Quick and Easy Candied Jalapenos or Cowboy Candy - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

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If you like sweet and spicy, you’ll love these Quick and Easy Candied Jalapenos, or Cowboy Candy as it’s also known. This recipe has only two ingredients, making it as easy as it is delicious (and addicting).

Quick and Easy Candied Jalapenos or Cowboy Candy - CopyKat Recipes (1)

Table of Contents

What Makes Candied Jalapenos so Good

There are so many reasons why you will love this recipe. First, it’s so easy. With only two ingredients, it makes whipping up this recipe for a snack or an appetizer a snap. Candied Jalapenos are also extremely addicting. You can’t just eat one. It satisfies your sweet and spicy craving.

Candied Jalapenos are also known as “Cowboy Candy” or “Kandy Crisp Jalapenos”. If purchased in the store, these are very expensive. So making these from scratch will also save you a ton of money and it makes a great gift idea.

What Kind of Jalapenos Do You Need?

When selecting jalapenos for this recipe, always grab pickled jalapenos. You will want to purchase a large can of jalapenos to start. Most grocery stores, as well as Sam’s and Costco, will carry these types of jalapenos.

If you can’t find them, also look under nacho pepper slices or pickled jalapeno slices.Make sure you purchase them in the large number 10 can.

If you like sweet and spicy, you’ll love this quick and easy candied jalapeno recipe. This concoction couldn’t be more simple- it only has two ingredients! Making it as easy as it is delicious (and addicting!). Once that first jar is cracked open, you’re not going to be able to stop eating these wonderful candied peppers.

What Makes Candied Jalapenos so Good?

There are so many reasons why you will love this candied jalapeno recipe. First, it’s a snap to whip up for a snack or an appetizer. Candied jalapenos are also extremely addicting because they satisfy your sweet and spicy craving. It’s a fact, you can’t just eat one! For such a simple recipe, these pack a ton of flavor.

Candied jalapenos are also referred to as cowboy candy or Candy-Krisp Jalapenos. If you purchase them in a store, they are very expensive. So making these from scratch will save you a ton of money, and they make a great gift idea.

What Kind of Jalapenos Do You Need?

When buying jalapenos for this recipe, always go for a large number 10 can of pickled jalapenos. You can find them in most grocery stores, as well as at Sam’s and Costco. If you have trouble finding them, look under nacho pepper slices or pickled jalapeno slices.

How to Make This Candied Jalapeno Recipe

Making candied jalapenos couldn’t be any easier. The only thing you may need other than pickled jalapeno peppers and sugar is patience. The first thing you need to do is drain the peppers for about 15 minutes. You will then dump the jalapenos into a large airtight container, add the sugar and stir well. Here’s where the patience comes in – you will need to stir the jalapenos every day for the next 5 or 6 days. (Keep the top on your container in the refrigerator until you are ready to stir.) After this time, a spicy-sweet syrup will have developed, and you will be able to enjoy your candied jalapenos. At this point, you can put your candied peppers into small jars.

Tips on Making Candied Jalapenos

  • I always save glass jars, so when I want to package up a few of these candied peppers for someone, I have something on hand to do so. Of course, you can always buy some small canning jars, but empty mustard jars work well too.
  • Use simple white sugar for this candied jalapeno recipe. You don’t need anything too fancy.
  • You’ll also need a large colander to drain the peppers and a large airtight container for the stirring process.

How to Enjoy Cowboy Candy

You can use these on hamburgers, stash them in sandwiches, tuck them into tacos, chop them up on baked beans, add them to rice, and bake them into cornbread. They also make a great cream cheese dip. You may even want to put one in a martini.

How to Make Candied Jalapenos

This recipe really can’t be any easier.The only thing you may need other than the ingredients is patience.Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 6 pounds Pickled Peppers
  • 5 cups Sugar
  • Canning Jars
Quick and Easy Candied Jalapenos or Cowboy Candy - CopyKat Recipes (2)
  1. The first thing, you need to do, is to drain the peppers. I opened my can and drained them for about 15 minutes before I continued.
  2. You will then dump the jalapenos into a large container.
    Quick and Easy Candied Jalapenos or Cowboy Candy - CopyKat Recipes (3)
  3. Add 5 cups of sugar to the peppers and stir them up very well.
    Quick and Easy Candied Jalapenos or Cowboy Candy - CopyKat Recipes (4)
  4. Stir the jalapenos every day for the next 5 or 6 days.

A spicy-sweet syrup will develop, and you will be ready to enjoy these. At this point, you can put these into small jars.

Tips on making candied jalapenos

  • I always save glass jars so when I want to package a few of these peppers up for someone I have something on hand to do so. Of course, you can always buy some small canning jars to put these in, but the old mustard jars work well too.
  • Use simple white sugar for this recipe, nothing too fancy.
  • You’ll also need a large colander and a large airtight container. The colander for the draining of the peppers and the airtight container for the stirring process.

How to Enjoy Cowboy Candy

You can use these on hamburgers, simply poured over cream cheese as a great snack, or you may even want to put them into a martini. And considering how expensive this can be in stores, it makes a great gift!

Quick and Easy Candied Jalapenos or Cowboy Candy - CopyKat Recipes (5)

Love Jalapeno peppers? Try these recipes

  • Homemade Jalapeno Poppers
  • Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese
  • Air Fried Jalapeno Popper Recipe
  • Jalapeno Popper Wontons
  • Stuffed Jalapenos
  • Jalapeno Cheddar Smokies
  • Jalapeno Ranch Dipping Sauce

Favorite Appetizer Recipes

  • Rotel Dip
  • Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
  • Cheese Wonton
  • White Cheese Dip
  • Chili’s Queso
  • Jezebel Sauce Recipe

There’s more! Take a look at the best appetizer recipes and more of my quick and easy recipes.

Are you ready to make Candied Jalapenos? Let me know in the comments below.

Don’t forget to follow me on FACEBOOKORINSTAGRAMor subscribe to my mailing list.

Quick and Easy Candied Jalapenos

These quick and easy candied jalapenos are perfect for gifts or your own personal enjoyment. These candied jalapenos have just the right amount of spice and sweetness.

4.94 from 15 votes

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Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Gift Recipes

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 70

Calories: 65kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

  • 6 pounds pickled jalapenos
  • 5 cups sugar

Instructions

  • Drain jalapenos in a large sieve or colander for about 15 minutes. You may need to do this in batches. You can save the drained juice for other recipes.

  • Pour drained jalapenos into a large container that can be closed with a lid, or wrapped with plastic. Pour five cups of sugar over the jalapenos and stir well. Cover container and place into the refrigerator.

  • Stir the jalapenos once a day for five days. On the sixth day, you may repackage the peppers into smaller glass jars. Store these in the refrigerator. These will stay fresh for about 60 days.

Video

Notes

  • I always save glass jars so when I want to package a few of these peppers up for someone I have something on hand to do so. Of course, you can always buy some small canning jars to put these in, but the old mustard jars work well too.
  • Use simple white sugar for this recipe, nothing too fancy.
  • You’ll also need a large colander and a large airtight container. The colander for the draining of the peppers and the airtight container for the stirring process.

Nutrition

Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 649mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 660IU | Vitamin C: 3.9mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Quick and Easy Candied Jalapenos or Cowboy Candy - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can you do with Cowboy Candy? ›

Literally anything. Top a burger, a bagel and cream cheese or a pizza. Chop and add to any salad, especially ones where you might otherwise use pickle relish — egg, chicken or potato salad, for example — or dips and sandwich spreads. They elevate nachos to a religious experience.

What are candied jalapenos good on? ›

I also stick them on sandwiches, nachos, burritos, tacos, and anything that needs a bit of added oomph. If you're planning on taking an appetizer to a party, grab some cream cheese and chips and serve these candied jalapenos on top of the cream cheese for a sweet and spicy dip.

Can you use frozen jalapeños for Cowboy Candy? ›

No one is quite sure how the catchy name came to be, but it's stuck around, just like everyone's love of 'em. Can I use frozen jalapeños for cowboy candy? Save your frozen jalapeños for another recipe—fresh is best here! If you use frozen peppers, they'll turn out far too mushy.

What do candied jalapeños taste like? ›

A little bit sweet, a whole lot of spicy, and enough flavor to make any dish complete, candied jalapenos are beyond worthy of adding to your next meal.

Is cowboy candy hot to eat? ›

Now there's another flavorful cowboy dish to add to your vocabulary: cowboy candy, a jarred condiment that brings the heat and the sweet. Essentially candied jalapeños, cowboy candy offers the tantalizing blend of sugar and spice that naturally compliments savory dishes, falling into the same class as pepper jelly.

What is cowboy candy made of? ›

What is Cowboy Candy? Cowboy candied is simply another name for candied jalapeños – jalapeño slices cooked in a sugary syrup for a delightfully sweet and spicy treat. Cowboy candy is a condiment that can be added to so many dishes, from tacos and nachos to baked beans and salads.

How do Mexicans eat jalapeños? ›

Pickled jalapeños are used for tortas. We also stuff them with tuna fish, shrimp or cheese. We eat both versions (and many more by the way -just ask for chiles rellenos Veracruz style for instance). Now, when the chillies are fresh and green, we simply call them “chiles verdes” (green chillies).

What is good to eat with cowboy candy? ›

This sweet n spicy. spread pairs well with Brie, bread, butter, burgers, Mexican food, and more.

How many jalapeños make a pound? ›

Approx 12 – 15 jalapenos peppers per pound. Our jalapenos are approximately 4-5 inches long and great for stuffing and grilling or chopping into salsas and sauces.

Are jalapeños good for you? ›

Jalapeños are rich in vitamins A and C and potassium. They also have carotene -- an antioxidant that may help fight damage to your cells – as well as folate, vitamin K, and B vitamins. Many of their health benefits come from a compound called capsaicin. That's what makes the peppers spicy.

Is eating too many jalapeños bad for you? ›

Too much heat, however, can result in unpleasant side effects like abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Drinking milk instead of water may help alleviate hot pepper symptoms.

Why are jalapeños so addictive? ›

While chili peppers contain no addictive properties, the experience of heat and pain triggers a release of pleasant endorphins. This experience is similar to a runner's high or roller coaster rides that adrenaline junkies crave. So, you might say that capsaicin makes people feel “alive”.

Is Cowboy Candy hot to eat? ›

Now there's another flavorful cowboy dish to add to your vocabulary: cowboy candy, a jarred condiment that brings the heat and the sweet. Essentially candied jalapeños, cowboy candy offers the tantalizing blend of sugar and spice that naturally compliments savory dishes, falling into the same class as pepper jelly.

What can I do with old hard candy? ›

Have Hard Candy Left Over? Try These Deliciously Creative Tips!
  1. Sweet & Spicy Trail Mix. Trail mixes have come a long way since their traditional beginnings of nuts and raisins. ...
  2. Dedicant Dessert Dips. ...
  3. Popcorn Paparazzi. ...
  4. Crushed Candy Cookies.
Apr 15, 2021

What is Cowboy Candy made of? ›

What is Cowboy Candy? Cowboy candied is simply another name for candied jalapeños – jalapeño slices cooked in a sugary syrup for a delightfully sweet and spicy treat. Cowboy candy is a condiment that can be added to so many dishes, from tacos and nachos to baked beans and salads.

Can you freeze Cowboy Candy? ›

You can also freeze cowboy candy for up to 3 months if you don't have a ton of refrigerator space. Just be sure to put it in a freezer-safe container, like plastic Tupperware.

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