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Best Crunchy Candied Macadamia Nuts – Easy Sweet Treat

candied macadamia nuts - featured image
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These crunchy candied macadamia nuts are sweet, salty, and dangerously snackable. Made with just five ingredients in one pan and ready in 15 minutes, they’re perfect for gifting, snacking, or topping desserts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (280g) raw macadamia nuts
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup (65g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Flaky sea salt (optional, for finishing)

Instructions

  1. Prep your workspace. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it near the stove. Measure your macadamia nuts and set them aside in a bowl. Have your butter, sugar, and salt measured and ready to go.
  2. Melt the butter. Place your non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Let it melt completely, swirling the pan occasionally. You want it fully liquid but not browning.
  3. Add the sugar and salt. Pour the granulated sugar and fine sea salt directly into the melted butter. Stir continuously with your wooden spoon until everything combines into a smooth, bubbling mixture, about 30 seconds.
  4. Add the macadamia nuts. Dump all the nuts into the pan and stir immediately to coat every single one. Keep stirring constantly.
  5. Toast and coat. Continue stirring constantly for 4-5 minutes. The nuts will start to look glossy and the sugar coating will darken slightly to a light amber color. Listen for gentle crackling.
  6. Check for doneness. After 4 minutes, the coating should be thick and syrupy, clinging to each nut. Lift one out and let it cool for 10 seconds. If the coating hardens into a crackly shell, you’re done. If still sticky, give it another 30-60 seconds.
  7. Transfer to the baking sheet. Working quickly, scrape the entire contents of the pan onto the parchment-lined sheet. Spread the nuts into a single layer, separating them as much as possible while hot.
  8. Sprinkle with flaky salt. If using, sprinkle a small pinch of flaky sea salt over the hot nuts.
  9. Let them cool completely. Allow the nuts to cool for at least 20-30 minutes without touching them so the coating hardens.
  10. Break apart and enjoy. Once completely cool, break apart any large clusters with your hands.

Notes

Watch your heat carefully—medium heat is ideal. Stir constantly but gently to avoid breaking the nuts. The cooling stage is non-negotiable for achieving a crunchy texture. For best results, let the nuts cool completely before storing.

Nutrition

Keywords: candied macadamia nuts, crunchy nuts, sweet snack, easy snack, homemade gift, stovetop candied nuts

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/best-crunchy-candied-macadamia-nuts-easy-sweet-treat/