With minimal prep and a slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting, you can make a batch of sugared walnuts in no time. These sweet and spiced walnuts make a great gift, snack, or topping for your favorite dishes. Trust me, your friends and family will be asking for the recipe!

When it comes to holiday snacks, nothing beats the ease and deliciousness of these slow cooker sugared walnuts. First off, they practically make themselves! You toss everything into the slow cooker, set it, and forget it—no babysitting or constant stirring required. Plus, they’re the perfect balance of sweet, spiced, and crunchy, making them irresistible for guests or a cozy snack by the fire.

What I love most is how versatile they are. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute gift idea, a crowd-pleasing treat for a holiday party, or just something to snack on while wrapping presents, these sugared walnuts check all the boxes. And let’s not forget—they look so fancy in those hexagonal glass jars with a cute ribbon, making them feel like a thoughtful homemade gift.

Big thanks to Tammilee Tips for sharing this foolproof recipe that’s become a holiday favorite in our house. Trust me, you won’t be able to stop at just one handful!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Sugared Walnuts

Thankfully, the ingredient list is short–here’s what you’ll need:

Walnut Halves: Walnuts are the star of the show here. Their rich, buttery flavor and crunchy texture make them the perfect base for this sweet treat. Plus, they’re packed with healthy fats and antioxidants, so you can feel a little bit better about indulging! Don’t have walnuts? Pecans or almonds work just as well—feel free to get creative.
Butter: Butter helps the sugar stick and creates the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy. If you’re looking for a lighter option, you could swap the butter for coconut oil, though it will change the flavor just a bit, giving it a tropical twist.
Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar dissolves easily, ensuring that the walnuts get evenly coated with that sugary glaze. If you’re out of powdered sugar, you can pulse regular granulated sugar in a blender or food processor until it reaches a fine, powdery texture.
Ground Cloves: The cloves add a subtle warmth and spice that really make these walnuts taste like the holidays. They’re sweet and a little smoky, giving the snack that cozy, festive flavor. Not a fan of cloves? You can swap them for a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for a slightly different flavor profile.
Ground Ginger: Ginger brings a nice zesty kick to the mix. It’s that perfect balance of sweet and spicy, complementing the walnuts and butter beautifully. If you don’t have ground ginger, you can use freshly grated ginger or even a dash of gingerbread spice if you’re feeling adventurous!

How to Make Sugared Walnuts in Your Slow Cooker

Making sugared walnuts in your slow cooker is as easy as it gets—and the best part? No need to stand over the stove constantly stirring. This recipe does the heavy lifting for you.

Turn on your crock pot to high for 15 minutes while you gather your ingredients. This gives the slow cooker a head start, so it’s ready to go once everything is added.
Add the walnuts and melted butter to the crock pot and stir well. The butter will start melting and coat the walnuts, ensuring the sweet and spiced mixture sticks to every piece.
Add the powdered sugar and mix everything together until the walnuts are evenly coated. It’s important to mix thoroughly so that every nut gets a nice dusting of sweetness. At this point, the walnuts may look a little clumpy, but that’s totally normal!
Cover and cook on high for 15 minutes. This quick burst of high heat helps kickstart the glazing process, so your walnuts get that perfect sugary coating.
Turn the heat down to low and cook uncovered for 2-3 hours. This is where the magic happens! The low heat allows the sugar to slowly melt and caramelize, giving the walnuts that crispy, glossy finish that’s totally irresistible. Stir once or twice throughout this process, but don’t worry too much about being perfect.
Carefully transfer the walnuts to a serving bowl. Once they’re golden and coated in that delicious glaze, it’s time to let them cool. Be sure to use a slotted spoon or tongs to avoid excess liquid.
Combine the cinnamon, cloves, and ginger in a small bowl, then sprinkle this spice blend over the cooling walnuts. The warm spices will mingle beautifully with the sweetness, adding that unmistakable holiday flavor.
Stir to coat the walnuts evenly. Make sure every walnut gets a little sprinkle of spice so they’re all perfectly flavored.
Cool before serving. Let the walnuts cool completely before serving or gifting. This allows the glaze to set and the spices to really absorb into the nuts.

And there you have it—a simple, crowd-pleasing holiday treat made right in your slow cooker! These sugared walnuts are perfect for snacking, gifting, or even as a topping for your holiday desserts. Enjoy!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

No ratings yet

Slow Cooker Sugared Walnuts

A sweet and spiced treat that's perfect for the holidays! These nuts are crisp, glazed, and totally addictive. Follow these easy steps to create a delightful snack or gift. Special thanks to Tammilee Tips for this foolproof recipe—it's one you'll want to keep on hand for all your holiday gatherings!

Prep Time20

Cook Time3

Total Time3 20

Course: Candy, Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 335kcal

Author: Tammilee Tips

Ingredients

1 lb walnut halves
½ cup butter melted
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground ginger

Instructions

Preheat your slow cooker: Set your slow cooker to high and let it heat for 15 minutes while you prepare the ingredients.
Add the walnuts and butter: Stir well until the walnuts are evenly coated with melted butter.
Add powdered sugar: Sprinkle in the powdered sugar and mix thoroughly, making sure every walnut is coated in sweetness.
Cook on high for 15 minutes: Cover and cook on high heat for 15 minutes to start the glazing process.
Turn the heat to low: Reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally, until the walnuts are perfectly crisp and glazed.
Transfer to a serving bowl: Once the walnuts are golden and glossy, carefully transfer them to a bowl to cool.
Spice them up: In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, then sprinkle over the cooling nuts for an extra burst of holiday flavor. Stir to coat evenly.
Cool before serving: Allow the nuts to cool completely before serving or gifting. The glaze will harden as they cool, creating that perfect crunchy texture.

Notes

Feel free to swap out the walnuts for any other nuts of your choice! Pecans, almonds, or cashews would also work wonderfully.

Make sure to stir occasionally during the low-heat cooking phase to ensure the glaze coats every walnut perfectly.

Nutrition

Question: What’s your go-to homemade gift that’s as easy to make as it is delicious? Share your favorite recipes and tag a friend who needs to try this!

EverydayCheapskate™ is reader-supported. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.