Caramelizing may sound scary, but it’s pretty darn easy, and once you get the technique down, you can caramelize any nut to your heart’s content. They’re great on salads, on top of desserts, or just to snack on!
There are several different methods of caramelizing nuts, but this is my favorite because I think it’s the easiest. You make sort of a caramel coating and toast the nuts in it as it cooks as opposed to just melting plain sugar which can sometimes end in disaster.
In these pictures I’m using macadamia nuts, for the Steak and Mango Salad, but you could do pecans, walnuts, whatever. And let me just say that these are g o o d. I made these ones for my dinner, and instead I ate the entire pan plain!
Caramelized Nuts
recipe by Our Best Bites
2 T brown sugar
1/2 T light corn syrup
1/2 T butter
1/2 C nuts
Optional: 1/8 tsp cinnamon (SO good)
Place brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter (and cinnamon if you’re using) in a non-stick skillet on the stove top. Set heat to medium or medium-high. Stir the mixture as it comes together until it bubbles like this:
Continue cooking for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly until nuts turn golden brown in color and smell toasted.
OR, after nuts are coated in sugar mixture, transfer from skillet to a parchment lined baking sheet and place in a 400 degree oven. Stir occasionally (every 1-2 minutes) until golden brown and toasted. It happens quick, so keep an eye on them!
Transfer to foil (lightly sprayed with non-stick spray) or parchment and cool completely.
Break them apart with your fingers and enjoy!
I tried to do the candied nuts and added maple syrup to the water thinking I was adding flavor. It didn’t boil down to crystalize – it just got soupy. I’m not a cook, but …what happened? 🙁
The syrup interfered with the chemical process. You don’t want to mess with sugar, it’s very touchy!