Candied Peanuts – An Old Fashioned Sugared Nut Recipe

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)

Granulated Sugar

Vanilla Extract

Salt

How to Make Sugared Peanuts

Step by Step Instructions

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.
7. Let cool completely before storing in a pretty jar or mason jar. These make great gifts.

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

Can candied nuts be frozen?

Yes, let the nuts cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container or freezer zip-lock bag. Store in the freezer for up to a month.

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:

• Crock Pot Glazed Pecans
• Cinnamon Glazed Nuts

Recipe FAQs

• 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.

Recipe Variations

• Use almonds, walnuts, cashews, or pecans instead of peanuts.
• Add your favorite spices such as gingerbread spice or pumpkin pie spice. A hint of cayenne pepper will give these a fun kick of flavor.

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

Cornflake Candy with Marshmallows

White Chocolate Peanut Clusters

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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