Sweet and Spicy Cowboy Candy (a.k.a Candied Jalapenos)

Sweet and Spicy Cowboy Candy recipe, a.k.a. Candied Jalapeños. Add a layer to cream cheese to make a quick and easy Christmas appetizer Recipes. Spicy jalapeño rings are marinated in a sweet simple syrup to create a flavorful and versatile condiment.

We LOVE our jalapeño recipes here at Foodie and Wine. One of our long time reader favorites is our Pickled Peppers Recipe and last week we posted the recipe to our beloved Cranberry Jalapeno Dip. Next up is a classic we’ve been making for over 20 years – Sweet and Spicy Cowboy Candy Jalapeños, better known as Candied Jalapeños. 

What is Cowboy Candy?

Cowboy Candy is something special. Spicy jalapeno peppers are marinated in a sweet sugar glaze to create a powerhouse condiment. The jalapeños soften, yet retain their heat, which is balanced by the sugar-based glaze. This recipe is considered a small batch Cowboy Candy, but you can easily double or tripe to make large batch Cowboy Candy. Many of the ingredients you may already have on-hand if you’re into pickling recipes.

Cowboy Candy Uses

This candied fruit recipe can be utilized in many different ways. Here are a few of my favorites:

Candied Jalapeno Dip

Dump a jar out over cream cheese and serve with crackers and bread. You could also serve it with pickled peaches. The combo would be amazing.

Baked Beans 

Add them to your favorite baked beans recipe (our favorite – Slow Cooker Refried Beans )

Grilled Meat

Marinate and/or top your favorite beef recipes and pork recipes with these bad boys. Think how amazing this sweet and spicy  glaze would be on chicken wing recipes. 

Sandwiches and Hamburgers

Two words: Grilled Cheese.

Cocktail Garnish

These would be awesome on top of a Mango Michelada or Michelada. 

If you’ve ever looked up Cowboy Candy for sale, you’ll know it’s not cheap. One popular brand on Amazon charges $12 per jar! This fruit candy recipe pencils to less than 25% of that and includes the exact same ingredients. Of course those jars are ready to eat upon delivery whereas making it from home requires some patience. 

How To Make Cowboy Candy

A few tips to note before making this recipe:

Seeds in or seeds out? As with many jalapeno recipes, it’s up to you. It won’t affect the recipe other than the texture of the seeds. 

Try and let your jars of cowboy candy develop for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator before enjoying, if possible. You can absolutely wait just a week, but a good month really brings out the texture and flavor.

There are three options for slicing up the jalapeños. All options are great – it really comes down to how you like to work in the kitchen. I pick “easy to clean” over “quick” any day of the week, but you may be the opposite.

1. If you’re a long time reader you know I detest whipping out my Mandoline slicer. Using it is great, but cleaning it in a safe way is a a hassle. But it works really well here.

2. Add the peppers, one at a time, through the feed chute of your food processor.

3. Whip out some gloves and cut them by hand with a sharp knife. I actually prefer this method. Sure it’s tedious but it’s less “stuff” to clean.

I’d love to hear how you’re planning on using Cowboy Candy! Leave a comment with your ideas and recommendations. 

Next time you have a bunch of jalapeños and are asking yourself “What Can I Make With A Bunch of Jalapeños” think Cowboy Candy! 

Print Recipe

5 from 18 votes

Cowboy Candy (a.k.a. Candied Jalapeños)

Make this sweet and spicy Cowboy Candy recipe, a.k.a. Candied Jalapeños, to make the best cream cheese dip for your holiday gathering. Spicy jalapeño rings are marinated in a sweet simple syrup. Top your sandwiches, burgers and nachos with this flavorful and versatile condiment. It would also mix well with Little Smokies in Grape Jelly

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time45 mins

Course: Condiments

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Canned Recipes, Christmas Appetizer, Dip Recipe, Holiday Appetizer, Jalapeno Recipes, Mason Jar Recipes, Spicy Recipes

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 314kcal

Author: Darcey Olson

Cost: $5

Ingredients

• 1 Lb Jalapeño Peppers
• 3 Cups White Sugar
• 1 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 tsp Granulated Garlic
• 1 tsp Chili Powder (*Note 1)
• 1/8 tsp Ground Turmeric Powder
• 1/8 tsp Celery Seeds

Instructions

• Cut the jalapeño peppers into 1/8" round slices.
• In a large sauce pan, add the sugar, vinegar, garlic, chili powder, turmeric and celery seeds and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer until the sugar mixture has a thick syrup consistency, approx. 5 minutes.
• Add the pepper slices to the sauce pan and toss to coat. Raise the heat to return to a hard boil. Once a rolling boil is achieved, immediately reduce the heat again and simmer for 4 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the jalapeños to clean canning jars. Leave about 1/4" of space at the top.
• Reduce the syrup, one last time, by bring it to a full rolling boil for 5 minutes.
• Ladle the syrup over the jalapeños until the syrup reaches about 1/4" from the top.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Let the jalapeños marinate for a minimum of one week, before enjoying. (*Note 2)

EQUIPMENT

Mandoline

Mason Jars

Notes

Note 1 - Chili Powder is optional. Most of the major cowboy candy producers includes this ingredient in their recipes, but feel free to omit.

Note 2- Try and let your jars of cowboy candy develop for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator before enjoying, if possible. You can absolutely wait just a week, but a good month really brings out the texture and flavor.

Try subbing in smoked cream cheese in place of plain cream cheese for an added kick.

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 77g | Vitamin A: 611IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg