These old-fashioned Sugar Coated Peanuts are made with just a handful of basic ingredients. No special equipment needed, just a little of your time and love. They're perfect for gifting, snacking, or adding to your festive table.
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Ingredient notes
This recipe requires raw peanuts, caster sugar (you might call it superfine sugar) and water.Aa little red food colouring also helps achieve that signature sugar coated peanut colour.
See the recipe card at the end of this post for ingredient quantities.
How to make Sugar Coated Peanuts
You'll need about half an hour to make this peanuts. Start by lining two baking trays with baking paper.
Place the sugar and water in a large frypan and place over low-medium heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar has dissolved. Add the red food colouring and bring to a boil – you may have to increase the heat to medium. Add the peanuts as the mixture comes to the boil (see image 1).
Boil steadily for 20-25 minutes (see image 2), stirring from time to time, until the mixture thickens (see image 3) and then the sugar clings to the peanuts (see image 4).
TIP: Keep an eye on the mixture and lower the heat if necessary to maintain a steady boil and ensure the mixture doesn't burn – particularly towards the end of the process.
Pour the peanuts onto prepared trays (see image 5) and spread out evenly with the wooden spoon (see image 6).
Storage
Once completely cool, place the peanuts into an airtight container and store for up to 3-4 weeks.
More little sweet treats
Looking for other easy recipes that capture the charm of homemade sweets from generations past?
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Sugar Coated Peanuts Recipe
Equipment
- large frypan
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups raw peanuts (500 grams)
- 2 cups caster sugar / superfine sugar (440 grams)
- 2 cups water (500ml)
- ½ teaspoon red food colouring
Instructions
- Prepare two baking trays by lining with baking paper.
- Place sugar and water in frypan and place over low-medium heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until sugar has dissolved.
- Add the red food colouring and stir to combine.
- Bring to the boil (you may have to increase heat to medium) and add the peanuts as the mixture comes to the boil.
- Boil steadily for 20-25 minutes, stirring from time to time, until mixture thickens and then sugar clings to peanuts. (Keep an eye on the mixture and lower heat if necessary to maintain a steady boil. Particularly towards the end of the process, stir and regulate heat to ensure mixture doesn't burn.)
- Pour peanuts onto prepared trays and spread out evenly with the wooden spoon.
- Once completely cool, place peanuts into an airtight container.
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