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You are here: Home » Recipes » Antojitos

Cacahuates Garapiñados

Published: Feb 3, 2009 · Updated: Sep 6, 2019 by Mely Martínez

JUMP TO RECIPE

Caramelized or candied peanut are a simple-to-make snack that is sold outside public buildings, sports stadiums, parks and even outside schools all throughout Mexico. We call them cacahuates garapiñados, they can be found for sale in many small carts, filled with all sort of goodies, ranging from chewing gum, rancheritos or charritos, potato chips, cups of fresh fruit, candied fruit, etc.

Cacahuates Garapiñados

garapiñados Candied peanuts recipe


I cooked these peanuts thinking that my son will go nuts (wink) about them, but to my disappointment, he couldn’t care less about it. I will add them to his trail mix next time he goes out to the wilderness with his boy scout troop. And maybe, who knows, while he is out there tired, sweaty, and hungry, he will appreciate the crunchiness and sweetness of my "garapiñados".

Provecho!

How to make Cacahuates Garapiñados

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

cacahuates garapiñados Candied peanuts

Instructions: 

cacahuates garapiñados Candied peanuts recipes mexican
  • Place a heavy sauce pot over high heat with the water and sugar. Mix well.
  • When the mixture begins to boil add the peanuts. It is important to stir the mixture all the time, especially when the bubbles that are forming begin to be larger and take longer to break.
cacahuates garapiñados
  • When the mixture forms a sandy consistency at the bottom of the pan, remove from the heat.
  • Pour the mixture into a large baking pan or dish lined with wax paper and spread the peanut. Allow cooling at room temperature.
garapiñados Candied peanuts recipes
  •  The peanuts cooked this way will last up 6 months in a covered jar or sealed in a plastic bag.
Cacahuates Garapiñados
Original picture from 2/3/09

This recipe can also be a great Christmas Gift if you make a large batch and place them in decorative Holiday bags. You can also try to make them with Pecans, like in this recipe from Jen Around the World.

Did you like the recipe? Please let me know in the comments section, do you have questions, or share the link with your friends. I hope you have an incredible time cooking! Provecho!

Mely Martinez, the cook at Mexico in my Kitchen!

More recipes:
Griddle Cookies
Flan Recipe

📖 Recipe

Caramelized Peanuts

Mely Martínez
Cacahuates garapiñados or candied peanut are a simple-to-make snack that is sold outside public buildings, sports stadiums, parks and even outside schools all throughout Mexico. We call them cacahuates garapiñados, they can be found for sale in many small carts, filled with all sort of goodies...
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 51 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Antojitos
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 2 Tazas
Calories 929 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Cups of raw peanuts with the skin on
  • 1 and ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • Red food coloring This is optional

Instructions
 

  • Place a heavy sauce pot (a cast iron one works well) over high heat with the water and sugar. Add food coloring if you wish to use it. I used 5 drops. Mix well.
  • When the mixture begins to boil add the peanuts. It is important to stir the mixture all the time, especially when the bubbles that are forming begin to be larger and take longer to break. This step will take about 8 to 9 minutes until the liquid reduces.
  • When the mixture forms a sandy consistency at the bottom of the pan, remove from the heat.
  • (You may notice that the walls of the pan have also formed crystals).
  • Pour the mixture into a large baking pan or dish lined with wax paper and spread the peanut. Allow cooling at room temperature.

The peanuts cooked this way will last up 6 months in a covered jar or sealed in a plastic bag.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 929kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 38gFat: 72gSaturated Fat: 11gSodium: 35mgPotassium: 1086mgFiber: 14gSugar: 25gCalcium: 155mgIron: 6mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Bob Graham

      December 16, 2022 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      I assume I can use Annatto for the red.

      Reply
      • Mely Martínez

        December 16, 2022 at 12:29 pm

        Hello Bob,
        Please let me know how they turn out using annatto.

        Reply
    2. Paula Bereza

      November 14, 2022 at 8:09 pm

      Can I use dry roasted peanuts

      Reply
      • Mely Martínez

        November 15, 2022 at 3:26 pm

        Hello Paula,
        I had never tried the recipe using roasted peanuts. If you use them, let me know how they turn out. I don't thing they will be too much different.

        Reply
        • Kristrose

          February 06, 2023 at 7:56 pm

          If i used roasted peanuts i would boil the sugar to hard rock then add the nuts

        • Mely Martínez

          February 07, 2023 at 2:03 pm

          Hello Kristrose,
          I would wait until the sugar has melted and boiled for about 4 minutes in step 2 to add the peanuts. Let me know if it works for you.

    3. margil a vale

      November 06, 2020 at 5:52 pm

      I saw a vendor preparing the peanuts in argentina buenos aires. I love them. great reseta.

      Reply
    4. Jess

      July 20, 2020 at 10:44 pm

      So they have to have skins on?

      Reply
      • Mely Martínez

        July 21, 2020 at 8:06 pm

        Hello Jess,
        Yes, they have to have the skins on. At least that is the way I learned how to make them.

        Reply
      • MELISSA KING

        June 23, 2022 at 9:35 pm

        I just made this recipe using pecans and added a tip of cinnamon. Absolutely turned out great! Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Viviana

      November 19, 2018 at 6:25 pm

      Es necesario que el cacahuate tenga la cascara roja??
      Creo que ese fue mi error porque no se aderio el azúcar.😕😕😕

      Reply
      • mmartinez

        November 19, 2018 at 8:13 pm

        Hola Viviana,
        Si llevan la cascára roja para que se les adhiera el azúcar.

        Reply
    6. Christine A.

      October 03, 2018 at 8:11 pm

      So I brought a bag of Boston Baked Beans home from the grocery the other day (childhood favorite), and my husband, who is Mexican American, tasted them & compared them to these. Is it pretty much the same thing?

      Reply
      • mmartinez

        October 03, 2018 at 8:51 pm

        They must taste almost the same since they are made with the same ingredients, the only thing that changes is the cooking process. The Boston baked beans are baked. That is what I read, I had to google about it. Really interesting to know about it.

        Reply
    7. Anonymous

      July 18, 2017 at 3:36 pm

      No worries on all the replies in Spanish, they are basically just complimenting Mely for her recipe and knowledge.

      Thanks Mely... you make it sound so easy. I'll give it a shot soon, can't wait!
      I have loved this treat since I was a kid!
      Thnx again, Richard

      Reply
    8. Anonymous

      February 12, 2017 at 5:50 am

      While I think it is wonderful that so many people reply to your recipe, a greengo does not get much out of all their replies in Spanish. Looks good to me so I will try it! Thank you!

      Reply
    9. Anonymous

      August 18, 2016 at 11:58 pm

      Can i use pecans ?

      Reply
      • mmartinez

        August 22, 2016 at 4:19 pm

        Yes, you can use pecans!

        Reply
    10. Mexico in my kitchen

      November 24, 2010 at 10:07 pm

      Hola,

      Deja que la azucar y el agua se sequen un poco, de esa manera no quedan como caramelo.

      Gracias por tu amable visita.

      Saludos,

      Mely

      Reply
    11. Anonymous

      November 24, 2010 at 9:32 pm

      Muy bien explicado Mely, gracias por compartir tu receta; una pregunta: ¿utilizas algun tipo de azúcar distinta? pq me saben como a miel...

      Reply
      • Jeff Lozano

        August 16, 2020 at 9:29 pm

        Mmmmmm mmmmm mmmmm!! Sounds and looks great. Can’t wait to try it

        Reply
    12. Mely (mimk)

      February 05, 2009 at 12:43 pm

      Hey! Silvia
      Luego me platicas si los cocinas.

      Saludos!

      Reply
    13. Mely (mimk)

      February 05, 2009 at 12:43 pm

      Hola Carlos, Gracias por tu visita.
      Tambien se pueden hacer asi las nueces.

      Saludos!

      Reply
    14. Carlos Dube

      February 05, 2009 at 6:11 am

      5 stars
      Vaya, nunca hubiera imaginado que los cacahuetes se hicieran así. Muchas gracias por la explicación.

      Reply
    15. Silvia

      February 03, 2009 at 6:57 pm

      5 stars
      WOW Mely!!! Que delicia!! Como sabes tu tantisimas recetas tipicas! Tengo que tratar de hacer estos en casa. Ire copiando poco a poco tus recetas a mi recetario. A esta receta le pondre "Cacahuates garapiñados de Mely", como ves? =D

      Reply

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