Crunchy Caramelized Nuts You Can Make in Your Microwave

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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If you make this and enjoy the recipe, it would help me and others if you would return to this post and leave a rating (on the recipe card itself underneath the picture). Although always appreciated, no comment is required. Thank you for visiting! Paula

Crunchy Caramelized Nuts

Yield: 1 cup

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 11 minutes

Nuts caramelized in the microwave--shiny, sweet and crunchy

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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 bowlif 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

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

• 
  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

 Check out more amazing things you can do with your microwave:

• Using a Microwave to Toast Nuts or Coconut
• Microwave Banana Pudding
• Apples in a Bag