Honey Glazed Walnuts Recipe

If you like to munch on snacks throughout the day, you’ll have to trust me when I say these honey glazed walnuts are the best snacks to have around! They’re light, crisp, and extra crunchy. You can enjoy them as is or put them on top of yogurt, in a shake, or in savory dishes like my Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe!

The secret to making them extra light and crisp is to boil them for 5 minutes. This will also help remove the bitterness that’s naturally found in raw walnuts.

I like to make a big batch of these because they’re usually gone quickly and I guarantee yours will too!

What are walnuts?

Walnuts are the fruits of walnut trees, and their tough and rounded shells distinguish them from other nut varieties. Once opened, their meats appear bumpy – which kind of reminds me of a miniature human brain! Raw walnuts have a bitter taste, but when prepared correctly they improve into a combination of sweet and earthy flavors.

They can be eaten alone but you can also add them to a variety of dishes like salads, cakes, bread, smoothies, or pasta because of their versatile flavor.

It’s believed that walnuts are one of the oldest foods in the world since they date back to 8,000 years ago! Now, they’re still considered one of the top nut varieties that are the most consumed in the world.

Why you’ll love this recipe

If you have a sweet tooth, I’m sure sugar-coated nuts may have come across your radar for snacks. But with this recipe, you won’t ever have to go out to the store to replenish your stash again. Apart from the walnuts, the rest of the ingredients may already be in your pantry so you can whip this recipe up any time you want!

Boiling the walnuts in honey will ensure their sweetness will seep through the surface for an intense flavor in every bite. Plus, it will also give them an extra layer of coating, making it extra crunchy! I highly recommend sprinkling some sesame seeds and salt to break the monotony of saccharinity. I promise you’ll be digging through them one handful at a time!

How do I prepare Honey Glazed Walnuts?

Making honey-glazed walnuts may take a bit of time and effort, but all of the work you put into it will be worth it once you take a bite out of these delightful snacks!

Step 1: Boil the walnuts

Bring a pot of water to boil over medium-high heat. Add the walnuts and let them boil for 5 minutes. Next, strain and rinse them with cold water twice to remove some bitterness and stop the heat from overcooking them. Drain them well and set them aside.

Step 2: Sugarcoat the walnuts

In a pot or deep pan, add the walnuts and sugar. Mix them well to make sure they’re evenly coated. Let the walnuts cook until a thick shiny coating of sugar starts to form. By then, there should be very little liquid left in the pot.

Remove the walnuts from the heat and place them on a lined sheet pan to cool. Make sure to spread the walnuts so they don’t end up sticking to each other.

Step 3: Fry the walnuts

In a deep pot, preheat the frying oil to 350°F (176°C). Once the oil is hot enough, fry the walnuts for 3-4 minutes or until they’re golden brown. Remove them from the heat and strain them on a fine mesh sieve to drain any excess oil.

Step 4: Glaze the walnuts

Heat the water and honey in a small pot on medium-low heat. Once the mixture starts to boil, add the walnuts and stir for 1-2 minutes or until they’re evenly coated. Then, sprinkle some sesame seeds on top and transfer them to a lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Finishing touches

To balance out their sweetness, sprinkle a bit of flakey salt on top of the walnuts and let them cool completely before enjoying them.

Cooking Tips for Honey Glazed Walnuts

Working with sugar can be a little tricky if you don’t know the right techniques, but with these tricks, you can create your own successful batch every time:

• Make sure to use a silicone or wooden spatula when mixing the walnuts to prevent them from sticking to the spatula’s surface.

• Don’t forget to line your baking sheet with wax paper or a silicone baking mat. Candied walnuts have the tendency to harden and stick to the surface when they’re cooling down.

• When sugarcoating the walnuts, be careful not to put the heat on too high, or else the sugar will start to burn before it forms that smooth and thick coat.

Ingredient substitutions

Walnuts: While I think walnuts are the best type of nut to use for this recipe, you can substitute them with pecans, pine nuts, almonds, cashews, or even peanuts. 

Honey: Honey can give the walnuts a more complex flavor compared to using plain sugar, but molasses, maple syrup, or coconut sugar would work too. 

Sesame seeds: Sesame seeds give the walnuts an extra layer of flavor that balances out the sweetness so a good substitute would be poppy seeds. They also have similar nutty flavors and are aesthetically pleasing too.

Flakey salt: Flakey salt will stick better to walnuts because of their flat crystal structure, but you can substitute them with kosher salt or regular table salt.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store Honey Glazed Walnuts?

Make sure the walnuts are completely cool before you transfer them to a container to prevent the sugar from melting. They will stick to each other in the container, but you’ll be able to easily break them apart. 

The candied walnuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay fresh for up to a month. If you live in a hot and humid climate, the sugar may begin to melt so I recommend storing the walnuts in the refrigerator instead. 

Where to buy walnuts?

You can easily buy raw walnuts at any grocery or health food store. You can also get them online, but make sure you buy them from a reputable source. To know if you’re getting a fresh batch always make it a habit to check their expiration date. 

Walnuts that appear plump are a good sign, but avoid ones that look discolored or rubbery. I prefer to get halved walnuts for this recipe, but if they’re not available whole and unshelled ones will also do.

Once you’ve acquired a fresh bag of walnuts, make sure to store them in an airtight container in a cool and dry place or store them in the fridge, where they can last for up to 3 months.

Can I soak the walnuts instead of boiling them?

Yes, you can soak unshelled walnuts in water overnight instead of boiling them. But I find that boiling is as effective and will take you less time. The reason you want to soak or boil the walnuts before cooking is to remove any accumulated dust and tannins, which give them a bitter flavor whenever you bite into them. Once all of the tannins are released, the walnuts will appear softer and taste more buttery.

What other dishes can you make with Honey Glazed Walnuts?

Looking for recipes you can add these delectable honey-glazed walnuts? Check my recipes out below!

1. Shrimp – if there’s one dish I recommend enjoying with these honey-glazed walnuts, it’s my Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe! They’re my all-time favorite classic combo. 

2. Salad – adding a handful of these walnuts to your salad will add texture, crunch, and a whole lotta flavor! If you’re looking for a delicious salad dressing, check out my Carrot Ginger Miso Salad Dressing recipe!

3. Smoothies or shakes – for a crunchy twist on a refreshing drink, you can crush the walnuts and sprinkle them on top of your favorite smoothies. You can even try them with my Misugaru Shake recipe or Mango Pineapple Spinach Smoothie!

4. Ice cream – if you have a sweet tooth, I definitely recommend sprinkling some walnuts on top of my Hong Kong Egg Waffle with Ice Cream recipe.

5. Cookies – these walnuts are a great substitute for any cookie recipe that calls for nuts. In my French Tuile Cookies recipe, you can switch the pecans with these honey-glazed walnuts!

These walnuts take a little extra time to make but once you’re done, they’ll be the best honey-glazed walnuts you’ve ever had! They’re light, airy and so addicting!

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