World’s Best Candied Walnut Recipe

I’ve always loved the funny look of walnuts – like crunchy brains nestled in bumpy little shell “skulls”.  You probably don’t want to think about eating brains, and I don’t blame you. But, as a child, I just delighted in the thought of eating “nut brains” and I’d crunch on them every chance I got. What can I say? I had a very active (and, admittedly strange) imagination.

Recent scientific studies have shown that walnuts have both more healthful antioxidants and higher qualities of antioxidants than any other nut. That’s music to my ears, because now I have a great reason to eat my fill of walnuts. 

Here’s my recipe for a super healthy snack that also satisfies my sweet tooth. And, in an upcoming post, I’ll give you a recipe for a scrumptious salad to use your walnuts in. So, without further ado, I present to you the World’s Best Candied Walnut Recipe.

 World’s Best Candied Walnut Recipe

2 cups walnuts, shelled

2 Tablespoons maple syrup

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Filtered (or spring) water

Soak the walnuts in water for 3 hours, then drain. Pour the maple syrup over the walnuts and mix until the nuts are thoroughly coated. Sprinkle with sea salt.

Place in a dehydrator at 114^O F for 24-36 hours. You will know that the nuts are done when they are dry and the maple syrup no longer feels sticky.

If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can still make this recipe! Turn on your oven to its lowest setting, place the walnuts on a baking sheet and put them in your oven. Keep the oven door cracked a bit and use a thermometer to make sure that the temperature doesn’t get above 114^O F.

Enjoy!

Tamera