Candied Peanuts (2 Ingredients Only)

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Using just two ingredients, these sugar-coated candied peanuts are crunchy, sweet yet savory, totally addictive, and taste like a homemade version of Boston Baked Bean peanut candy.

Candied Peanuts

Let me list all the reasons why I love this candied peanuts recipe. First, it’s so easy to make. You just need a little bit of patience as you make the sugar syrup and then cook the peanuts. Second, you only need two ingredients: peanuts and sugar. Yep, this candied peanuts recipe is gluten-free and vegan. I’ve included some variations below, but we’re sticking to the basics for these deliciously crunchy sugar-coated peanuts.

Third, this recipe is so inexpensive. I love my candied pecans, but pecan halves are definitely more expensive than peanuts! Finally, these candied peanuts taste SO good. They’re sweet yet savory, crunchy, and totally irresistible. Just try and not to eat them all at once!

Candied peanuts make a great gift for the holidays. I also enjoy serving them as a game-day snack and after dinner as a nibble for the adults. Keep reading to see some more serving suggestions!

Ingredients for Candied Peanuts

Recipe Ingredients

  • Raw peanuts (purchased on the aisle right next to the pecans and such).
  • Sugar

Also some water but we’re unusually blessed in that most of us reading this have that readily available at all times.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Sugar and water in saucepot.

 To begin with, place the sugar and water together in a nice pot and stir it up a bit.

Put this sugar mixture over medium heat and stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved.

Note: I am making a triple recipe in all of these photos. You won’t have this many unless you triple the recipe as well.

Sugar dissolved in water in saucepot.

Like this.

Add peanuts to sugar syrup in saucepot.

Now add your peanuts.

No, we’re not going to remove those skins. They’ll be just fine and besides, we aren’t into high maintenance food. 

Peanuts boiling in sugar syrup.

Put this back on medium heat and cook for about 30 minutes, until the liquid has all evaporated and you’re left with sugar-coated peanuts. I promise this will happen. Stir constantly during this.

Sugar-coated peanuts in saucepot.

See? Told ya!

Peanuts on cookie sheet.

Now spread the boiled peanuts out onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Place this in a 300-degree oven for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Remove your roasted peanuts from the oven, allow to cool, and package in bags or airtight containers.

Mama just puts hers in little mason jars.

Enjoy!

Storage

  • Store your candied nuts in an airtight container either at room temperature or in the fridge for up to one week.
  • You can also freeze a batch of candied peanuts in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

Recipe Notes

  • Besides enjoy as a delicious snack, here are some serving suggestions for your candied peanuts:
    • Enjoy them sprinkled on vanilla ice cream for dessert.
    • Add a handful to your favorite salad or coleslaw.
  • In the end (once the peanuts have soaked up the sugar syrup), you can add a teaspoon of additional spices if you like. Sweet-wise, opt for cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or gingerbread spice for the holidays. For spice, add chili powder or cayenne pepper. You could also simply add a teaspoon of salt or vanilla extract.
  • Instead of peanuts, you can use other “smooth” nuts. This includes macadamia, almond, or cashew nuts.
  • Substitute the white sugar for brown sugar for a sweeter version of these caramelized peanuts.

Here are more tasty peanut recipes:

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookie Bars

Peanut Butter Brownies with Peanut Butter Fudge Icing

1 Minute Peanut Butter Syrup

Yellow Cake with Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Icing

Peanut Butter Pie Recipe: Made the Old Fashioned Way

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

Candied Peanuts

These two-ingredient candied peanuts tick all the boxes: they're tasty, easy to make, and inexpensive.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: peanuts
Servings: 4
Calories: 303kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 cups peanuts raw, skin on

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Place over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves.
    1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water
  • Add peanuts to sugar water. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the peanuts are completely sugar-coated and no sugar syrup remains. This will take about 30 minutes.
    2 cups peanuts
  • Pour the boiled peanuts out onto an ungreased cookie sheet and spread them out a bit. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Allow the roasted peanuts to cool on the cookie sheet and then store in a sealed container.

Nutrition

Calories: 303kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

 

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190 Comments

  1. Christy, it’s just gonna get worse the older he gets. My daughter will be 17 tomorrow and I’m constantly waking up in the middle of the night panicking about one thing or another. It was so much easier when they were young and we could control everything in their lives.

    My family is going to go nuts for this recipe! Nuts. Get it? 😉 Thank you for sharing.

  2. Yum..these look good. Wonder how they would be if I added a little cinnamon with the sugar? Bet Brady gets new jeans for Christmas. 🙂

    1. I wondered about adding cinnamon as well as I’ve had mixed nuts with sugar and cinnamon on them. Some have hot stuff like cayenne, but not me. I loved pecans done this way. I didn’t do them but there are talented people at church. loved some I had just the other night. or can brown sugar be used in place of part or all of the white sugar? I am sure I’d love the plain sugar ones too.

  3. This recipe was originally printed by the Midwest Kitchen Klatter women, the Driftmeier sisters of Shenandoah IA. They had a magazine and a radio show that was very popular throughout the Midwest. The recipe originally called for a teaspoon of maple flavoring, which made them quite tasty. I have been making these for over 50 years! Make sure you keep stirring!

    1. Gosh that maple favor sounds great !! I think I’ll make 3 batches and use all of the different flavors I’ve read about here…..Maple, cinnamon, plain…. yummy
      Thanks for the idea !

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