Maple-Glazed Roasted Nuts

Maple-Glazed Candied Nuts

Candied maple nuts are a delightful, salty-sweet treat that doubles as an appetizer or snack. These healthy mixed nuts are perfectly crunchy, addictive, and easy to make. Don’t be surprised if they disappear in no time!

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Why You’ll Love These Maple Nuts

Easy to Make: Unlike most candied nuts that require stovetop attention to avoid burning, these roast in the oven with minimal hands-on time. Simply mix, roast, stir, and cool.
Simple Ingredients: Made with just four basic pantry staples—nuts, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt—these can also be customized with optional flavors like spice or zest.
Perfect for Any Occasion: These nuts are a fantastic homemade gift for the holidays or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for parties. Stored properly, they stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Ingredients

Mixed Nuts: Use raw nuts if possible, as roasted nuts may burn during baking. A mix of almonds, pecans, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, and Brazil nuts works beautifully, but feel free to customize.
Maple Syrup: Creates a sweet, caramelized coating.
Salt: Balances the sweetness for a perfectly sweet-salty combo.
Vanilla Extract (optional): Enhances the candied flavor.

Instruction

Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Nuts: In a large bowl, combine the mixed nuts, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir for 1–2 minutes to coat the nuts evenly.
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the nuts in an even layer.
Roast: Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the tray and stir the nuts to redistribute the syrup coating. Turn off the oven, return the nuts to the oven, and let them cool for 10 minutes.
Final Cooling: Take the tray out and let the nuts cool completely for 10–15 minutes until no longer sticky.

Tips for Perfect Maple Nuts

Cool Gradually: Allow the nuts to cool in the turned-off oven to set the candy coating without burning.
Use Parchment Paper: This prevents the nuts from sticking to the baking sheet, making cleanup easier.
Choose Raw Nuts: Raw nuts reduce the risk of burning during roasting.
Skip the Salt: If using salted nuts, omit additional salt.
Use Real Maple Syrup: Avoid imitation pancake syrups, as they won’t produce the same results.

Flavor Variations

Herbaceous: Add fresh rosemary for an earthy twist.
Spicy: A pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes balances sweet with heat.
Seasonal Spice: Use cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for a holiday vibe.
Citrusy: Mix in orange or lemon zest for brightness.
Smoky: Sprinkle smoked salt for a smoky-sweet combination.

How to Use Maple Candied Nuts

As a snack on their own or mixed with pretzels and chips.
Crumbled over ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, or waffles.
Tossed into salads for a sweet-savory crunch.
On a charcuterie board as a gourmet touch.
In homemade trail mix with dried fruits and chocolate chips.

Storage

Store completely cooled nuts in an airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature. For optimal freshness, prepare them no more than three days before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Just ensure the nuts remain in a single layer on the baking sheet. Use two sheets if needed.

2. Can I use roasted nuts?
You can, but reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) to avoid burning.

3. What other nuts can I use?
Raw almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, or pumpkin seeds all work great.

These maple-glazed candied nuts are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. With their irresistible crunch and customizable flavors, they’re sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. Enjoy them as a snack, a gift, or a topping for your favorite dishes!