Crunchy Caramelized Nuts are a snack of caramel-coated nuts you can make in your microwave. It’s hard to resist these crunchy little jewels.
Need a quick snack to take to a party? Or a quick Christmas gift with a handmade touch? Try candied pecans. These fancy nuts are dressed up sleek and shiny, ready to step out on the town.
Why these nuts are my favorite snack to take to a party:
The best part? 10-15 minutes from start to finish.
The second best part? Only three ingredients!
Thanks to Dorie Greenspan for giving me the idea in her recipe, Rosy Pear and Pistachio Tart from Baking. She used caramelized pistachios–made more traditionally on top of the stove and used them to garnish. But I prefer to make them in a microwave and eat them as a snack
Skinny Secret:
Nuts may be addictive. They are best taken to parties where you have help eating them.
Variation:
Add cinnamon if you like. Think cinnamon rolls sans flour and butter.
How to use your microwave to make Crunchy Caramelized Nuts:
#1
#2
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Crunchy Caramelized Nuts
Nuts caramelized in the microwave--shiny, sweet and crunchy
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
- 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 bowlif you cook in a microwave very often.)
- Microwave on High for 6-7 minutes (see note) or until sugar mixture starts turning golden. DO NOT STIR.
- (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.)
- Add nuts and MW on High for 30 seconds. Give a quick stir and finish with another 30 seconds on High.
- Quickly (and I do mean quickly) pour onto parchment paper, a silicone baking mat or well-greased cookie sheet. Allow to cool.
- 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.
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Check out more amazing things you can do with your microwave:
Celerystx
This recipe worked great! Only took 5-1/2 minutes in my microwave to get to golden, so definitely watch your time. The nuts taste great, they remind me of Cracker Jack. Will definitely use this recipe again and try some of the variations.
Paula
High five!!!
JOHN
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…..
Christine @ Fresh Local and Best
This is a great recipe for party appetizers! I like how easy the recipe is.
Mimi
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
Harold Bowdeb
How much cayenne? 1/4 tsp or more?
Paula
Cayenne is a GREAT idea. I would probably do 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon.
Debbie
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!
Eva
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!
Jill
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!