A salted nut roll is an American candy bar made of a soft nougat center wrapped in a layer of caramel and rolled in salted peanuts. Despite its name, it is a confection that is assembled and coated rather than baked; it should not be confused with a "nut roll," a separate baked pastry of Central European origin made from a yeasted or cream-cheese dough rolled around a ground walnut filling.
The salted nut roll was introduced in 1933 by Pearson's Candy Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, during the Great Depression. Its combination of affordability, generous size, and rich flavor made it an immediate success, and it remains one of the company's best-selling products today.
The candy's appeal comes from the contrast between the soft, sweet nougat-and-caramel center and the crunchy, salty coating of peanuts. This sweet-and-salty balance places it alongside other American candy bars that pair caramel and nuts, though it is distinguished by its all-peanut coating and the absence of a chocolate shell.
Salted nut rolls are most closely associated with the American Midwest, particularly Minnesota, where Pearson's Candy is based, though the candy is distributed and sold nationally. It is typically eaten on its own as a snack rather than used as a cooking ingredient.