Honey and Walnuts: Candied, Roasted and Baked Ideas
Honey and walnuts are one of the oldest sweet pairings in the world, from Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts to Middle Eastern baklava and Georgian churchkhela. Walnuts have a rich, slightly bitter, buttery taste, and honey balances that bitterness while adding shine and crunch when baked. This article covers how to toast walnuts, candied honey walnuts, salads, cheese boards, baking and storage tips, plus which honeys suit walnuts best. For a broader nut guide, see our honey roasted nuts guide.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Why honey and walnuts work
Walnuts have thin, papery skins that carry tannins, giving them a slightly bitter, astringent edge. Honey's sweetness softens that bitterness and brings out the nut's buttery richness. When baked, honey caramelizes into a crisp coating that clings to every crevice of the walnut halves.
The combination is also simple: two ingredients, a few minutes, and a big flavor payoff.
How to toast walnuts
Spread walnuts on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for 7 to 10 minutes, shaking the pan once, until fragrant and a shade darker. Or toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Toasting deepens their flavor and reduces bitterness.
Walnuts burn quickly, so stay close and remove them as soon as they smell nutty.
Candied honey walnuts
Toss two cups of walnut halves with three tablespoons of honey, a tablespoon of melted butter or oil, a pinch of salt and a pinch of cinnamon. Spread on a lined tray and bake at 325°F for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring halfway, until bubbling and golden. Spread on parchment to cool; they crisp as they cool.
- 2 cups walnut halves
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil
- Pinch of salt and cinnamon
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 325°F
Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts
In Greece, a bowl of thick yogurt topped with honey and walnuts is a classic dessert and breakfast. Use plain Greek yogurt, a generous spoon of honey and a handful of toasted walnuts. Add fresh figs or grapes in season. Our Greek yogurt with honey guide has more ideas.
Salads with honey and walnuts
Candied honey walnuts add crunch to salads. Try spinach with pears, blue cheese and honey walnuts, or arugula with beets, goat cheese and walnuts. Dress with olive oil, cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey. Our article on honey and pears has more salad ideas.
Honey and walnuts on a cheese board
Walnuts and honey flatter blue cheese, aged cheddar, manchego, pecorino and brie. Set out a small bowl of honey and a pile of toasted walnuts so guests can build bites. Our honey and cheese pairing guide has more matches.
Baking with honey and walnuts
Honey and walnuts star in baklava, where layers of phyllo and chopped nuts are soaked in honey syrup. They also shine in banana bread, carrot cake, brownies and walnut honey tarts. When swapping honey for sugar, use about three quarters as much honey, reduce liquids slightly and lower the oven by 25°F.
Our baking with honey guide explains the details.
Traditions around the world
Honey and walnuts appear in many cultures:
| Place | Dish |
|---|---|
| Greece | Yogurt with honey and walnuts, melomakarona cookies |
| Turkey and the Levant | Baklava with walnuts and syrup |
| Georgia | Churchkhela and gozinaki, walnuts with honey |
| Iran | Walnuts with honey and dates |
| Eastern Europe | Honey walnut cakes and poppy seed rolls |
Which honey suits walnuts
Raw Buckwheat Honey, harvested in New York State, has a malty depth that matches walnuts' bitterness. Raw Wildflower Honey, also from New York State, is a versatile choice for salads and yogurt. Raw Knotweed Honey, from North Dakota, has a dark, herbal richness that suits walnut desserts.
Allergy note
Walnuts are tree nuts, one of the major food allergens identified by the FDA. Let guests know when dishes contain them, and keep them away from anyone with a tree nut allergy.
Storing walnuts
Walnuts are high in polyunsaturated fat, which makes them go rancid faster than most nuts. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to six months or the freezer for up to a year. Candied honey walnuts keep about two weeks in an airtight jar at room temperature.
Nutrition notes
Walnuts provide plant omega-3 fat (alpha-linolenic acid), fiber and protein, according to USDA data. They are calorie-dense, at about 185 calories per ounce. Candied walnuts add honey's calories too, so a small handful goes a long way.
The takeaway
Honey and walnuts are a classic, versatile pairing. Toast the nuts, use bold honeys to match their bitterness, store them cold, and enjoy them in yogurt, salads, cheese boards and bakes.
Honey and walnuts in a quick snack mix
Toss candied honey walnuts with dried cranberries, dark chocolate chips and pumpkin seeds for a snack mix that travels well. Pack small portions in jars for hikes or lunch boxes, since the mix is rich and a little goes a long way.
Honey for your walnuts
Try Raw Buckwheat Honey and Raw Wildflower Honey with your next batch. Save with a 3 jar or 6 jar pack of any honey, and orders over $50 ship free. See all honeys in our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Food Allergies: What You Need to Know · U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Honey: nutrient profile · USDA FoodData Central
- United States Standards for Grades of Extracted Honey · USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Frequently asked questions
- How do I make honey walnuts?
- Toss walnuts with honey, butter and salt, bake at 325°F for 10 to 12 minutes and cool.
- Which honey is best with walnuts?
- Buckwheat or knotweed for depth; wildflower for everyday use.
- Should I toast walnuts first?
- Toasting deepens flavor and reduces bitterness.
- How long do candied walnuts last?
- About two weeks in an airtight jar.
- How should I store raw walnuts?
- In the fridge or freezer, since they go rancid quickly.
- Are walnuts an allergen?
- Yes. They are tree nuts, a major food allergen.
- What is churchkhela?
- A Georgian treat of walnuts strung and coated in thickened grape juice.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
