Candied Peanuts – An Old Fashioned Sugared Nut Recipe

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Candied Peanuts are guaranteed to become your new favorite snack item.  These old fashioned sugared nuts are sweet and crunchy. The only problem with these coated peanuts is that you will not be able to stop eating them.

Peanuts are a great go-to snack. You can make them salty, sweet, spicy or any combination. We love this simple Payday peanut mix that requires nothing more than opening a couple of packages and mixing! These Crock Pot Chili Peanuts are a great snack to set out on game day to enjoy with a cold beer.

Candied Peanuts Recipe:

Here’s a story about a lovely lady  a very happy lady who discovered these addictive sugared peanuts.  That lady is me, of course.  Sometimes, I have some type of divine intervention when a new recipe just comes to me. And, that’s exactly how these crunchy coated peanuts came to be.

The recipe is truly old fashioned because all I really did was modify an already perfect recipe for Southern Candied Pecans.  Instead of pecans, I used unsalted peanuts, and then I substituted vanilla extract for cinnamon.  And the result is nothing short of amazing.

The trick to these peanut snack recipe is to make a little batch of vanilla sugar first.

How do you make vanilla sugar with vanilla extract?

It’s easy.  Just mix one cup of white sugar with one teaspoon of vanilla extract.  I prefer to use pure vanilla extract instead of the imitation kind, if possible.  The vanilla flavor is more natural.

If you are making vanilla sugar for use at a later time (not immediately in a recipe like candied peanuts), let the sugar sit spread out on a sheet pan to dry before storing.

Sugared Peanuts Ingredients:

Unsalted peanuts

Egg white (dispose of yolk)

Sugar

Vanilla Extract

Salt

 

How to Make Sugared Peanuts:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
  2. In a small bowl, combine sugar and vanilla; add salt and stir.
  3. Beat egg white until frothy; add peanuts and stir until coated.
  4. Add sugar mixture to peanuts, and stir well.
  5. Pour onto a parchment lined sheet pan into a single layer.
  6. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

For the full ingredient amounts and instructions for candy coated peanuts, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

 

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Why do candied nuts have egg white?

Egg whites bind the sugar to the nuts creating the extra crunchy texture.  Without the egg whites, the sugar wouldn’t stick.

Check out our other candied nuts recipes:

Notes About Candied Peanuts:

  • What makes these candy coated peanuts extra special? The sugar is enhanced with vanilla extract for an abundance of flavor.
  • Pure vanilla extract gives a much better flavor than imitation vanilla.
  • Use a large sheet pan or a pan with sides to prevent the sugared peanuts from falling off during the baking process.
  • Line your sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  • Stir the peanuts two times during cooking, preferably every 15 minutes to prevent the nuts from sticking together and to the pan.
  • The candied nuts are super hot when they are taken from the oven. Let cool before snacking.
  • These old fashioned sugared peanuts make the perfect gift. Place in an airtight bag or container, add a bow and deliver to your friends and family.
  • Check out our Amazon Store for our pantry essentials and favorite kitchen gadgets.

Old Fashioned Candy Recipes

We love a good old-fashioned candy because they are usually so easy to make! Homemade sweets are a great go-to gift idea for any holiday, including Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter or birthdays. Check out our homemade gift ideas post.

Cream Cheese Mints

These easy three-ingredient Cream Cheese Mints are the perfect compliment for any bridal or baby shower, wedding, or family gathering.  The best part is that the only utensil needed is your hands.

Cornflake Candy with Marshmallows

Cornflake Candy with Marshmallows looks fancy, but in reality, the recipe is so simple, that even children can follow the instructions. These divine cookies will satisfy any sweet tooth, and the recipe only calls for five ingredients. 

White Chocolate Peanut Clusters

White Chocolate Peanut Clusters are a no bake peanut butter candy recipe that can be completed in less than 15 minutes.  The white chocolate peanut butter base coats a crunchy combination of peanuts and Rice Krispies that perfectly complements slightly melted mini marshmallows.  

Make up a batch of homemade candy…or even several batches of a variety of candies and then find a pretty plate, bowl, decorative tin to package them. You will have the perfect, from the heart, gift that everyone will love.

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Candied Peanuts

Candied Peanuts are guaranteed to become your new favorite snack item.  These old fashioned sugared nuts are sweet and crunchy.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time55 mins
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: candied peanuts, sugared peanuts
Servings: 32 servings
Calories: 108kcal
Author: Barbara

Ingredients

  • 1 pound unsalted peanuts 16 ounces
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg white

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or spray generously with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Combine sugar and vanilla; add salt and stir. Set aside.
  • Beat egg white until light and frothy.
  • Add peanuts to egg white and stir until all peanuts are coated.
  • Add sugar mixture and stir well.
  • Spread onto prepared sheet pan into a single layer.
  • Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
  • Let cool before eating.

Notes

  • What makes these candy coated peanuts extra special? The sugar is enhanced with vanilla extract for an abundance of flavor.
  • Pure vanilla extract gives a much better flavor than imitation vanilla. 
  • Use a large sheet pan or a pan with sides to prevent the sugared peanuts from falling off during the baking process.
  • Line your sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup. 
  • Stir the peanuts two times during cooking, preferably every 15 minutes to prevent the nuts from sticking together and to the pan.
  • The candied nuts are super hot when they are taken from the oven. Let cool before snacking. 
  • These old fashioned sugared peanuts make the perfect gift. Place in an airtight bag or container, add a bow and deliver to your friends and family. 

Nutrition

Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

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