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.
Ground Peanuts aka Sugar Peanuts are precisely the kind of snack that you eat by the handful without realizing that you have over indulged. 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 and you are going NUTS for peanuts.
These highly addictive candied peanuts are color free ( no added color to make it bright), egg free ( vegan) but still have that crusted crunchy layer of sugar. A childhood street food for me, they are known as groundnut sweet in Cameroon(West Africa) and made with only with 3 ingredients.
This one is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla bean or vanilla flavor and for the adventurous, add a ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper for an extra punch.In addition to intensified the flavor of the peanuts, I reduce the white sugar and replaced it with brown sugar.
You may do the same or just use granulated sugar. Easy to make- groundnut sweet can be made in two different ways. I have tried both of them and they get the job done, but I prefer the one over the other. I will tell you why. Roasting the peanuts first, minimizes any burns you would get from the sugar sticking to the sheet. Use any nuts on hand (Almond, cashew) or a combination of nuts. Just go nuts! 😉
Watch How to Make It
Groundnut Sweet (Sugar Peanuts aka Candied Nuts)
Ingredients
- 2 cups shelled peanuts
- 2/3 cup water
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar sub granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoons grated nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla flavor or 1 vanilla bean
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Bake shelled peanuts in the oven at 325 degrees on a cookie pan, single layer for about 15-20 minutes-Stirring the peanuts and rotating the tray for even roasting. Remove and set aside.
Method 1
- Heat water in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla bean or flavor, bring to a boil. Add the roasted peanuts
- Turn the heat to medium high to high, stirring occasionally, until sugar is grainy and crystallized, 15 to 18 minutes. Do not caramelize the sugar.
- Remove from heat, spread it out on a cookie sheet or tray. Let it cool and serve
Method 2
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- In a 12inch skillet over medium heat, combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla flavor, and water.
- Bring to a boil, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add peanuts, and cook stirring, over medium heat until peanuts are evenly coated and crystalize. (Do not let it caramelize)Remove the peanuts and spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in oven for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes for even roasting.
- Remove for oven and let it cool.
Nutrition Information:
s! 
Niih Julienne says
I tried this recipe
Amina says
Hi Niih, Thank you so much you tried it. Stay tuned for more amazing recipes.
Happy New Year!
Mariam says
I love this recipe. I must try it but my question is, must I use a skillet, what if I don’t have one?
ImmaculateBites says
No you do not need to use a skillet . A pot , sauce pan would work just as well.
Cindy says
Thank you very. I’ll definitely be doing this
Immaculate Bites says
Let me know how it goes, Cindy 🙂
Amarachi says
Must d peanut be a raw one
Immaculate Bites says
It is best to roast the peanuts first 🙂
Devon says
My sugar got very dark and started to become burnt before it had dried up and crystallized. I pulled it off the heat because it was smoking and laid it flat on parchment it made a nice brittle but what do you think I did wrong?
imma africanbites says
Sorry to hear that. All I could think of was that the heat was too high.
Mabel says
Well appreciated your recipes are always mind blowing but can I do it with out shell