• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Salad in a Jar

and other secrets of a home economist

  • Home
  • Photo Recipe Index
  • Recipes
  • Archives
  • Contact

Crunchy Caramelized Nuts

December 5, 2009

Crunchy Caramelized Nuts are a snack of caramel-coated nuts of your choice. It’s hard to stop with these crunchy little jewels.CRUNCHY CARAMELIZED NUTS - in a box
Need a quick snack to take to a party? Or a quick Christmas gift with a handmade touch?   I’ve got the ticket.  Dressed up shiny and sleek, these fancy nuts are ready to step out on the town.

Add cinnamon if you like. Think cinnamon rolls sans flour and butter.

Crunchy Caramelized Nuts-- in mini cupcake liners

The best part? 10-15 minutes from start to finish.

Second best part? Only three ingredients!

2009 12 05_caramelized nuts_0018.JPG

Thanks to Dorie Greenspan for giving me the idea in her recipe, Rosy Pear and Pistachio Tart–posted earlier this week.  She used caramelized pistachios–made in a more traditional way and used to garnish. But I prefer to make them in a microwave and eat them straight.

Skinny Secret:

Nuts may be addictive.  Best taken to parties where you have help eating them.

water and sugar in microwave.jpg

Add water to sugar in a 2-quart glass batter bowl. Do not stir. (I highly recommend you buy an inexpensive glass 2-quart batter bowl if you cook in a microwave very often.)

 

caramel in batter bowl.jpg

Microwave on High for 6-7 minutes (see note) or until sugar mixture starts turning golden. DO NOT STIR.

 

2009 12 05_caramelized nuts_0042.JPG

 

Yield: 1 cup

Crunchy Caramelized Nuts

Crunchy Caramelized Nuts
Nuts caramelized in the microwave--shiny, sweet and crunchy
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 11 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 1 to 1 1/4 cup whole, shelled pecans or pistachios (haven't tried any other nuts)

Instructions

  1. Add water to sugar in a 2-quart glass batter bowl. Do not stir. (I highly recommend you buy an inexpensive glass 2-quart batter bowl if you cook in a microwave very often.)
  2. Microwave on High for 6-7 minutes (see note) or until sugar mixture starts turning golden. DO NOT STIR.
  3. (Times vary with different MW ovens so watch carefully the first time or two until you figure out the exact time needed in your oven. It's easy to burn. Remember things cooked in a microwave continue to cook for a short time after removed from the oven.)
  4. Add nuts and MW on High for 30 seconds. Give a quick stir and finish with another 30 seconds on High.
  5. Quickly (and I do mean quickly) pour onto parchment paper, a silicone baking mat or well-greased cookie sheet. Allow to cool.
  6. Break up with your fingers. If caramel pulls in to thin thread-like strands when you try to break up the nuts, let it cool longer. If that doesn't work, you probably didn't cook it long enough.

Notes

Variation:

Spiced Caramelized Nuts: Add mixture of 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom or cinnamon to mixture after Step 3. Stir quickly and pour onto prepared baking sheet.

Recommended Products

  • Anchor Hocking 2 Quart Glass Batter Bowl With Lid (81106L11)
    Anchor Hocking 2 Quart Glass Batter Bowl With Lid (81106L11)
  • Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN936B Black Countertop with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor, 2.2 Cu. Ft, 1250W
    Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN936B Black Countertop with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor, 2.2 Cu. Ft, 1250W

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. But don't worry. This doesn't change the price you pay.

© Paula of saladinajar.com
Cuisine: American / Category: Snacks
Whip up these sweet and crunchy nuts in your microwave in 6 minutes.

 Related Posts:

  • Using a Microwave to Toast Nuts or Coconut
  • Microwave Banana Pudding
  • Apples in a Bag
Sign Up for Email Updates
For Email Marketing you can trust.
Affiliate Disclaimer--Link
Privacy Policy--link
Previous Post: « Steakhouse Rolls–A Bread Machine Recipe
Next Post: Roasted Eggplant and Potatoes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. JOHN

    December 11, 2012 at 8:00 pm

    I just set mine out to cool, they smell and look awesome.. BTW, all I had was California Almonds so, I will update the “different nuts” recipe…..

    Reply
  2. Christine @ Fresh Local and Best

    December 8, 2009 at 12:32 am

    This is a great recipe for party appetizers! I like how easy the recipe is.

    Reply
  3. Mimi

    December 7, 2009 at 10:25 am

    Thanks for the microwave version of this recipe. We all love nuts for a snack and these would be great with a little cayenne pepper added to them.
    Mimi

    Reply
    • Harold Bowdeb

      February 2, 2019 at 5:14 pm

      How much cayenne? 1/4 tsp or more?

      Reply
      • Paula

        February 3, 2019 at 1:08 pm

        Cayenne is a GREAT idea. I would probably do 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon.

        Reply
  4. Debbie

    December 7, 2009 at 7:16 am

    These look delicious, as usual! I am sure they taste great too- especially for all of those “nut” lovers and snackers. Look great to have handy for the holidays!

    Reply
  5. Eva

    December 6, 2009 at 10:29 am

    These look awesome. And so simple. Totally trying this. Might also try it with popcorn and nut mix.

    And I love those batter bowls. I bought one for 6$ and I liked it so much a couple days later I went back and bought another!

    Reply
  6. Jill

    December 5, 2009 at 7:45 pm

    Thank you so much for posting this! I can’t wait to try the microwave version. I just polished off the rest of the caramelized pistachios from the tart and they were so delicious. Love the skinny secret…so true!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube
Blog author--Paula Rhodes

POPULAR POSTS

LOW-CALORIE CREAMY BALSAMIC SALAD DRESSING

Low-Calorie Creamy Balsamic Salad Dressing

HOMEMADE CONDENSED CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

Make Your Own Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup in Less than 5 Minutes

Sign up for email

Copyright © 2019 · Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in