What Is Nougat, Actually?

Everyone loves a Snickers bar (it’s one of the best candy bars with nuts) and, if you don’t, I feel sorry for you. It’s the perfect combination of chocolate, peanuts, caramel, and…nougat?! How’d that get in there? We’ve all blindly accepted this ingredient because it’s just so dang good, but what is nougat, really? Here’s everything you need to know about this staple candy bar ingredient. 

What is nougat?

Nougat is a confection made from two basic ingredients: sugar and egg whites. On its own, it’s quite unique looking: a stark white bar of sugar dotted with a variety of nuts and candied fruits. 

The candy dates back to the 10th century Middle East, originating somewhere between Turkey, Iraq, and Syria. It eventually migrated through the Mediterranean into Spain, France, and Italy. Known as turron in Spain and torrone in Italy, both countries trot out the treat around Christmas time. 

Nougat spread throughout the world and was used in a variety of ways. Plain nougat was popular in America with Italian and Spanish immigrants, but the first time it was incorporated into an American chocolate bar was in 1921 with the debut of the Baby Ruth.

What is nougat made of?

Traditional nougat is made from either sugar or honey and egg whites. This mixture will frequently be combined with a variety of nuts; pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts are the most common. Sometimes, dried and candied fruit will be added.

Depending on the country of origin, nougat can look and taste pretty different. Italian nougat will sometimes have fruit flavoring and edible rice paper on the bottom of it to prevent pieces from sticking. Germanic nougat eschews the egg whites for cocoa butter, creating a confection almost entirely its own.

Commercial nougat, like the stuff that’s found in Snickers, has added ingredients like sucrose, corn syrup, and milk fat, which make it much sweeter than the traditional versions.

How is nougat made?

Sugar or honey is boiled and then mixed with whisked egg whites. The egg whites serve as an aerator, making the nougat very light; you’ll notice little air holes throughout. Once the mix has started to firm up, other ingredients like the nuts are added in.

The mixture is spread flat into a tin and pressed, allowing it to set into a big solid piece. It’s then cut into bars and enjoyed.

What candy has nougat in it?

Other than the aforementioned Baby Ruth and Snickers, many candy bars in the United States contain nougat: Milky Way, Zero Bar, Reese’s Fast Break, Toblerone, and Charleston Chew. The 3 Musketeers bar has something called “whipped nougat,” which doesn’t taste anything like the traditional kind, but it’s still good.

Is nougat gluten free?

The basic ingredients in nougat make it gluten free, but it’s always good to check your labels. 

How do you pronounce nougat?

I say “New-Gut,” emphasis on the new.