Tangy Sweet Candied Jalapenos Recipe: Spice Up Your Snacks

Spicing up your snack game with a candied jalapeños recipe promises a delightful twist on traditional pepper preserves.

Adventurous palates will love this sweet and fiery combination that balances heat with sugary goodness.

Crisp peppers get a magical transformation through a simple syrup coating.

Kitchen enthusiasts can easily master this condiment with minimal ingredients and basic cooking skills.

Versatile and vibrant, these candied jalapeños work perfectly as a zesty sandwich topper or charcuterie board accent.

Bold flavors await you in this quick and straightforward culinary creation.

Your taste buds will dance with excitement when you try this irresistible pepper treat.

Sweet and Spicy Perks of Candied Jalapenos

• Spice Up Your Culinary Adventure: Transform ordinary jalapenos into a sweet and tangy condiment that adds excitement to any dish, perfect for adventurous food lovers.
• Master Easy Preservation Techniques: Learn a simple canning method that lets you enjoy homemade pickled peppers with minimal kitchen skills and maximum flavor impact.
• Create Versatile Gourmet Topping: Elevate sandwiches, tacos, salads, and charcuterie boards with these zesty candied jalapenos that bring both heat and sweetness to your meals.
• Customize Your Flavor Profile: Experiment with spice levels and adjust ingredients to match your personal taste, making this recipe a flexible and fun cooking experience.

Everything for Candied Jalapenos (Sweet & Spicy)

• Jalapenos: Fresh, spicy peppers perfect for candying.
• Sugar: Sweet base for creating sticky syrup.
• Vinegar: Provides tangy flavor and preservation.

• Garlic, Mustard Seeds, Turmeric, Celery Seed: Aromatic spices that enhance overall flavor profile.

• Gloves: Essential for safe handling of spicy jalapenos.
• Sterilized Jars: Clean containers for storing candied jalapenos.
• Slotted Spoon: Useful tool for transferring jalapenos from syrup.

Making Candied Jalapeños (Sweet & Spicy Style)

Step 1: Prepare Spicy Peppers

Put on protective gloves to shield your hands from pepper oils. Slice jalapenos into thin rings, carefully removing and discarding the stems. Ensure your cuts are even and consistent for uniform pickling.

Step 2: Craft Flavorful Syrup

• White sugar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Mustard seeds
• Turmeric
• Celery seed

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Heat the mixture, stirring constantly until sugar completely dissolves. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, creating a fragrant and bubbling syrup.

Step 3: Simmer Jalapeno Rings

Gently drop the sliced jalapeno rings into the boiling syrup. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Allow peppers to cook for 5 minutes, becoming tender and absorbing the rich, sweet-spicy flavors. The peppers will start to look slightly translucent and glossy.

Step 4: Preserve Spicy Delicacy

Sterilize glass canning jars by washing in hot, soapy water or running through a dishwasher cycle. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the candied jalapeno rings into the clean jars. Continue cooking the remaining syrup until it thickens, approximately 5 minutes. Pour the concentrated syrup over the peppers, leaving a small air gap at the top. Seal jars tightly with clean lids, creating an airtight preservation.

Step 5: Cool and Store

Allow the jars to cool completely at room temperature. The candied jalapenos will continue to develop flavor as they rest. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy as a zesty condiment on sandwiches, burgers, or as a spicy appetizer topping.

What to Know for Candied Jalapenos

• Protect Your Hands: Always wear gloves when slicing jalapenos to prevent skin irritation and burning sensations from capsaicin.
• Control Spice Level: Remove seeds and membranes for milder candied jalapenos, or keep them for extra heat and intensity.
• Sterilize Jars Properly: Thoroughly clean and sterilize glass jars with boiling water to ensure food safety and longer preservation.
• Thicken Syrup Perfectly: Reduce syrup by boiling until it reaches a slightly sticky, honey-like consistency for better coating and flavor absorption.
• Store Smartly: Refrigerate candied jalapenos for up to 2 weeks, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over time.

Store And Serve Candied Jalapeños Later

• Store candied jalapenos in sealed jars in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Keep them in the coldest part of the fridge to maintain freshness and flavor.
• Transfer cooled jalapenos to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight headspace. They'll keep in the freezer for 3-4 months without losing their spicy-sweet kick.
• Once opened, consume refrigerated candied jalapenos within 7-10 days for optimal taste and texture. Always use clean utensils when serving.
• Warm candied jalapenos in a small saucepan over low heat for 1-2 minutes. Avoid high temperatures to prevent syrup from burning or changing flavor profile.

Sweet and Spicy Candied Jalapenos Pairing Suggestions

• Pair with Creamy Cheese Delight: Spread candied jalapenos over cream cheese on crackers for a mouthwatering appetizer that balances sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.
• Elevate Grilled Meats: Serve as a zesty condiment alongside barbecued chicken, pulled pork, or beef brisket to add a punch of flavor and unexpected excitement to your main course.
• Craft Spicy Cocktail Garnish: Drop a few candied jalapeno rings into a bloody mary or margarita to create a bold, memorable drink that tingles the taste buds and adds gourmet flair.
• Transform Sandwich Sensation: Layer these sweet and spicy peppers on sandwiches like turkey clubs or grilled cheese to give classic lunch favorites an incredible flavor boost.

Sweet and Spicy Jalapeño Alternatives

• Low-Heat Peppers: Substitute jalapeños with milder poblano or Anaheim peppers for a gentler spice experience.
• Diabetic-Friendly Version: Replace sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce carbohydrate content and maintain sweetness.
• Vegan Adaptation: Use apple cider vinegar and coconut sugar to create a plant-based friendly condiment while preserving the original flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Confirm all spices are certified gluten-free and use tamari instead of traditional mustard seeds to ensure zero gluten contamination.

FAQs

• Are candied jalapenos very spicy?

The spice level depends on the jalapenos. Remove seeds and membranes for milder heat, or keep them for more intense spiciness. Most people find candied jalapenos moderately spicy with a sweet kick.

• How long do candied jalapenos last?

Properly sealed and refrigerated, they can last 2-3 months. Always check for signs of spoilage like mold or off-smells before consuming.

• What can I do if the syrup is too thin?

Continue boiling the syrup until it reaches a thicker, more syrupy consistency. The liquid will naturally reduce and become more concentrated as it cooks longer.

• Do I need special equipment to make candied jalapenos?

No special equipment is required. You’ll just need basic kitchen tools like a saucepan, slotted spoon, sterilized jars, and gloves to protect your hands from jalapeno oils.

Candied Jalapenos Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 20 1x

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Description

Spicy-sweet candied jalapeños bring Mexican culinary magic to your kitchen, creating an irresistible condiment that elevates sandwiches, tacos, and cheese plates. Bold peppers glazed with sugar offer surprising heat and complexity you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Candied Jalapenos (Sweet & Spicy) Recipe Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) fresh jalapenos, sliced into uniform rings
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) apple cider vinegar

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon celery seed

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Instructions

1. Don protective gloves and slice fresh jalapenos into uniform rings, carefully removing stems and seeds to control heat intensity.
2. Craft a vibrant syrup by combining granulated sugar, tangy vinegar, minced garlic, aromatic mustard seeds, golden turmeric, and earthy celery seed in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
3. Ignite the heat and bring the syrup to a rolling boil, continuously stirring until sugar completely dissolves and creates a glossy liquid.
4. Gently introduce sliced jalapeno rings into the bubbling syrup, reducing temperature to a gentle simmer and allowing peppers to soften and absorb flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
5. Utilize a slotted spoon to carefully transfer tender jalapeno rings into sterilized glass jars, ensuring even distribution.
6. Concentrate the remaining syrup by continuing to boil until it reaches a rich, thick consistency, typically around 5 minutes.
7. Carefully pour the reduced, concentrated syrup over the jarred jalapenos, ensuring complete coverage and leaving minimal air pockets.
8. Securely seal jars with tight-fitting lids, creating an airtight environment for preserving the sweet and spicy condiment.

Notes

• Always wear gloves when handling jalapenos to prevent skin irritation and burning sensation from capsaicin.
• Slice peppers uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and flavor distribution throughout the batch.
• Adjust spice level by removing seeds and membranes for milder candied jalapenos or keeping them for extra heat.
• Store sealed jars in cool, dark place for up to 2 months, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over time.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Curing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 20
• Calories: 113
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 3 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg