With a light nutty crunch and the perfect balance of sweet and crunchy, these Sugared Peanuts are the ultimate treat! Perfect for the holidays or a satisfying snack any time, you’ll love how easy it is to make candied peanuts right at home.
They’re great on their own or as a topping for ice cream sundaes and other desserts. You’ll want to pop these little nuggets of delight into your mouth, one after another, until they’re all gone!
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🩵 About This Recipe
Peanuts, sugar, and water. That's all you need for this addicting snack! It combines the nutty crunch of raw peanuts with a crystallized sugar exterior for the perfect blend of sweet and salty.
Eat these on their own, add candied peanuts to sundaes, or package them up for gourmet homemade gifts. However you enjoy these sugar coated peanuts, they're sure to be a hit and they'll be gone before you know it!
And if you can't get enough nutty snacks, try these Chipotle Lime Roasted Peanuts as well if you prefer something bold and savory.
What readers are saying...
Yummy! A wonderful snack!
- Jennie
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- raw peanuts - you'll want to start with peanuts that aren't already roasted or salted.
- sugar - gives the peanuts a sweet coating.
- water - helps dissolve the sugar evenly to create a syrup and uniformly coat the peanuts.
🔪 Let's Make Sugared Peanuts!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Melt Sugar
Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Add Peanuts
To the sugar water mixture, dump in all of the raw peanuts.
Coat Well
Let the mixture come to a boil and stir well to coat all of the peanuts evenly in the sugar mixture.
Spread Out
Transfer the peanuts to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spread out into a single even layer.
Bake
Bake for about half an hour and stir every 10 minutes or so to prevent sticking. Then cool and enjoy!
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Start preheating the oven as you boil the peanuts so it's ready for you as soon as the boiling stage is done.
- Sprinkle some flaky sea salt over your sugar coated peanuts before baking to bring out the salty flavor and contrast the sweet shell.
- These are excellent as a casual snack, but also work as a topping for your favorite flavor of ice cream, to sprinkle over cakes or cupcakes, or to chop up and add to cookies or brownies!
- You can also add these to yogurt for a special snack, or even add them to certain salads for a pop of sweet flavor and crunch.
❔ FAQs
Peanuts do have some health benefits, like protein and fiber as well as various vitamins and minerals, but peanuts tend to be fairly high in calories. Add the sugar shell on top and these sweet peanuts aren't exactly healthy, but they're yummy in moderation!
If the sugar is overcooked or there isn't enough water, your candied peanuts can take on a sticky or gritty texture. Be sure to boil them just until all of the liquid is gone, and measure your water carefully!
Stir constantly once the water evaporates and the sugar starts to crystallize or caramelize. Use medium heat to maintain better control.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Give your candied peanuts a twist of extra flavor by adding additional ingredients like cayenne pepper or cinnamon.
- Another way to give them some more flavor is to add some vanilla extract (or another extract of your choice) to the sugar mixture.
- This recipe also works with other raw nuts like almonds, cashews, or pecans!
Kristin’s Kitchen Tip
Spreading out the sugar coated peanuts on the baking sheet is a way to ensure they all roast evenly! Roast in batches or on multiple baking sheets if they don't all fit on one.
🥡 Storage
Keep these candied peanuts in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They should keep for up to a week - if they haven't all been eaten by then!
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this sugared peanuts recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Add these candied peanuts to a bowl of Cranberry Ice Cream or Cookies and Cream Ice Cream to make a next-level sundae, or use them as a topping for these super tasty Pumpkin Fudge or a delicious and autumnal Apple Pie in a Mug!
😋 More Peanut Recipes You'll Love
- Cinnamon Pretzels and Peanuts - Another fantastic combination of sweet and salty for the ultimate snack.
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats - This snack adds a nutty twist to the classic treat!
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls - You'll love these portable oatmeal balls as a quick breakfast on-the-go.
- Masala Peanuts - Make this recipe from Swasthi's Recipes for a spicy Indian-style peanut snack!
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Candied Peanuts Recipe
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📋 Recipe Card
Sugared Peanuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved.1 cup sugar, ½ cup water
- Stir in the peanuts, turn up the heat to medium high and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. (Note: the liquid will take on a reddish color.) Continue to boil, stirring frequently, for about 15-20 minutes, until all the liquid is gone but the peanuts are still wet.2 cups raw peanuts
- Spread the peanuts on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 30 minutes, stirring them every 10 minutes or so to prevent sticking.
Notes
- Preheat your oven as you start to dissolve the sugar so it’s ready when the peanuts are finished boiling.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or cinnamon to the sugar-water mixture for a sweet and spicy twist.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the sugar syrup for an extra layer of flavor.
- For a sweet and salty combination, sprinkle a little sea salt over the peanuts before baking.
- You can substitute raw peanuts with almonds, pecans, or cashews for variety.
Additional Serving Suggestions:
- Use sugared peanuts as a crunchy topping for salads, yogurt, or ice cream.
- Package the sugared peanuts in small bags or jars for a homemade gift during the holidays or special occasions.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in January 2015, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in October 2024.
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Happy cooking!
Laina Turner says
I wish I wasn't at work. I'd make some right now.
Corinne says
This reminds me of the candied peanuts I used to eat sometimes as a kid. I'd forgotten all about them until I saw your pictures. They are addictive. I might have to double the recipe when I make them. 🙂 Thanks for linking up at This Is How We Roll Thursday.
K says
Hi there girly!
If you're interested, I starting a new link up on Tuesdays over at my blog. It's a great way to share your content and meet other awesome bloggers. I'd LOVE to have you share a post!
-K
http://www.peeledwellness.com
jenny says
Thanks for sharing!
Kyla @HouseOfHipsters says
Oh my mouth is watering! Thanks for linking up at Found & Foraged!
Jennie @ The Diary of a Real Housewife says
Yummy! A wonderful snack! I would love if you would share on my Friday Favorites linkup!
Sarah J says
Popping over from Treasure Box Tuesday =) I can't promise I'll ever make it but I pinned to my Recipes Eat Me board =) Looks delicious, my mouth watered. Be sure to share your recipes, crafts, upcycles & DIYs at Two Uses Tuesday (Mon 11pm EST to Fri 11pm EST) over at Sarah Celebrates if you don't already!
Miriam says
In Mexico they are called "cacahuates garapiñados" and we also do them with walnuts, ajonjoli and many other seeds or nuts and sprinkle on top of salads.
Delicious
Kristin King says
Oh yes, I can imagine so many possibilities! Yum!