This easy, four-ingredient hot candied walnuts recipe delivers a classic one-two flavor punch. It leads with the sweet and follows through with the heat.
My mind seems to be on random setting. This title is making me think of Blondie because Debbie Harry was hot and wore Candies. I loved Blondie so hard. All the kids in my neighborhood did. We’d sit around in our short shorts – even the boys – because SEVENTIES! Anyway, we’d be on our suburban front lawns, poring over the album cover. Memorizing every detail. We’d spend hours with the lyrics, desperate to figure out what Rapture was all about. We were unsuccessful. But it didn’t matter. Because Debbie Harry was on fire. That hair. Those cheekbones. We all either wanted her or wanted to be her. She kicked butt.
So do these walnuts.
These are kinda Debbie Harry in walnut form.
They croon to you sweetly in the dulcet tones of honey and then grab you by the collar and scream punky paprika epithets in your face. In the best possible way.
These walnuts take 10 minutes to make and you could even shave time off of that by drizzling the butter/honey/paprika mixture onto the walnuts. I took a more exacting route and brushed it on each individual nut. I’m not sure it made a difference.
They came out of the oven looking like this:
That brittle on the parchment will attach itself to the walnuts. It adds a nice chewy texture.
While they cooled, I made a salad. Kale, red onion, pear and hot candied walnuts.
By this time I was so hungry I added 3 ounces of tuna, threw some olive oil and rice vinegar on it and enjoyed a delicious lunch. *A little advice* chop that kale up really well. I love kale but omg I would’ve been chewing for days if I hadn’t chopped it so small.
I think these would be a very nice hostess gift as well. Did I mention you’re all invited over for dinner? 🙂
- 1 Tbs unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 Tbs raw honey
- a scant 1/4 tsp smoked spanish paprika
- 1 cup raw walnut halves and pieces
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Preheat oven to 375° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You'll thank me at clean up time.
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In a small saucepan, melt butter and honey over very low flame. When that's completely melted add paprika. Stir. Remove from heat.
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Spread walnuts out in a single layer on the baking sheet.
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Brush walnuts with the honey mixture (or drizzle.)
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Roast at 375° for 5 to 10 minutes, until they're just brown.
Jane @ Littlesugarsnaps says
August 4, 2015 at 11:46 amI love candied nuts, but having done the obvious cinnamon variety several times, I’m in need of a change. Adding them to a salad is a great idea too. Just off to knock up a batch….
Christine says
August 4, 2015 at 3:01 pmThey are great to have around. Enjoy!
Take Two Tapas says
August 3, 2015 at 11:01 amThese look divine! I can’t wait to add them to salads and on top of my panna cotta! Been missing you:)
Christine says
August 3, 2015 at 3:09 pmyou too! So nice to have a fun party with some great folks to come home to.
itsswayam says
August 2, 2015 at 11:03 amSo good Christine!! I am going to name you as the snack queen… 😛
Christine says
August 3, 2015 at 7:18 amI humbly accept and will do my utmost to maintain my worthiness of such an illustrious title. xo
itsswayam says
August 3, 2015 at 10:22 amI have no doubt darling… u will exceed!!
Corina says
August 1, 2015 at 5:03 pmCandied nuts is something that is definitely going to go on my to-make list now!
Christine says
August 3, 2015 at 7:16 amGreat, Corina. Let me know if you try them!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
August 1, 2015 at 9:40 amI love candied nuts, especially with a kick!
Christine says
August 3, 2015 at 7:14 amI couldn’t agree more! Make it a smokey kick and I’m hopeless to resist.
Greenshoots Photography says
April 4, 2015 at 12:16 pmWow sounds brilliant. I have just been experimenting with walnuts caramelized in maple syrup and served with stilton and endive but your walnuts sound as if they would work better! Will be sure to give them a try. By the way who is Blondie – seriously, I know the name but that’s as far as it goes!
Christine says
April 4, 2015 at 1:12 pmNo! Yours sound delicious!!! I am going to try that. Blondie is a rock band from the 70s/80s. Their lead singer was Debbie Harry.
kirstenmadaus says
April 3, 2015 at 11:33 amChristine,
What a terrific combination of flavors. These nuts look awesome–and I love the Blondie reference!
Christine says
April 3, 2015 at 1:37 pmThanks Kirsten. I just thought of another way they’d be delicious. On top of vanilla ice cream!
dstein4000 says
April 3, 2015 at 9:37 amYour photos are gorgeous and the comparison to Debbie completely makes sense. You may have heard this story before but I’ll tell it anyway. When I was selling my co-op in London Terrace in Chelsea I came home after a hard day at work at RTC. I took the elevator up and turned the corner in the hall and there in front of my door was my agent talking with Debbie Harry! She has just looked at my apartment. I walked over to say hi and she completely ignored me. I really didn’t mind because she was Blondie and completely earned that right and did kick butt. Needless to say she didn’t make an offer.
Christine says
April 3, 2015 at 1:36 pmWoah, David, I didn’t know that story. A true brush with greatness! She would have acknowledged you if you’d had these nuts with you 😉