Customizable Glazed Walnuts

These crunchy glazed walnuts are the perfect savory bite to snack on at home. They are seriously so easy to make and call for just a few simple pantry ingredients and spices. Vegan and gluten-free friendly. Plus, you can make them in either the oven or air fryer!

This post was first published on April 17, 2020. It was updated on June 25, 2024 to include new photos and helpful tips.

Are you team sweet or savory?

I'm all about snacking. It's a great way to meet your nutrition needs and satisfy cravings between meals.

It's hard for me to choose a team because I love both sweet and savory snacks. Some of my favorite sweet snacks are date "snickers", energy bites, or a loaded yogurt parfait.

On the savory side, I love hummus and veggies, roasted chickpeas, or putting these together in a cute Starbucks style bistro box. If you have a group, it's fun to build your own snack board and display them all together in a Insta-worthy way.

These maple or honey glazed walnuts have both the sweet and savory-giving you the best of both worlds. Roasting them allows them to crisp up and give it that wonderful crunch.

Are walnuts healthy?

Walnuts are an excellent source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. This trio of nutrients helps fill you up and stay healthy. Walnuts are also the only nut to provide an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 (ALA) fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. Research has shown enjoying walnuts (and other nuts) regularly can help with weight management too.

Ingredients you'll need

Chances are, you have all of the ingredients for this recipe lying around your kitchen. I love using fresh grated ginger and garlic as it adds an extra pop of flavor. However, if you don't have these, skip an unnecessary trip to the store and use ground ginger and garlic powder instead. Either way, they are so delicious!

• Soy Sauce/Tamari/Coconut Aminos: Choose based on your dietary needs. Tamari is gluten-free, and coconut aminos is soy-free.
• Maple Syrup/Honey: Opt for pure maple syrup or raw honey for the best health benefits. If you're looking for a zero sugar option, you could try a zero sugar honey substitute. Please note: I have not tested these walnuts with a zero sugar substitute yet.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
• Ginger: Freshly grated or ground ginger adds a warm, spicy note.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic or garlic powder enhances the savory flavor.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds a nutty crunch and a touch of calcium.
• Walnuts: Best when fresh and whole for maximum crunch and flavor.

How to make maple glazed walnuts

These easy roasted walnuts are seriously so easy to make. Here's how...

1. Prepare the glaze

In a medium-sized bowl, stir together sauce, honey/maple syrup, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and sesame seeds until well combined.

2. Add walnuts to the glaze

Add 1 cup of walnuts to the glaze bowl and stir until they are evenly coated with the glaze.

3. Cook the walnuts until crispy

These walnuts should be baked at a low temperature of 250°F for 30-40 minutes, until golden and crisp. Be sure to stir halfway through and periodically check on walnuts to ensure they don't burn.

Can you make glazed walnuts in the air fryer?

In the summertime, I love air frying these walnuts so it doesn't heat up the house. Add the coated walnuts to a parchment lined air fryer basket and air fry for 12-14 minutes at 250 degrees. Check on them halfway through to stir and ensure they don't burn. Once done cooking, let them cool in the air fryer basket completely before enjoying.

Tips and tricks

• Serving Tips: These walnuts are great on their own, but they also make a fantastic topping for salads, or power bowls.
• Troubleshooting Tips: If the walnuts are not as crisp as you'd like, bake or air fry them a bit longer, checking every couple minutes to avoid burning.
• Scaling Tips: To double the recipe, simply double all the ingredients and ensure the walnuts are spread out evenly on the baking sheet.

How should I enjoy these walnuts?

I love to sprinkle these walnuts over power bowls, glazed salmon, or fresh popcorn. They are also delicious enjoyed on their own. A healthy serving of walnuts is ¼ cup or about a palm full. A handful of walnuts is a versatile snack and can satisfy any taste preference, both savory and sweet.

Customize it your way

For this recipe, you get to choose your preferred sauce and liquid sweetener.

• Sauce of your choice: Use soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos depending on what you already enjoy or your dietary preferences. We normally use low sodium soy sauce, but tamari and coconut aminos are also both amazing gluten-free alternatives. And super tasty!
• Liquid sweetener of your choice: You can make either maple glazed walnuts or honey glazed walnuts. Using pure maple syrup will make this recipe vegan friendly. If you're using honey and it's hard, be sure to melt it before adding.

Can I make these glazed walnuts ahead of time?

Yes, you can make them ahead of time. Prepare and bake them as directed, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

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Recipes to pair these glazed walnuts with:

• Greek Chopped Salad
• Pea Pasta with Parmesan
• Customizable Snack Board