Maple Bacon Candied Walnuts

I love making candied nuts as a salad topping.

This version uses real maple syrup in place of the white sugar or corn syrup found in other recipes.  I’ve been loving real maple syrup since we visited a maple sugar farm in Vermont on a family trip a couple summers ago.  It was so fun to buy syrup directly from a multi-generational family farm!

And since maple and bacon go so well together, I decided to add just a little bit of bacon and a dash of cayenne for a fun sweet/savory/spicy combo!

These are amazing as a salad topping or just to eat by the handful!

Sunday Funday

Maple Syrup

• French Toast by Mayuri's Jikoni
• Karawya with a Maple Syrup Drizzle by Culinary Cam
• Keto Baked Chicken Legs In Buffalo Sauce by Sneha's Recipe
• Maple Bacon Candied Walnuts by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Maple Bourbon Smash by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Maple Dijon Bacon Green Beans by Making Miracles
• Maple Mousse by A Messy Kitchen
• Maple Pecan Glaze for Scones by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
• Maple Thyme Hasselback Yams by Food Lust People Love

Maple Bacon Candied Walnuts

Adapted from Gimmie Some Oven

1 cup walnuts

¼ cup real maple syrup

Pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)

2 tablespoons crumbled bacon pieces

Stir the walnuts, maple syrup, and cayenne together over medium heat. Bring to a low boil, stirring frequently and lowering the temperature, if needed.  Cook until the syrup is thick and mostly evaporated, about 10-15 minutes.

When the syrup is thick and evaporated, stir in the bacon pieces.  Cook for another minute.  Spread onto a parchment lined baking sheet to cool.