure they’re stored properly! Don’t just toss them in a bowl – we want to keep them in the smallest container they fit into, minimizing the amount of air surrounding the walnuts. Why is this important?

Kitchen Chemistry

Walnuts, especially when coated with a maple glaze, can absorb moisture from the surrounding environment. When exposed to air or humidity, the glazed walnuts lose their crispiness and become softer over time as the nuts pull moisture from the air.

To slow down this process, keep the candied walnuts in a small, airtight container. Temperature fluctuations can also impact the texture, as this can lead to condensation within the container. Store them at room temperature to prevent these big temperature changes.

If your walnuts do become slightly soft with time, however, you can re-crisp them! Place the walnuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and briefly bake them at low temperature (250 °F) for 5-10 minutes removes excess moisture and restore some of the original crispiness.

Maple Glazed Walnuts Recipe (5)

Tips and Tricks for the Best Maple Glazed Walnuts

  1. Select Fresh Walnuts: Choose fresh, high-quality walnuts for the best flavor and texture. Ensure they are not rancid or stale.
  2. Use Real Maple Syrup: Opt for pure maple syrup instead of artificial or imitation syrups for a more authentic and flavorful glaze.
  3. Low Heat Cooking: When preparing the glaze, use low heat to avoid burning the maple syrup. Stir constantly and cook until it thickens slightly, giving a glossy texture.
  4. Cool on Parchment Paper: After coating the walnuts, spread them out on parchment paper to cool. This prevents sticking and helps to maintain a nice texture.
  5. Store Properly: Keep the maple glazed walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature. If they soften over time, you can re-crisp them in the oven for a few minutes.
  6. Experiment with Spices: Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the maple glaze for an extra layer of flavor and depth.

More Easy Dessert Garnish Recipes:

  • Homemade Raspberry Curd
  • Homemade Lemon Curd
  • Blueberry Cardamom Curd
  • Easy Salted Caramel Sauce
  • Two Ingredient Sugared Cranberries
Maple Glazed Walnuts Recipe (6)

Yield: 2 cups

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Cooling Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Perfect for a snack, topping a salad, or embellishing a dessert, these 5 minute, 4 ingredient maple glazed walnuts are easy and delicious for fall – or year round!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups walnuts, halved or chopped
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat a dry skillet over medium-low heat.Add the walnuts, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.Cook, stirring frequently, until syrup begins to caramelize and coats the nuts, about 5 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle with salt, stir, and spread on parchment paper to cool.

Notes

Maple glazed walnuts will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. If the walnuts lose their crunch, reheat them on a parchment-lined sheet pan in a 250°F oven for 5-10 minutes.

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Maple Glazed Walnuts Recipe (9)

posted in Appetizers, Candy, Desserts, Fall, Gluten Free, No Bake Desserts, Recipes, Sides, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Maple Glazed Walnuts Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are honey glazed walnuts good for you? ›

Honey Glazed Walnuts are the perfect healthy snack or crunchy topping. These nuts are made with pure honey, ghee, vanilla, and warming cinnamon for an extra touch of flavor. Not only are they delicious, they are also Paleo-friendly and refined sugar free.

How many calories are in maple glazed walnuts? ›

¼ cup of maple glazed walnuts (Diamond) contains 140 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 33% carbs, 62% fat, and 5% protein. This has a relatively high calorie density, with 500 Calories per 100g.

What tastes good with walnuts? ›

Although people enjoy a mix of sweet and savory flavors with walnuts, a sweet combination is most liked by all: (1) Dark Chocolate, (2) Sesame Cayenne, (3) Vanilla, (4) Sea Salt Caramel, (5) Coffee.

Why do you have to eat walnuts before bed? ›

While you could eat walnuts any time of the day, bedtime is a great time to eat walnuts because they have numerous compounds that are tied to healthy sleep patterns. They're a good source of tryptophan, an amino acid that your body uses to produce serotonin and melatonin – both involved in regulating sleep.

Why should you soak walnuts before eating? ›

Shruti Bharadwaj, Senior Clinical Dietician, Narayana Hrudayalaya says soaking walnuts helps improve their digestibility and also remove phytic acid and tannin. "Soaking can also help prevent indigestion as it helps reduce gas forming compounds. It also reduces polyphenols and increase nutrient availability.

How many carbs are in glazed walnuts? ›

Kettle Glazed Walnuts
Amount Per Serving
Total Carbohydrate: 14g5%
Dietary Fiber: 1g5%
Sugars: 11g
Added Sugars: 11g21%
14 more rows

Do walnuts have more calories than pecans? ›

A one-ounce serving of walnuts contains 185 calories, whereas the same size serving of pecans contains 196. With just nine calories in it, pecans come out as the more calorific nut.

How many walnut halves in 100 calories? ›

What 100 Calories of Nuts Looks Like
Type of Nut100 caloriesCalories in a 1-ounce serving
Almonds14–15 nuts163
Walnuts8–9 halves185
Cashews10–11 nuts157
Pistachios29 nuts159
4 more rows
Oct 23, 2017

Why do I feel good after eating walnuts? ›

Walnuts are a great source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for reducing inflammation. In fact, it is the only nut significantly high in these omega-3 fatty acids. Their anti-inflammatory compounds may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Does toasting walnuts make them taste better? ›

Toasting nuts releases their natural oils, upping that nutty flavor you're looking for while crisping their texture and deepening the color.

Is it OK to eat almonds and walnuts together? ›

Yes, you can eat soaked raisins, almonds, and walnuts together on an empty stomach. This combination provides a mix of nutrients, including fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants. It can be a nutritious and satisfying option for a morning snack or as part of a balanced breakfast.

Why put walnuts in boiling water? ›

Place walnuts in boiling water for five minutes to remove bitter taste. Remove from water and drain, then run cold water over the walnuts.

How many walnuts to eat per day? ›

How many walnuts should you eat in a day? A 2021 article on the effect of walnut consumption found that consuming 30–60 grams of walnuts daily is beneficial for heart health. 30–60 grams is the same as 1–2 ounces or a 1/4–1/2 cup of walnuts.

Why do you toast walnuts before baking? ›

Toasting nuts brings out their earthiness and minimizes any bitterness found in raw nuts. In just a few minutes, nuts will go from pale, somewhat waxy, and mild in flavor and smell, to golden brown, rich-tasting, and with an intensity and delicious aroma that adds a whole new level of flavor to any dish.

Are honey glazed nuts healthy? ›

So in short, yes they are healthy, but yes they also contain carbohydrates. It all comes down to the amount you take, versus your daily output. Before the 1980s, nuts were glazed (added honey) before they are being roasted, resulting in a sticky, Only in 1987, honey roasted nuts were invented in USA.

What happens in the body when we mixed honey and walnuts? ›

We know about the health benefits of raw honey and the benefits of walnuts. Put the two together and you have a power punching healthy combo to help combat insomnia, cognitive function, lower cholesterol, boost immunity, the list goes on.

What is the healthiest type of walnut? ›

Black walnuts contain less sugar and carbohydrates while providing higher amounts of essential nutrients such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and iron.

References

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