These Maple Spiced Walnuts are coated in a sweet and spicy glaze and then perfectly roasted until golden brown. Ready in less than 30 minutes, you'll find these spiced walnuts are quick and easy to make and are sure to become a favorite!
Warning: These sweet and savory maple-glazed walnuts are addictive! They are crunchy and slightly sweet from the maple syrup with just the right amount of spice. They are impossible to resist!
These nuts make a great snack food and are perfect for game nights, yet sophisticated enough for cocktail evenings. They're delicious as a salad topping and also make a great gift for the holidays, simply place them in a glass jar with a pretty bow to create a lovely host or hostess gift.
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How to Make Them
This gluten-free candied walnuts recipe is incredibly easy to make and only takes a few minutes of preparation time. Instead of using sugar, these walnuts are lightly coated with pure maple syrup and a combination of warm spices.
The spice mixture of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg makes these walnuts perfect for fall and the holiday season. As they roast in the oven, the delicious aroma of maple and spices will fill your home and make it feel so cozy and inviting!
Here's an overview of the ingredients and steps for making these maple walnuts. For the full recipe with ingredient amounts and detailed steps, please see the recipe card at the end of the post.
These spiced maple glazed walnuts are so good and versatile that you may want to double the recipe to ensure you have enough to go around.
Ingredients Overview
- Walnuts: You'll need raw walnuts for this recipe. You can also make this recipe with raw pecans, almonds, cashews or a combination of these nuts.
- Pure maple syrup
- Light olive oil
- Ground cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg
- Salt and cayenne pepper
Steps Overview
- In a bowl, combine the maple syrup, oil, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt and cayenne and whisk the spice mixture together.
- Add the walnuts to the bowl and toss well to coat the walnuts with the syrupy spice mixture.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the walnuts onto the baking sheet in one even single layer. Bake walnuts stirring halfway through the total time.
- Remove the golden brown walnuts from the oven and let cool completely on the baking tray.
Serving Suggestions
These sweet and spicy walnuts are incredibly versatile. They make an excellent addition to cheese or charcuterie boards. They are perfect as a party appetizer and pair beautifully with cocktails. They add flavor and crunch when sprinkled over salads, yogurt or desserts like a bowl of ice cream.
Storage Instructions
To keep the nuts crunchy, store them in mason jars or airtight containers and place in a cool and dry place.
Enjoy!
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Have you made this recipe? Let us know how it turned out! Leave a star rating and a comment below, we'd love to hear from you.
Maple Spiced Walnuts
Ingredients
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon light olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper If you like heat, increase the cayenne to ¼ teaspoon.
- 2 cups walnuts
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the maple syrup, oil, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt and cayenne. Whisk together and add the walnuts, toss to coat walnuts well with the syrupy spice mixture.
- Spread walnuts onto the baking sheet in one even single layer.
- Bake in oven for 10 minutes, then stir and bake for approximately 10 minutes more or until walnuts are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on baking sheet.
- Serve or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- You can swap the walnuts for pecans, almonds, cashews or a mix.
- Walnut haves work best for presentation, but a mix of walnut halves and pieces also works.
- Consider increasing the cayenne to ¼ teaspoon or more if you like things extra spicy!
- Since maple syrup can make the nuts stick together, make sure to spread the walnuts out on the baking sheet and let them cool completely before storing.
- Store the spiced walnuts in a mason jar and keep them in a cool, dry space for up to two weeks.
- Nutritional values are approximate.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in October 2016. Pictures have been redone but the recipe remains unchanged.
Ruslan says
Hello Fida,
These spiced walnuts taste wonderful. I don't cook at all really, but cinnamon and cayenne was a thrill to see in the ingredients as I love both.
I do have one suggestion. My first couple batches I let the syrup solidify after taking them out of the oven the second time before transferring to a container. The nuts stick together in the layer of syrup at the bottom of the pan so it's a hassle to separate and it looks sloppy in the end. I would share pictures if I could upload them.
In my 3rd batch, I discovered if I mix for maybe 5 minutes after finishing baking and then spreading them out again across the pan, each walnut is evenly coated in syrup and it's already somewhat solidified so the coating won't droop off and they don't stick together because they've been separated (although I haven't tested what would happen if I kept them bunched up after mixing). When they fully cool they are no hassle to transfer into a container and look nicer in my opinion. They also have a matte finish compared to my first attempts.
Thanks for sharing this marvelous recipe. I made some for a church youth potluck and my friend for his birthday. I plan to make more in the future.
Respectfully,
Ruslan
Fida | Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Hello Ruslan, thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience with the recipe!
Kylie says
Highly addictive and so easy! Will definitely make again
Fida | Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you! So happy to hear this 🙂
Deborah says
I just made them. Should they be completely dry?
Fida | Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
They may come out just a bit sticky but once you let them cool for about 10 minutes they should be dry to the touch.
Kitty says
If I make them ahead of a holiday, how long will they last in an air tight container?
Fida | Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Hello, they should be fine for at least a month. Hope you enjoy them!
Marti says
I can’t wait to make these but I can’t find just walnut halves. Only halves and pieces. Can I use the pieces, too? I have looked everywhere. Thanks.
Fida | Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Hello Marti. Yes, you can use the pieces as well. I hope you'll enjoy them!
Ava says
Easy and delicious! Keep at eye towards the end as mine got a little dark, but they're GOOOOOOD.
Fida | Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks for letting me know how these maple walnuts went for you Ava! This is a good reminder to check on things a couple of minutes before since oven temperatures vary.
Brenda says
Couldn’t find the recipe itself
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Hello Brenda, so sorry about that I'm not sure what happened, but it's there now. Thanks for letting me know it was missing!
cg says
I have made these nuts (just as detailed in the recipe) several times, and everyone loves them! This week, I'm going to make a few batches to give as gifts . . . thank you!
ps - they're really good crumbled over vanilla ice cream
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
That’s wonderful, thanks for letting me know! And I love that you crumble them over vanilla ice cream, sounds delicious!
dpranita583 says
I think to make this recipe is very hard but you have made it in a easy way.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
I'm glad you think so. Thank you!
nancyc says
Yum! These walnuts sound so good! What a great snack for fall!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks Nancy, I've already made a few batches and planning on more!
C.M. says
I love spiced nuts, can't wait to give these a try.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you, hope you enjoy them!
Louise Crosby says
These sure look good, Fida. They would make a great Christmas gift. And I love your pictures!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank so much Louise, I loved them so much I'm planning on making some to give away as gifts.
apuginthekitchen says
Oh wow, those nuts sound so good. I love sweet and spicy nuts what a great recipe perfect for the holidays,
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you, the fact that they're sweet and spicy makes them so addictive!