This homemade cowboy candy recipe, or candied jalapenos, takes just 15 minutes to make. It's easy and versatile, perfect for desserts or snacking, nice and sweet with a touch of heat. Basically sliced jalapenos preserved in a seasoned simple syrup, they're great for garnishing cocktails, topping cornbread or cupcakes, or popping into your guacamole.
We're making a Homemade Cowboy Candy recipe today, my friends. I love DIY cowboy candy, otherwise known as Candied Jalapenos. They're sweet and spicy and I can just about eat a whole jar's worth in one sitting.
It's a classic recipe, really, and a great way to preserve your summer jalapeno harvest.
You can store them in the refrigerator for a few months easily, or preserve them in a water bath and keep them in the pantry, which I've included in the recipe card.
What Is Cowboy Candy?
Cowboy candy is the popular nickname for candied jalapenos, fresh jalapeño slices simmered in a seasoned sugar syrup until they're tender, sticky, and preserved. The result is a sweet, spicy condiment that works as a snack, a topping, a garnish, or a mix-in. The candying process softens the heat considerably while locking in all that jalapeño flavor, which is exactly why people can't stop eating them straight out of the jar.
The term has been around for ages, but the recipe is so popular, a small company even trademarked the common name. This homemade version is far superior. Everything is better homemade, isn't it? And super easy!
Why buy this stuff when you can SO EASILY make it at home?
Let's talk about how to make cowboy candy, shall we?
Homemade Cowboy Candy Ingredients (Candied Jalapenos)
You will need the following ingredients to make Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos):
- Jalapeno Peppers.
- Sugar.
- Apple Cider Vinegar.
- Seasonings. I use chili powder, turmeric, ground ginger and others. Use your favorites. Celery seed and garlic powder are popular.
How to Make Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos) - Step by Step
First, slice the jalapenos into ¼-inch round slices. You can remove the seeds if you'd like, but I make them without coring. You should wear gloves if handling hot peppers bothers your skin.
Stir together the vinegar, sugar and spices in a pan or a large pot.
Bring to a full rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer until the sugar dissolves into a gooey syrup.
Add the jalapeno pepper slices and mix to evenly coat the the sliced peppers with the syrup.
Reduce heat and simmer them for 4 minutes. They will darken a bit as they slightly cook and absorb some of the sugars after you add the pepper slices.
Transfer the candied jalapeno peppers to cleaned pint-sized jars, then fill the jars with the remaining syrup. Just pour the boiling syrup right in after you transfer the peppers with a slotted spoon.
You can cool it slightly first if you'd like.
Wipe the rim of the jar then cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Boom! That's it! I love my homemade cowboy candy. Great stuff!
Makes about 3.5 cups.
Packed into three 1/2 pint jars.
How to Can Cowboy Candy (Water Bath Method)
If you want to preserve your cowboy candy for long-term pantry storage, water bath canning is the way to go. The process takes about 20 extra minutes but the payoff is worth it. Properly sealed jars keep for a year or longer at room temperature, and they make great gifts.
You'll want standard half-pint mason jars and a large pot with a steamer rack. The key things to watch for:
- Leave ¼ inch of headspace
- Make sure the jars are fully submerged by at least 3 inches of water
- Listen for that satisfying pop as the lids seal
Full step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.
Leftover Candied Jalapenos Syrup
If you have any leftover syrup, Don't toss it! Save it. Use it to make yourself a cocktail or a spicy mocktail. It's quite delicious! Pour it over cupcakes, even potato salad. Get creative!
Serving Candied Jalapenos
I like to simply snack on my candied jalapenos straight out of the jar as a quick sweet snack. They are also ideal for garnishing. Pop them on top of your favorite Corn Bread Recipe, on top of a cupcake, a slice of pie, or ice cream.
It's super awesome over cream cheese. Smear some cream cheese over crackers and top them with candied jalapenos. Amazingly delicious. You can even mix them into a serving bowl with cream cheese for a candied jalapeno cream cheese dip.
Garnish a cocktail with them. Margaritas, anyone? Chop and swirl some into your favorite guacamole recipe for a touch of sweetness.
Use them to top off hamburgers and hot dogs. So many ways to serve up your candied jalapeños!
Recipe Tips & Notes
This has turned out to be an amazingly popular recipe. They're really THAT good. I'll post here as questions pop up. Here is some additional information to help you along.
- Wear Gloves: Peppers can cause skin irritation and burning. Some people are more sensitive than others. The oils from the peppers can get onto your skin when handling them, and especially cutting them. It is best to wear gloves when handling hot peppers. If you notice any skin burn, go to this page - How to Stop the Chili Pepper Burn.
- Slicing the Jalapenos: You'll be chopping a LOT of jalapeño peppers for this recipe. Use a mandolin or food processor with a slicing accessory to save some chopping time.
- Milder Candied Jalapenos: If your concerned about the overall heat, you can core out the jalapenos before slicing them. Most of the heat resides in the pepper innards.
How Long Does Cowboy Candy Last? Storage Information.
Candied jalapenos will last about 3 months in the fridge without processing. If you process them in a water bath in canning jars, they can last easily a year in the pantry until you are ready to open them.
I've included how to process them with a water bath below and in the recipe card.
Can I Make This Recipe with Other Peppers?
Absolutely. You can "candy" any type of chili pepper. Just slice them into rings and proceed with the recipe. Some peppers are obviously larger than others, though. Chop those up into smaller pieces.
The process is great with spicier peppers. I personally love candied habaneros. Crazy delicious.
The candying process tamps the heat quite a bit with candied jalapenos or any pepper, so they won't be as spicy as you might expect.
Try making these with superhot chili peppers as well, like scorpions or Reapers. Oh baby!
Try Some of My Other Spicy Dessert Recipes
- Mexican Brownies
- Chocolate Covered Jalapeno Peppers
- Jalapeno Cornbread
- Homemade Chamoy Sauce
- Cowboy Butter
People also asked about these similar topics: Tangy Pickled Jalapenos.
This Recipe Is In our Cookbook - FLAVOR MADNESS
Did you know that you can find this recipe in our new cookbook FLAVOR MADNESS? It's waiting for you on PAGE 118.
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS.Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Candied Jalapenos Recipe (Cowboy Candy)
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound jalapeno peppers about 10-12 average sized jalapenos
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- First, slice the jalapeno peppers into ¼-inch round slices.
- Stir together the sugar, vinegar and seasonings in a pan. Bring to a quick boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer until the sugar dissolves into a gooey syrup.
- Add the jalapeno pepper slices and mix to evenly coat them with the syrup.
- Simmer them about 4 minutes. They will darken a bit as they slightly cook and absorb some of the sugars.
- Transfer the candied jalapeno peppers to cleaned jars, then fill the jars with the remaining syrup.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. You can eat them right away, but it is best to let the flavors develop at least 1 week in the refrigerator before eating.
FOR PRESERVING/JARRING
- First, clean your jars and lids using a steamer rack in a 16-quart pot. Place the jars on the rack and fill the pot with water, enough to cover the jars. Do not let the jars touch the bottom of the pot, as the heat can cause the glass to crack.
- Bring the water to a boil and boil the jars for 10 minutes. Remove the jars with tongs when you’re ready to use them.
- Prepare the candied jalapenos per the instructions above.
- When the candied jalapenos are ready, scoop them into the jars, leaving ¼ inch head space.
- Clean the lids with soap and hot water, then place them onto the jars. Secure them with cleaned canning rings. Wipe the rims clean.
- Place the filled jars back into the hot water bath, onto the steamer rack, ensuring the jars are covered with 3 inches of water.
- Return the water to a boil and process them for 10 minutes. For higher altitudes, process them for additional time (at least an extra 10 minutes). Remove the jars with tongs and tighten the screw caps.
- The jar lids should make a popping sound as they seal. If a lid doesn’t seal for some reason, you can reprocess it, or store the jar in the refrigerator.
- Invert the jars to test for leaks. Flip them upright after 10 minutes and allow to cool.
- Store the jars in a cool, dry place. They will last a year or longer this way. Once you open them, however, keep the jars in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you eat candied jalapenos with?
Candied jalapenos are incredibly versatile. The most popular way is spooned over cream cheese with crackers, the perfect combination. Beyond that, they're great on burgers, hot dogs, nachos, and pulled pork sandwiches. Try them on cornbread, folded into guacamole for a touch of sweetness, or as a cocktail garnish on a margarita. Honestly, once you have a jar in the fridge, you'll find yourself reaching for them constantly.
Can I make cowboy candy with other peppers?
Absolutely. The same method works with any chili pepper. Just slice them into rings and follow the recipe as written. Serrano peppers are great if you want more heat. Habaneros are fantastic if you want to go seriously spicy. The candying process tames them more than you'd expect. You can even use a mix of peppers for color and variety. For larger peppers like poblanos, chop them into smaller pieces rather than rings.
Can I make low-carb cowboy candy?
Yes, with one swap. Replace the granulated sugar with a 1:1 cup-for-cup sugar substitute. Allulose works best here because it works most like real sugar in a hot syrup and won't crystallize. Monk fruit blends and erythritol-based sweeteners work too, though they can turn a bit grainy once refrigerated. The syrup won't be quite as thick or sticky as the original, but the flavor is still great.
What do I do with the leftover cowboy candy syrup?
Don't toss it. That syrup is liquid gold. Use it as a cocktail mixer (it's incredible in a margarita or a spicy mule), drizzle it over cornbread or biscuits, stir it into a vinaigrette, or brush it on grilled chicken in the last few minutes of cooking. You can also pour it back over a fresh batch of sliced jalapeños and let them soak, essentially a second batch for free.
This post was updated on 4/20/2026 to include new information, including FAQs. The recipe was not changed.
Janis says
I made two batches for six 4oz jars. I ran out of white sugar on the second batch (had 3/4 cup) so I added 1/4 cup of brown sugar. I'll be interested to see if there's any difference. Heck, next time I may add molasses or honey! These are so dang good.
Mike Hultquist says
Outstanding! Glad you're enjoying them, Janis! I love it.
Janis says
I took a jar to my weekly mahjong game today. We polished it off with crackers and goat cheese, then a friend and I started dipping cubed gouda and Manchego into the sauce! My friend said she was going to use the leftover liquid for a salad dressing. I told her I'd bring another jar to lunch tomorrow. I'm going to keep making these and have them always on hand because they're positively addictive!
Mike Hultquist says
I know, right? So addictive! Thanks for the follow up, Janis! I love to hear it.
Altie says
Hi Mike!
Can the "syrup" left after the jalapenos are eaten be re-used for new jalapenos? Maybe after boiling?
Mike Hultquist says
Hi, Altie. You can definitely reuse it for sweetening dishes, and you can candy some new jalapenos, but I wouldn't reuse it more than once after cooling. Enjoy!!
Jeff Cook says
Hey man, love everything about your site.
I have an idea that I'll explore soon. I make homemade Greek yogurt and want to make homemade frozen yogurt. I'm thinking of a frozen yogurt with sweet and sour fruit but with a kick. A fruity frozen yogurt with cowboy candy. Just to add some kick. Ideas?
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome, Jeff. Thanks. I think that sounds fantastic. Cowboy candy would be perfect here. Also try my homemade chili crisp! https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/chili-crisp/
Mary S. says
I dice these up and add to my homemade guacamole - gives a nice kick!
Mike H. says
Love it. Enjoy, Mary!
Rubye Doyal says
Love this. I have made at least 10 jars my grandson wanted me to make him some for this 20 th birthday. Best way to use up all the peppers. Going to make double the amount I made this year.
Mike Hultquist says
Glad to help, Rubye! Thanks for sharing!!
Mark says
I've got a few dried arbols, pasilla, guajillo and anchos left over can these go in or will it mess it up?
Mike Hultquist says
Mark, you'll get very different results trying to candy dried pods. Since they are dried, they can be tough to eat unless you rehydrate them, in which case they become soft and mushy, more appropriate for a sauce.
Natalie says
Do these come out soft? Any ideas for (hard) candied peppers?
Mike Hultquist says
These are pretty soft, Natalie. Making hard candy is a different process, which I have not done. Sorry.
Gregg says
Hi Mike: Great recipe! I had a boatload of extra syrup left over (I made 4 batches , so I decided to boil it right down and caramelize it! Poured a thin layer of caramel into silicone muffin tins and let it cool. Once cooled, popped right out for an extra chewy caramel treat with a kick! You could also simply put quarter-sized drops onto parchment paper for a smaller treat. Great way to use up any extra syrup. Thanks again!
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Gregg! Glad you liked it! Great way to use the extra syrup. I love that!
Joyce Knight says
Hi I have quite a few Jalapeno Lemon Spice peppers, can they be used to make Cowboy candy? I also have a number of other Jalapeno Spice peppers and ones that have turned red. Can I mix them together and make C.C.?
Mike H. says
Joyce, you can definitely mix those. The combination will add a colorful and flavorful twist to the recipe, with slight variations in heat and a subtle citrus note from the Lemon Spice peppers, but the process and result will remain largely the same.
ines says
I always make jalapeno candies for my son in law, who is already yearning for them every year. and I enjoy the mexican brownies so much! so, all in all I have to say thanks for your wonderful recipes!
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks so much, Ines! I love to hear it! You are the best!
CJ says
Iām growing hatch chili peppers in Tucson, and my oldest plant is on its 3rd year producing, next plant is 2nd year producing and 3rd plant is 1st year, love candied jalapeƱos so will be doing this with my hatch! Thanks for sharing!!
Mike Hultquist says
I love to hear it, CJ! Thanks!
Peter Piper says
Just made these today, for the first time...YUM!!!
SIDE NOTE: turmeric does stain, so wear an apron to protect your cloths, and don't use any plastic utensils, measuring cups, etc. you don't want stained.
I suggest tasting it after you simmer it (but before you add the peppers), to adjust the flavor to your liking, as before it simmers, the vinegar flavor is strong, and its not a good representation of the final flavor.
as a first timer it was hard to know the right consistency, because you aren't trying to make maple syrup, but a more liquid texture. what I did was I dipped a metal spoon in the syrup and let it drip down the spoon. when it kinda stayed on the spoon and didn't just immediately drip off, is when I added the peppers
I also added some garlic powder and some mexican oregano, but it didn't distract from the original sweet flavor.
Thank you for the recipes, and all your hard work. I have already made a couple other jalapeno recipes of yours , and everyone so far tastes really good.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks for sharing!! Very happy you enjoyed it.
Rubye says
I have made two batches of these and my son wanted me to make more. Everyone just loves these. Thank you for this recipe and many more.
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome, Rubye! Glad it was enjoyed!!