GROUNDNUT SWEET RECIPE - CANDIED PEANUTS (2024)

Posted ByPrecious

4.50 from 2 votes

Published Aug 18, 2017

Updated Dec 23, 2019

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Groundnut sweet also know as candied peanuts or sugar-coated peanuts is a popular snack in many countries. They are crunchy, sweet, insanely delicious and simply irresistible!

In Cameroon, these are sold as a snack or street food. I remember my uncle warning me sternly years ago that I should never purchase Groundnut Sweet. According to him, I was going to damage my teeth if I dared to eatany. He said thisbecause of the sugar crust all over the peanuts/groundnuts.

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To an extent, Uncle was right. The sugar can be overwhelming especially if you are not a sweet-tooth person. BUT I have an epic solution to overwhelming sugar here. Add some salt! OKAY, the salt doesn’t take away the sugar but it takes away the overwhelming sweetness you get when you use just sugar. Plus the sweet and salty combo in a snack is to die for! Try it, I tell you.

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You guys, this thing called groundnut sweet hardly lasts for long in my home when I make it. But if it survives in yours, store in an airtight container for future enjoyment.

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You need very minimal ingredients in this recipe with the basic ones being the nuts, some sugar and water. Now with those three things you can make really tasty candied peanuts. But I love to take it up a notch by adding salt, and some form of flavor.You can watch me in the how-to video of this recipe adding ground nutmeg. Here pictured, we have vanilla extract and cinnamon as flavor options. These are equally very good.Just choose the flavor you prefer and use or you could even make it with no flavor at all and it will still taste good!

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Now this whole recipe takes only 15 minutes. Fifteen! So it’s one of those thing that you can jump up and do if you want a quick crunchy satisfying snack. Also, you could use this same recipe with any nuts of choice – almonds, pecans, etc.

Making this is very easy as you can see in the video. If you have not yet subscribed to my YouTube channel, CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE so you never miss any of my videos.

How to make groundnut sweet:

Start by roasting the peanuts for a few minutes. For the quantity of nuts in this recipe, I roast them for 5 – 10 minutes, stirring from time to time. Roasting the peanuts ensures that they are crunch and it also lends them a nice flavor.

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Then pour the sugar, water salt and flavor (nutmeg, vanilla extract or cinnamon) into a pot. Stir and add in the peanuts.

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Mix and let it bubble.

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Then keep stirring until the sugar crystallizes, nicely coating the groundnuts.

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Let it cool then sit down and enjoy yourself! By enjoy yourself, I mean eat some. Then eat some more. You deserve it, honey. Check out the full recipe below!

GROUNDNUT SWEET RECIPE - CANDIED PEANUTS (10)

Candied Peanuts

4.50 from 2 votes

You will go nuts over this candied peanuts recipe. Sweet, crunchy and irresistibly good!

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw peanuts (groundnuts) - (292 g)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg optional
  • 1/2 cup water (118 ml)

Instructions

  • Place peanuts on a skillet and roast on medium heat, stirring from time to time for about 5-10 minutes.

  • Add sugar, water, salt and nutmeg in a pot set on medium heat and stir to combine. Add in roasted peanuts and mix well. Bring to a bubble then keep stirring until the sugar crystallizes on the peanuts. This takes about 5 minutes.

  • Spread on a tray to cool then enjoy! To preserve, store in an airtight container.

Notes

1. Other ingredient options for adding flavor to your candied peanuts include vanilla extract and cinnamon. You could really use any flavor you like or use no flavor at all.

2. Omit the salt if you want it very sugary but I find that adding salt yields the perfect blend of sweet and salty.

3. If you choose to double this recipe, note that the cooking time will increase.

4. Us this same method to candy other nuts like almonds and pecans. SO GOOD!

5. Instead of roasting the peanuts on the stove-top you could roast them in the oven - spread them on a tray covered with parchment paper on a single layer then roast for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Nutrition

Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 206mg | Potassium: 363mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 0.2IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 2mg

Additional Info

Course: Snack

Cuisine: African

Calories: 407

Tried this recipe?Mention @preciouscore or tag #PreciousCore!


GROUNDNUT SWEET RECIPE - CANDIED PEANUTS (11)

GROUNDNUT SWEET RECIPE - CANDIED PEANUTS (12)

If you make this recipe, please share a picture with me on Facebook at Facebook.com/preciouscoreor on Instagram: @preciouscore. I’ll love to see!

African Desserts African Recipes Precious Kitchen

About Precious

Welcome to my core! I am Precious Nkeih, the recipe developer and writer right here on my blog, Precious Core. My goal is to show you insanely delicious recipes you can replicate in your kitchen. And I love to tell stories too. Hope you find recipes here that will make cooking easier for you! Check me out on YouTube at YouTube.com/PreciousKitchen.

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GROUNDNUT SWEET RECIPE - CANDIED PEANUTS (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a groundnut and a peanut? ›

Groundnut is also more tolerant of drought and can grow in a wider range of soil types than a peanut and has better durability against water-prone areas. However, groundnut is typically grown in fields or gardens, while peanut is often grown in raised beds or small containers.

How to make peanut candy in Nigeria? ›

Put back your frying pan on the fire measure 1 and half cup of sugar continue to fry until its caramelized then pour in the grounded groundnut and fry for like 3 to 5 minute, rub oil on your chopping board then pour the groundnut candy cover with foil paper then roll it out and then cut into desired shapes and store in ...

What is the difference between Spanish and Virginia peanuts? ›

Virginias are grown mainly in southeastern Virginia, northeastern North Carolina and South Carolina. Spanish-type peanuts have smaller kernels covered with a reddish-brown skin. They are used predominantly in peanut candies, with significant quantities used for snack nuts and peanut butter.

What is the difference between Spanish peanuts and co*cktail peanuts? ›

co*cktail peanuts are cooked in oil. There are also dry roasted peanuts, honey roasted, etc. Spanish peanuts (still have the red skin on). Peanuts in the shell, which will be roasted with optional salt.

Why is groundnut not a nut? ›

Assertion: The fruits of groundnuts are not nuts but underground pods. Reason: The pods will not develop until the fertilized ovary is pushed under the soil.

Are hazelnuts and groundnuts the same thing? ›

Peanuts and hazelnuts are different types of nuts with distinct characteristics. Peanuts are legumes, not true nuts, and grow underground. They have a soft, papery shell and a unique flavor. Hazelnuts, on the other hand, are true nuts that grow on trees.

What are peanuts called in Africa? ›

In many parts of Africa, peanuts are usually known as groundnuts because the nut pods grow underground. Peanuts play an important nutritional role in many parts of Africa since they have good fats and contain 7 grams of protein which helps combat child malnutrition.

Why do you put peanuts in co*ke? ›

The combination is believed to have developed in the South during the 1920s, as a snack for blue-collar workers that did not require them to wash their hands. It quickly became popular as a summer snack, especially in rural areas. The snack became an internet trend in 2018.

In which city is peanut candy famous for? ›

Feel the Traditional taste and Crunchiness of the delicious Mittai of Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu, famously known as the “Land of Peanut Candy”. Thamirabarani River water used in the production process enhances the Taste Naturally of the Peanut Candy.

Which state has the best peanuts? ›

Virginia Peanuts are different from other types of peanuts when it comes to size and taste. They are the largest of all peanuts and have a distinctive crunch. They're also very flavorful. Virginia Peanuts are often called the "Ballpark Peanut" because they're sold hot at baseball games.

What are the 4 types of peanuts? ›

U.S. peanuts fall into four basic types: Runner, Virginia, Spanish and Valencia. Each of these peanuts is distinctive in size and flavor.

What makes Virginia peanuts so crispy? ›

First we soak the peanuts, and then roast them (with primarily peanut oil) in small batches at precisely controlled temperatures to bring them to the perfect "blister" point, which creates the unique Virginia Diner crunch that our customers love.

What do Mexicans call peanuts? ›

el maní (PL maníes) ⧫ el cacahuate (Mexico)

Can you eat the skin on Spanish peanuts? ›

Peanut skins have an abundant amount of natural antioxidants and a high content of dietary fiber, says new study. Even different types of roasted peanut skins, such as light-roasted or dark-roasted, contain these high amounts. Adding peanut skins to foods, such as peanut butter, can increase its nutritious content.

Why are Valencia peanuts the best? ›

Valencia peanuts on the other hand, have smaller kernels (you can find three or more in each shell). They are sweeter and oilier than Virginia or Runner peanuts, which makes them perfect for all-natural peanut butter. We don't need to add any sweetener or extra oil. Also, they are less likely to contain mold.

Why are peanuts called groundnuts? ›

The name “peanut” is misleading, because it is not botanically a true nut, but rather a legume. Peanuts are also called groundnuts in many English-speaking countries because the edible seeds of a peanut plant start above ground but mature underground.

Is A pistachio A groundnut? ›

Pistachios are not true botanical nuts. In fact, they're the edible seed of the pistachio tree fruit. However, like many other seeds, they're still considered a nut for culinary purposes, as well as a tree nut among those with allergies.

Is peanuts a groundnut? ›

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are a legume that originated in South America. They go by a variety of names, such as groundnuts, earthnuts, and goobers.

Is peanut butter just ground up peanuts? ›

Peanut butter is a food paste or spread made from ground, dry-roasted peanuts. It commonly contains additional ingredients that modify the taste or texture, such as salt, sweeteners, or emulsifiers.

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