Vanilla Bean Candied Walnuts
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These vanilla bean candied walnuts are completely and totally irresistible. They’re perfect on salads!
These walnuts need to come with a huge warning label:
ADDICTING.
SEVERELY ADDICTING.
DON’T LEAVE OUT IN PLAIN SIGHT.
WARNING: IMPOSSIBLE TO EAT JUST ONE.
Seriously. Vanilla and walnuts are made for each other. Match made in food heaven.
These are amazing on salads, would be great on ice cream or frozen yogurt (duh) and obviously are perfect on their own. By the handful. These are hide-in-the-back-of-the-cupboard addicting.
Long story short, you need these in your life. I guess the story wasn’t really that long. I’m running on about 3 hours of sleep as I write this, people. Don’t expect genius. I’ll be happy if there are no typos. Actually, I’ll be happy if the two-year-old stays asleep and I stay awake long enough to finish typing this.
With only 3 ingredients, these delectable walnuts are simple to make. Plus, walnuts are good for you because they are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
These vanilla bean candied walnuts are perfect on salads. You know, if you have any left after eating them by the handful! And if you throw them on a salad, maybe you’ll feel better about the massive quantities you are consuming. Right? Right? Okay maybe. Maybe not.
They’d also make a great appetizer. I’m envisioning a group of friends playing cards, with a few bowls of candied walnuts on the table. Or put some on your charcuterie board for a special treat with cheeses and fruits.
Or….if you’re willing to share, these vanilla bean candied walnuts would make a great gift (and so would the other nut recipes listed below). Just put them in a jar and tie a pretty ribbon around the top! A great hostess or teacher gift.
More great nut recipes:
If you’re looking for more recipes like these vanilla bean candied walnuts, be sure to try:
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ cups raw walnut halves and/or pieces
- the seeds scraped from one whole vanilla bean
Instructions
- Toast walnuts in a dry frying pan over medium heat stirring frequently, about 3-5 minutes or until fragrant. Pour onto plate to cool. Also prepare a large rimmed baking sheet with a Silpat mat or parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and vanilla bean seeds. Cook on medium until sugar melts and starts to turn the color of amber. Remove from heat, add walnuts and stir to coat. Work quickly.
- Pour walnuts out onto prepared lined baking sheet and separate walnuts with two forks, working quickly. If you don’t get them all separated, it’s no biggie, you can cut or crack them apart once they cool.
- Cool completely before storing in an airtight container. If you don’t eat them all first.
Notes
- Serving size: 1/4 cup.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Natasha says
Vanilla beans are the best ever. I have a whole mess of pecans and imagine this would be delicious with them as well!!
Rachel Gurk says
Pecans would be great!
Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
Wow, these look amazing! Love the simple list of ingredients too.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
I love anything with vanilla in it. These look amazing! Hope the baby sleeps better for you tonight!
Bree {Skinny Mommy} says
I am a complete sucker for candied nuts. These ones look great-I love anything vanilla flavored.
sarah k @ the pajama chef says
lately i’ve been debating whether the next big bag of nuts that i purchase from sam’s club will be pecans or walnuts (because i don’t have room for both in my freezer). walnuts it is!!
Rachel @ The Pescetarian and the Pig says
I love how simple these are! And wow, I can bet they are amazing. I once had a “vanilla walnut” scented candle in my room and I swear I was tempted to eat it every day. I LOVE the versatility of nuts, even in their raw form I’m addicted, so I can only imagine how ravenous I’d be with a bag of these!
megan @ whatmegansmaking says
Great idea – I never thought of making candied walnuts before. But I’m up for vanilla flavored anything :)
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
YES! Short ingredient list including nuts and sugar, heck yes!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
These look so good! What a great snack!
katie says
Ummm this sounds awesome! Great “healthy” snack!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
I would love to have these around to snack on!
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats says
Ooh what a great snack! Im trying to teach myself to like nuts more..much healthier than snacking on chips! :P Thanks!
Mackenzie {SusieFreakingHomemaker} says
Vanilla bean anything and I’m sold. Love these!!
Aggie says
I have a hard time resisting any type of “spiced” nut! These sound amazing!! Vanilla bean & walnuts?? Yum!
Kathryn says
What a great idea – I love the idea of the sweetness of the vanilla with the bitterness of the walnuts. I can imagine so many awesome uses for these!