Air-Fryer Candied Walnuts: A Quick, Sweet Treat

Candied walnuts are a delicious snack that can be made quickly and easily in an air fryer. They are perfect for those who crave something sweet and salty, and can be used as a topping for ice cream or yogurt, or as an addition to a salad. They also make a great gift for friends and family. In this article, we will guide you through the simple steps to make candied walnuts in an air fryer, as well as provide some tips and tricks to ensure your walnuts turn out perfectly.

Choosing your ingredients

The ingredients you choose for your candied walnuts will depend on your taste preferences and dietary requirements. Here are some considerations for choosing the best ingredients for your air-fried candied walnuts:

Walnuts: Select plain, uncooked, and unsalted walnuts to ensure consistent seasoning and cooking. Aim for the freshest walnuts available, as older walnuts may have a more bitter flavour. If desired, you can soak the walnuts overnight before air frying to enhance their nutritional profile.

Sweetener: You can use maple syrup, honey, or sugar (white, brown, or a combination) as your sweetener. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is less processed than white sugar or corn syrup, making it a healthier option. Honey is another natural sweetener but may not be suitable for vegans.

Flavour Enhancers: Adding a small amount of vanilla extract enhances the flavour of the walnuts. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results. Ground cinnamon is also a popular addition, providing a subtle spicy kick. You can adjust the amount of cinnamon to your taste preferences.

Fat: Butter or oil is used to help the other ingredients stick to the walnuts and enhance the flavour. If using butter, opt for unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the dish. You can also use coconut oil, which may blend better with the nutty flavours.

Salt: A pinch of salt brings out the flavours of the candied walnuts and balances the sweetness. Try using Himalayan pink salt, which contains more minerals than regular sea salt.

Spices: Experiment with additional spices like ground nutmeg, ground ginger, or chilli powder to give your candied walnuts a unique flavour profile.

Preparing the walnuts

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need walnuts, of course, as well as some flavourings and coatings. The exact quantities and additional ingredients may vary depending on the specific recipe you are following, but typically, you will need butter, sugar (both granulated and brown sugar), cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Some recipes also call for a pinch of salt, nutmeg, or other spices to enhance the flavour.

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to start preparing the walnuts. Begin by preheating your air fryer to the temperature specified in your recipe, typically around 200°F or 350°F. While the air fryer is heating up, you can prepare the walnuts themselves.

Take a medium-sized bowl and add your walnuts. Pour the melted butter and vanilla extract over the walnuts, stirring well to ensure that each walnut is coated evenly. This step is important as it helps the other ingredients adhere to the walnuts.

Next, it's time to add the sweet and spicy coating. To the bowl of walnuts, add the sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and any other spices you are using. Give the walnuts a good toss or stir to ensure they are evenly coated with the mixture. You want each walnut to be well covered so that they get that delicious candied coating.

At this point, your air fryer should be preheated, so it's time to transfer the walnuts. Carefully place the coated walnuts into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. It's important not to overcrowd the air fryer, as this can cause the walnuts to steam instead of roasting, resulting in a less crispy texture. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the walnuts in batches.

Now, you're ready to air fry your walnuts! Place the basket in the air fryer and cook at the specified temperature for around 8-10 minutes. To ensure even cooking, it's a good idea to shake or stir the walnuts halfway through the cooking process. This will help them cook evenly on all sides and prevent them from sticking together.

Once the walnuts are done, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a plate lined with parchment paper. Spread them out into a single layer and let them cool completely. This step is crucial, as it allows the candied coating to harden and crisp up.

Once the walnuts are cooled, you can store them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for about a week at room temperature, but you can also freeze them for longer-term storage.

And that's it! You've successfully prepared and cooked candied walnuts in your air fryer. They are now ready to be enjoyed as a sweet and crunchy snack, or used as a topping for desserts, salads, or even ice cream.

Air-frying the walnuts

While the air fryer is heating up, prepare the walnuts by placing them in a medium bowl and coating them with melted butter and vanilla extract. Stir the walnuts until they are fully coated. Then, add in the cinnamon, sugar, and salt, and toss the walnuts until they are evenly covered.

Next, transfer the walnuts to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spread out in a single layer. Air fry at 200°F for 8-10 minutes, stirring or shaking the basket halfway through.

Once they are done, remove the walnuts from the air fryer and place them on a lined baking sheet or plate to cool. It is important to let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

This recipe is a quick and easy way to make candied walnuts, and the results are delicious! The walnuts have a perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness, making them a great snack or addition to salads or desserts.

Storing the walnuts

Once your candied walnuts have cooled completely, it's time to store them in an airtight container. You can use a glass canning jar, a Ziploc bag, a plastic bowl with a lid, or a mason jar. If you don't have any of these, any airtight container will do.

If stored at room temperature, your candied walnuts should stay crunchy for at least a week, possibly even up to two weeks. However, if it's humid where you live, be aware that the moisture will cause the walnuts to become sticky. In that case, it's best to store them in the fridge, where they can last for about a month.

If you want to keep your candied walnuts for even longer, you can store them in the freezer for up to two or three months.

If your walnuts start to go soft, you can always put them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up again.

Serving suggestions

Candied walnuts are a versatile snack and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

• As a snack at a party or keep a jar in your kitchen for whenever you feel peckish.
• Use them as a crunchy topping for salads.
• Chop them up and sprinkle on top of yoghurt, ice cream, oatmeal, porridge or cereal.
• Mix them into granola for a special breakfast treat.
• Serve with coffee and homemade vegan truffles at the end of a dinner party.
• Put some into a mason jar, tie with a ribbon, and gift them to friends and family.
• Sprinkle on top of carrot cake or cookies.
• Add them to a bowl of homemade ice cream.
• Pack them in small bags for single-serving snacks.
• Add them to rice pilaf for a fun twist and added texture.
• Put them on top of cookies, or cookie bars.

Frequently asked questions