Name: Old Fashioned Sugar Candied Peanuts
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 cups raw peanuts; 2 cups white granulated sugar; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 teaspoon flake salt

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Sugar Candied Peanuts just might be the easiest homemade candy recipe ever! It requires only 3 ingredients and is perfect for the holidays, parties, tailgates even gifts! Sweet and crunchy with an irresistable nutty flavor, I promise you want be able to stop snacking on this simple, old fashioned treat.

old fashioned candied peanut recipe for the holiday parties

This is the easiest candy recipe I’ve ever made! The only things it requires is sugar, salt, peanuts and patience. Anyone can make them. EVERYONE loves them. With their crunchy sugar shell and soft peanut insides, this is one snack you’ll want to have at every party, tail gate, girls’ night and get together.

RELATED RECIPE: Easy Roasted Peanuts in the Shell

this old fashioned candy recipe is perfect for tailgates, parties and holiday get togethers

Variations

Add a dash of cinnamon or chili powder for a little variety and spice. Many recipes for candied peanuts don’t add salt. But I do to enhance the natural nutty flavor of the peanuts and, by contrast, really make that sweet sugar coating pop!

This easy candy recipe only needs 3 ingredients-peanuts, sugar and salt.

I’ll walk through an overview of ingredients & steps in this section along with helpful tips!

Look for specifics at the end of the post in the recipe card.

Ingredients

raw peanuts (raw Spanish peanuts work great!)
white granulated sugar
flake salt

No need to worrying about removing the skins or purchasing peanuts without skins. As you can see from the photos, the sugar coating actually sticks better to the nuts with skins!

This easy candy recipe is made in a skillet in just about 10 minutes

How To Make This Sugared Nut Recipe

Coat the Peanuts in Sugar Water. In a large skillet, add peanuts, sugar and water. Bring to a low boil over medium high heat while stirring.

Let the Sugar Re-Crystalize. Continue stirring for 8-10 minutes until water evaporates and sugar re-crystalizes becoming like sand. Working quickly, add in salt. Stir again to make sure all peanuts are coated.

Cool. Pour sugared nuts out onto parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Spread out so that the peanuts are in a single layer. Break apart any nuts that are stuck together. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.

pro tips for making easy candied peanuts

The sugar coating hardens as the peanuts cool on parchment paper or a silicone baking mat

How to Store Candied Peanuts

Store these peanuts in an air tight container in the pantry or on the counter for up to one week.

These sugared nuts don’t do well when refrigerated or frozen because the candied shell can get soft as the nuts thaw or come back to room temperature.

candied peanuts make thoughtful homemade gifts for neighbors, friends, teachers and parties

Serving & Giving Candy Peanuts As Gifts

These nuts are a perfect little sweet to munch at cocktail and holiday parties, but they are also ideal for tail gates and game nights! Place them anywhere where guests can grab a handful as they mingle and visit!

Candied Peanuts make deliciously thoughtful gifts for hostesses, neighbors, teachers and friends. Package them up in small tins, cellophane bags or mason jars with a little ribbon and a tag for gifts everyone will appreciate!

Make these easy candied peanuts for holiday parties or easy gifts

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