Candied nuts (ground nuts or peanuts) are a snack we can eat by the handful without realizing that we’ve overindulged. Picture yourself – watching television, reading your favorite spy novel, and the bowl of nuts are within reach – before you know it, the bowl is empty. What a catastrophe! But that’s okay because peanuts are a superfood for your brain. And now you can make your own for the win. Don’t mind the sugar because everything in moderation is good, right? 😉
Recipe Ingredients
These highly addictive candied peanuts are chemical-free (no added dye for their beautiful color).
How to Make Candied Nuts
Roast the Peanuts
Bake – Bake shelled peanuts in the oven at 325℉/163℃ on a cookie pan in a single layer for 15-20 minutes. Occasionally stir the peanuts and rotate the tray for even roasting. Remove and set aside.
Stovetop Method
The Sugar Mixture – Heat water in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bean or extract, and bring to a boil. Add the roasted peanuts.Crystallize – Turn the heat to medium-high to high, occasionally stirring, until sugar is grainy and crystallized, 15 to 18 minutes. Do not caramelize the sugar.Cool – Remove from heat, and spread it on a cookie sheet or tray. Let it cool and serve.
Oven Method
Preheat Oven to 325℉/163℃.The Sugar Mixture – Heat sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla flavor, and water over medium heat in a 12-inch skillet.Boil – Bring to a boil, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add peanuts, and cook, stirring over medium heat, until the peanuts are evenly coated and crystalize. (Do not let them caramelize.) Remove them and spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.Bake for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes for even roasting.Cool – Remove from the oven and let the peanuts cool.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can roast the peanuts a day ahead, but you’ll risk munching them before coating them with these fantastic sugar and spice mixture. It happens to me almost every time. LOL. So, I say reserve some in an airtight container just to be sure.
Serving and Storage Instructions
You can add these sugar peanuts to your salad, like Sweet Potato Salad, Avocado Corn Salad, or Southern Chicken Salad, for added flavor and texture. Or use them as decorative pieces for celebration cakes, such as Italian Cream Cake and Moist Banana Cake. You can store candied nuts in an airtight container for one week at room temperature. Or keep it in the fridge to prolong its shelf life for up to three weeks.
What to Serve with Candied Nuts
Not only is it a great snack, but it also gives salads a delightfully sweet and salty crunch.
More Fabulous Peanut Recipes to Try
Conclusion
So there you have two ways to make candied nuts (groundnut sweets), either the stovetop or oven. Both versions deliver well, although I prefer the stovetop version because it brings happy childhood memories. Which is your favorite way to make this deliciousness? Let me know in the comments ❤️
Watch How to Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”J8bTyrTI” upload-date=”2019-05-07T07:56:41.000Z” name=”Groundnut Sweet (Sugar Peanuts aka Candied Nuts)” description=”Groundnut Sweet( Sugar Peanuts aka Candied nuts) – highly addictive peanuts that have crunchy sugar coated layer. Perfect on-the-go snacks and even during movie time or while reading.”] This blog post was originally published in October 2013 and has been updated with additional tips and new photos.
