Candied Nuts (Groundnut Sweet or Sugar Peanuts)
These are highly addictive peanuts with a crunchy sugar-coated layer for the perfect on-the-go snack. They're fancy yet affordable, so they're even a great gift.
Servings 4
Calories 204kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups peanuts, shelled
- ⅔ cup water
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoons nutmeg, freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla bean)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Bake shelled peanuts in the oven at 325℉/163℃ on a cookie pan in a single layer for 15-20 minutes. Stir the peanuts, occasionally 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 extract (or vanilla bean), and bring to a boil. Add the roasted peanuts.
- Turn up the heat to medium-high to high, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is grainy and crystallized, 15 to 18 minutes. Do not caramelize the sugar.
- Remove from heat, and spread the peanuts on a cookie sheet or tray. Let them cool and serve.
Method 2
- Preheat the oven to 325℉/163℃.
- In a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and water.
- Bring to a boil, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add peanuts and cook while stirring over medium heat until peanuts are evenly coated and crystallized. (Do not let it caramelize.)
- Remove the peanuts and spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes for even roasting. Remove from the oven and let them cool.
Notes
- You can also roast the peanuts on a stovetop in a skillet on medium heat, occasionally stirring, for about 5-10 minutes or until the peanuts become aromatic. They will be crunchy once cooled.
- Add about a teaspoon of salt for better flavor. You'll love the perfect combination of sweet and salty flavors.
- You can always replace the peanuts with your favorite nuts, such as almonds, pecan, walnut, cashew, macadamia, and hazelnut.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 100g | Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.2mg