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

Jump to Recipe

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.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Did you make this recipe?

Don't forget to leave a rating or a comment and share your recipe photos on Instagram - tag @bunsenburnerbakery!

Maple Glazed Walnuts Recipe (9)

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

5 Comments »

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 to put walnuts in? ›

10 Simple Ways to Use Walnuts
  1. Plus-Up Cereal or Oatmeal. ...
  2. Make a DIY Trail Mix. ...
  3. Pair with Fruit, Cheese, and Crackers. ...
  4. Swap-in on Salads. ...
  5. Add to Sandwiches and Wraps. ...
  6. Make-Ahead Walnut Pesto. ...
  7. Just Eat a Handful Plain. ...
  8. Top Your Pizza, Pasta, or Roasted Veggies.
Sep 15, 2022

Is there a downside to eating walnuts? ›

Excessive consumption of walnuts may cause diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain or kidney stones. Due to the phytic acid they contain, too many walnuts may also inhibit the absorption of dietary iron, calcium and zinc. Recommendation: One ounce (10-14) English walnut halves per day.

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.

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? ›

There's little difference between nuts and walnuts in the nutrients they provide, but pecans have slightly fewer calories and offer more fiber than walnuts.

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

What is the healthiest way to eat walnuts? ›

What are the best ways to eat walnuts? To maximize the health benefits, look for raw, unsalted walnuts. You can eat them alone as a snack or add them to your oatmeal in the morning. While walnuts have plenty of health benefits, it's still important to not overeat.

Why should you soak walnuts before eating? ›

Phytic acid binds to minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, inhibiting their absorption in the body. Soaking nuts, including walnuts, in water for several hours or overnight is believed to reduce the levels of enzyme inhibitors and phytic acid, making them easier to digest.

What is the best combination with walnuts? ›

Top 5 Pairings

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.

Are honey glazed nuts healthy? ›

Almost all the protein content of honey-roasted nuts surpasses most other sweet treats, making them one of the healthier options.

How many walnuts should you eat in a day? ›

An ounce (30 grams) of walnuts a day has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. The recommended serving size is a small handful or 1½ ounces (45 grams) a day. Walnuts make an excellent nutrient-dense snack, and you can easily carry them wherever you go.

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 are the benefits of dipped walnuts? ›

  • Jun 4, 2024. 10 benefits of eating 1 soaked walnut everyday. ...
  • ​​Benefits of walnuts​ Walnuts are a powerhouse of nutrients. ...
  • ​​Heart health​ ...
  • ​​Brain function​ ...
  • ​​Anti-inflammatory properties​ ...
  • ​​Weight management​ ...
  • ​​Improved digestion​ ...
  • ​​Improved digestion​
Jun 4, 2024

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 6164

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.