Toffee Walnuts Recipe
Introduction
These toffee walnuts are a deliciously sweet and crunchy snack that’s perfect for adding a touch of indulgence to your day. With a hint of cinnamon and cayenne for warmth and spice, they make a fantastic topping for salads, desserts, or just a tasty treat on their own.
Ingredients
- 3 cups walnut halves (or any other nut you enjoy!)
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (or up to 1/2 cup for sweeter nuts)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg white
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract, for cinnamon nuts)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (for a sweet & spicy kick)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and salt. In a large bowl, whisk the egg white and vanilla extract until combined.
- Step 3: Add the walnuts to the egg white mixture and toss until they are evenly coated. Next, add the brown sugar mixture and toss again until the walnuts have an even coating.
- Step 4: Spread the coated walnuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Step 5: Remove from the oven and allow the walnuts to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving. This helps them crisp up perfectly.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder flavor, reduce the cayenne pepper or omit it altogether. You can also substitute pecans or almonds if you prefer.
- Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the brown sugar mixture for extra warmth.
- If you want a stronger cinnamon flavor, use cinnamon extract instead of ground cinnamon.
Storage
Store cooled toffee walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to one month. To re-crisp, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts besides walnuts?
Yes, pecans, almonds, or cashews work well with this recipe and can be swapped in equal amounts.
Why do I need to use egg white?
The egg white acts as a binder to help the sugar and spices stick evenly to the nuts while baking, creating that perfect buttery toffee coating.
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Toffee Walnuts Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 3 cups 1x
Description
These Toffee Walnuts are a deliciously sweet and slightly spicy snack perfect for snacking or topping salads and desserts. Coated with a buttery cinnamon and brown sugar glaze, and baked to a crisp, they offer a wonderful combination of crunchy texture and rich flavor with a hint of cayenne for a sweet and spicy kick.
Ingredients
Walnut Mixture
- 3 cups walnut halves (or any other nut you enjoy!)
- 1 large egg white
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toffee Coating
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (or up to 1/2 cup for sweeter nuts)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract, optional for cinnamon nuts)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a sweet & spicy kick)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Sugar Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, salt, ground cinnamon (if using), and cayenne pepper (if using) until well combined. This mixture will create the toffee coating on the walnuts.
- Coat Walnuts with Egg White: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg white and vanilla extract until just combined. Add the walnut halves and toss them thoroughly to ensure they are evenly coated with the egg white mixture.
- Add Sugar Mixture: Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the coated walnuts and toss again until every walnut is evenly covered with the toffee mixture.
- Bake: Spread the coated walnuts out evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Cool: Once baked, allow the walnuts to cool completely on the baking sheet. This cooling time helps the toffee coating to harden and become delightfully crisp.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar from 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup depending on your preference.
- Use cinnamon extract instead of ground cinnamon for a more intense cinnamon flavor.
- Adding cayenne pepper adds a subtle spicy kick that balances well with the sweetness; omit if you prefer only sweet flavors.
- Store cooled toffee walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks to maintain freshness and crunch.
- Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or cashews for variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: toffee walnuts, sweet and spicy nuts, baked nuts, cinnamon walnuts, spiced nuts, snack recipe
