This homemade cowboy candy recipe, or candied jalapenos, is so easy, perfect for desserts or snacking, nice and sweet with a touch of heat. They're a great blend of sweet and heat. Basically sliced jalapenos preserved in a seasoned simple syrup, they're perfect for garnishing cocktails, topping corn bread or cupcakes, or popping into your guacamole.
Candied Jalapenos Recipe (Homemade Cowboy Candy)
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 eat a whole jar's worth in a sitting.
It's a classic recipe, really, and a great way to preserve your summer jalapeno harvest.
You can preserve them in a water bath and keep them in the pantry, or just store them in the refrigerator for a few months easily, which I've included in the recipe card.
What Is Cowboy Candy?
Cowboy candy is another name for candied jalapenos. They are essentially sliced jalapenos that are simmered and sweetened in a seasoned simple syrup.
They're a perfect combination of sweet and spicy and they're ideal for quick sweet snacks or garnishing. The candying process also helps to preserve them, too.
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) - The Recipe Method
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 sugar, vinegar and seasonings 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 them 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.
Leftover Candied Jalapenos Syrup
If you have any leftover syrup, 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 or a slice of pie.
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!
Just quit stealing them off the plate, Mike!
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.
- Removing the Seeds and Innards: 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 Homemade 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
- Candied Jalapenos
- Jalapeno Cornbread
- Homemade Chamoy Sauce
- Cowboy Butter
People also asked about these similar topics: Pickled Jalapenos.
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 (Homemade 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
This recipe was updated on 8/18/2023 to include new photos and a video. It was previously published on 5/19/2014.
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
I’m 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 jalapeños 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!!
Adam says
Can you substitute honey for sugar?
Mike Hultquist says
You sure can, Adam! Works great!
Jim says
I might be out there but I have an idea to take the finished product and blend it into a hot sauce. Thoughts?
Mike Hultquist says
You can do that, Jim. The result will be sweet and tasty. Let me know if you enjoy it.