These Christmas candied walnuts made with brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger are perfect for the holiday season! Perfect candied walnuts for salads, as a sweet snack or gifting.
Air fryer and oven baked options provided below.
- Candied Walnuts Ingredients
- How to make Candied Walnuts with Brown Sugar
- Pro Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage
- Other Holiday Snacks Recipes
Imagine that feeling of walking up to the aroma of spiced nut carts on a chilly winters day. I won’t forget the moment when I walked up to a sugared almond cart in London at Christmas. I crossed over the Millennium Bridge towards the Tate Modern when all of a sudden the warm smell hit me.
You can now conjure the same ambience, with this easy recipe, in the comfort of your warm kitchen. Bonus, the sweet smell lingers for longer!
I went for a candied walnut recipe which is perfect for Christmas time and is made with a handful of ingredients. It is the perfect snack just as or as a topping to salads and even desserts! It’s egg-free and gluten-free.
Candied Walnuts Ingredients
Walnuts – you can use whole walnuts or walnut halves. Go for raw walnuts rather than ready roasted
Brown sugar – you can also use white sugar or maple syrup
Butter – salted or unsalted works.
Spices – cinnamon powder and ginger powder. Variations include nutmeg
Vanilla extract
Sea salt
Make it vegan by using vegan butter, coconut oil or olive oil.
How to make Candied Walnuts with Brown Sugar
In a medium non-stick skillet, add the walnuts, brown sugar, butter, spice powders, vanilla and a pinch of salt.
Turn on the heat on a low medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves and is bubbling.
Line a baking sheet or air fryer basket with parchment paper.
Spoon the candied nuts into a single layer.
Bake for 5 minutes at 170C or 340F.
Air Fry at 170C 340 F for 2-3 minutes
- Let them cool for a couple of mintes, then sprinkle over icing sugar and toss to coat well.
Pro Tips
Check your walnuts are fresh and well in date. Rancid walnuts will be bitter tasting once cooked
Try to avoid using the smaller pieces of walnuts so they can all cook evenly.
Stick to low heat as high heat can lead to the sugar burning and tasting bitter. Avoid medium-high heat for this reason
If the sugar does not appear to be melting as it heats, you can add a spoon of water to the mixture at a time.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many serving possibilities for these candy walnuts.
Enjoy them as a delicious snack
Great addition to a salad recipe such as a beet salad with crumbled feta cheese
Add them to a cheese plate or a delicious addition to a charcuterie board
Add them to the top of ice cream or oatmeal
Storage
Keep stored in an airtight container once they have reached room temperature.
Sugared walnuts stored in a mason jar make for great gifts.
Other Holiday Snacks Recipes
Pumpkin Scones
Spiced Rosemary Almonds
Cardamom and Cinnamon Fudge
Christmas Jam
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!
- YouTube
Candied Walnuts with Brown Sugar
Equipment
- 1 Frying pan
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Air fryer or Oven
- 1 Parchment paper or Baking Tray
Ingredients
- 3 cup walnuts raw
- 3 tablespoon butter salted or unsalted
- ¾ cup brown sugar soft
- 1 tablespoon ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a medium non-stick skillet, add the walnuts, brown sugar, butter, spice powders, vanilla and a pinch of salt.
- Turn on the heat on a low medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves and is bubbling.
Oven Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spoon the candied nuts into a single layer.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 170C or 340F or Gas Mark 3.
Air Fryer Method
- Air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- Spoon the candied nuts into a single layer.
- Air Fry at 170C 340 F for 2-3 minutes.
- Let them cool for a couple of mintes, then sprinkle over icing sugar and toss to coat well.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Candied Walnuts with Brown Sugar
Equipment
- 1 Frying pan
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Air fryer or Oven
- 1 Parchment paper or Baking Tray
Ingredients
- 3 cup walnuts raw
- 3 tablespoon butter salted or unsalted
- ¾ cup brown sugar soft
- 1 tablespoon ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a medium non-stick skillet, add the walnuts, brown sugar, butter, spice powders, vanilla and a pinch of salt.
- Turn on the heat on a low medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves and is bubbling.
Oven Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spoon the candied nuts into a single layer.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 170C or 340F or Gas Mark 3.
Air Fryer Method
- Air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- Spoon the candied nuts into a single layer.
- Air Fry at 170C 340 F for 2-3 minutes.
- Let them cool for a couple of mintes, then sprinkle over icing sugar and toss to coat well.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
These easy air fryer french toast sticks are made without eggs ! Sticks of bread are dipped in an instant custard mix, air fried then tossed in sugar and cinnamon.
This is the best french toast stick recipe and is a quick alternative to traditional french toast! You can achieve the most delicious french toast sticks with the right amount of crispness with crispy edges and a creamy soft inside.
You can also make these ahead of time, freeze them then enjoy them for a quick breakfast on busy mornings!
I love making desserts and sweet dishes in the air fryer such as this Vegan Burnt Basque Cheesecake and Air Fryer Grilled Pineapple !
Ingredients
White bread – stale bread holds the custard better. I used 2 day old bread.
I went for a whole loaf rather than one already slices. This is so I could cut the bread slices to the thickness I wanted. Texas toast is usually thickly cut.
Usually, brioche bread is used but as I want to keep the recipe egg free, I went with white bread which still worked wonderfully.
Use any other leftover bread to make Bread Sauce
Instant custard powder – you can easily find instant custard powder in most home baking sections of supermarkets. This way, you can make an egg free custard which works the same way. Birds is one such brand.
Milk and cream – I used whole milk and heavy cream which helps make the custard mixture thicker
Vanilla extract
For serving:
Sugar – you can use white or brown sugar. I used granulated sugar but you can use confectioners’ sugar (icing sugar) too.
Cinnamon powder – to make the cinnamon-sugar mixture
Melted butter – I found that brushing over a little melted butter whilst the bread sticks are still hot helps the sugar to coat even better
Maple syrup
Pro Tips
Type of bread – Stale bread is the best kind of bread as it holds well after being dipped in the custard
Custard consistency – For best results to dip bread, you’re looking for a consistency that is runnier than custard – I’d go for a heavy cream consistency
Place sticks with a little gap so that the air can circulate all edges.
Cooking times – times and temperatures can vary based on your air fryer model and size of your french toast sticks.
Serve straight away – Enjoy your air fryer french toast sticks immediately for the best results – they can become more chewy over time.
How to make French Toast Sticks in the Air Fryer
In a shallow bowl, whisk custard powder, milk and cream and vanilla extract until smooth.
Slice the bread into 1 inch thick slices then slice further into equal sticks.
Spray the basket of your air fryer with cooking oil spray or brush on the oil.
Dunk the french toast stick into the custard mixture and place in the air fryer basket in a single layer
Air Fry at 200 C or 400 degrees f for 10 minutes or until golden brown, flipping over at the half way mark
Brush over melted butter and roll into the cinnamon sugar mixture
Serve immediately.
How to Air Fry Frozen French Toast Sticks
Instead of making homemade french toast sticks, you can simply pop frozen ones into the air fryer for an easy breakfast option.
Place the sticks in the air fryer basket and air fryer at 400 F or 200C for around 3-4 minutes or until hot through.
Serving Suggestions
Maple syrup is a winning combination but you can experiment with different dips
- Salted caramel dip
- Coconut syrup
- warmed peanut butter
Fresh fruit such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries add a pop of colour and flavour.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream would also taste great!
Storage
French toast sticks are best enjoyed immediately, however, you can store leftovers in an airtight container. Reheat for a minute or so in the oven or air fryer to enjoy them later.
To freeze for later, layer the sticks in parchment paper and freeze in a freezer safe container for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until hot through. The texture may change due to the freezing process.
Other Eggless Air Fryer Recipes
Puff Pastry Apple Tart
Breaded Mushrooms
Orange Cranberry Scones
Toasted Ravioli
Mille Feuille Recipe
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!
- YouTube
Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Air fryer
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread thick
- ¼ cup custard powder instant
- ¼ cup cream single
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon butter optional
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
Serve with
- strawberries optional
- maple syrup optional
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, whisk custard powder, milk and cream and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Slice the bread into 1 inch thick slices then slice further into equal sticks.
- Spray the basket of your air fryer with cooking oil spray or brush on the oil.
- Dunk the french toast stick into the custard mixture and place in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air Fry at 200 C or 400 degrees f for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Brush over melted butter and roll into the cinnamon sugar mixture
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
