- May 21, 2022
- 30 Minute Meals
Small Batch Cowboy Candy
Learn how to make cowboy candied jalapenos with this simple small batch recipe that’s perfect for anything from a weekend brunch side to an ideal garnish for your next BBQ platter.
If you’ve never tried Cowboy Candy, get ready to fall in love with the perfect blend of sweet heat. This small batch recipe transforms fresh jalapeños into sticky, spicy-sweet candied peppers that pack a ton of flavor in every bite.
Whether you spoon it over smoked cream cheese, pile it on smash burgers, or tuck it into charcuterie boards, this homemade version delivers big taste without needing to can a giant batch. It’s quick to make, easy to store in the fridge, and totally addictive. Consider yourself warned.
Learn everything you need to know about whipping up this quick and easy side below and how you can incorporate it into everything from cornbread, salads, or deck out your next BBQ platter.
Supplies Needed
- Large pot
- Knife and Cutting Board
- Measuring Cups
- Gloves
- Canning Jar
- Slotted Spoon
What Is Cowboy Candy?
Cowboy candy is a fun way to say “candied jalapenos”. Just like you can candy a variety of other fruits and vegetables, you can do the same with jalapenos.
All that’s needed is to thinly slice your jalapenos and combine all the ingredients to create a spicy, simple syrup.
What makes this especially delicious is the sweet and spicy flavor combination that elevates a lot of other recipes.
A small batch version of this recipe is ideal when you have some leftover jalapenos to use up in the fridge, or maybe you have a smaller harvest of peppers if you grow them in your garden.
Candied Jalapeño Ingredients:
The ingredients mostly consist of pantry staple items. See the notes below to determine potential substitutions for this recipe:
- Fresh Jalapenos: Small batch calls for 4-6 jalapenos. Slice your jalapenos in 1/4 inch pieces (seeds included).
- Apple Cider Vinegar: You can also substitute with white vinegar if you prefer.
- Granulated White Sugar (or sweetener of choice): Swap out classic sugar for brown sugar, honey, or a low-carb sweetener alternative (like allulose).
- Spices (Bay leaves, salt, paprika)
- Water
How To Make Candied Jalapenos:
This recipe truly can’t be simpler, but it is important to make note and follow a few very important steps to get this right!
Here is what you need to do:
- First, cut your jalapeno slices (leaving the seeds intact) into thin rounds. Too thick and they will be too undercooked, too thin and they tend to shrivel and become a little mushy. Be sure to wear gloves to prevent the oils from burning your skin!
- In a large pot, start by creating your simple syrup mixture. Over medium-high heat, combine the water, vinegar, sugar, and spices. Bring to a full rolling boil.
- After the boiling begins, add the pepper slices and then immediately turn off the heat and move to a cooler burner.
- The pot should sit in the hot syrup mixture for 15 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the peppers into the canning jar. Then add the syrup and pour just to the top rim of the jar.
- Cool the jalapenos faster by making an ice water bath if desired, and then store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
What Do I Eat It On?
While you can snack on these just as they are, here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy these peppers:
- Pellet Smoker Brisket
- Smoked Queso
- Candied Bacon Crackers
- Honey Jalapeno Candied Bacon
- Smoked Cornbread
Feel free to have fun and enjoy these with eggs, on avocado toast, on your favorite sandwiches or even mixed up in a tuna salad for a kick!
If you find yourself with leftover syrup as well, mix it with your favorite tequila, some citrus juice, and a little triple sec for a quick and easy spicy margarita as well!
How Long Will Candied Jalapenos Last?
If you’d like to make these shelf-stable and store them for a longer period of time, you can properly can them follow this method.
I prefer small batch versions of this recipe to be simply prepped and stored in the fridge for up to two weeks.
The longer the mixture sits, the less spicy it becomes as well. So if you prefer these on the sweeter side, let them sit for at least a week before enjoying.
Can I freeze them?
Freezing is an option here if you still find yourself with extra peppers. Simply place the jar sealed tightly into your freezer for up to 3 months.
Defrost only in the fridge or in a sink filled with cold water. Be cautious when freezing glass!
Cowboy candied jalapenos are a fun and easy way to add a little heat to your next party or get-together.
If you’re looking for something different to bring to the table, this recipe is worth trying out.
And if you do give it a go, be sure to share photos of your finished product in the comments below – we love seeing them!
More Recipes To Try
Keto Candied Bacon with Bourbon
Homemade Jalapeno Honey Butter
Small Batch Cowboy Candy
Ingredients
- 4-6 Jalapenos
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1 1/2 cups Sugar low carb sweetener if preferred
- 2 small Bay Leaves
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Smoky Paprika
Instructions
- Wearing gloves to protect your hands, remove the stems off your jalapenos and then slice each jalapeno into 1/4 inch rounds.
- In a pot, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, and spices. Bring it to a boil on high heat.
- Transfer the sliced peppers to the pot and immediately turn off the heat. Let the peppers sit for 15 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, place all the peppers in an 8 oz. jar. Then pour the syrup mixture over all the peppers until you meet the rim of the glass and they are fully covered.
- Seal tightly with a lid and place it into the fridge and use on your favorite foods, with BBQ, on smoked cream cheese and more!
How long do they have to sit before eating?
I like to let them sit until they hit room temperature, which usually takes a few hours and allows the syrup to take on more flavor. You can eat them immediately after this but they will continue to taste better as time goes on. Hope that helps!
We don’t really hot, spicy food. Would removing most of the seeds calm it down?
Yes that would help for sure!
This is the best recipe for cowboy candy!
I am addicted to this !!
Could I use an airtight container? I don’t have any jars that I can use
Yes, you can but glass is going to be best here.
Do you transfer the bay leaves into the individual jars as well or remove before adding the syrup? Thank you!
Hi Colleen,
I usually remove them! Thanks for asking that question, I’ll add a note to the directions as well.
I really want to make these. How do I make them shelf stable? Would I can them like I do pickles?
Yes, sterilize your jars and can as you would pickled items.
What could I do so that the syrup would be a bit thicker and not so runny?
If you add more sugar to it (aka double simple) it will thicken more.
Thank for recipe. I had about 15 jalepenos from my garden that I needed use somehow. I made a 1 cup red batch and a 1 cup green batch and 2- 1/2 cup mixed. Great for up coming holidays.
I used honey for the sweetner and had several cups left after covering the peppers. I boiled it down with 1\2tsp. Chipolte powder and about 3/4 cup dried cherries. Yummy!Hated to waste the honey.
This sounds amazing!