Nougat is a family of confections made with sugar or honey, whipped egg whites, and roasted nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts. Sometimes, chopped candied fruit is also added. The consistency of nougat is chewy, and it is used in a variety of candy bars and chocolates. The word nougat comes from Occitan pan nogat, which means "nut bread".

Nougat can be made in different ways and with different ingredients depending on the country and the recipe. For example, in the United States and the United Kingdom, the nougat that appears in many candy bars differs from traditional recipes and consists of sucrose and corn syrup aerated with a whipping agent (such as egg white, hydrolyzed soya protein, or gelatine); it may also include vegetable fats and milk powder. Typically, it is combined with nuts, caramel, or chocolate. In contrast, French European nougat does not have any milk or milk powder.

Nougat is a classic and ubiquitous candy ingredient found in many well-known chocolate bars like Milky Way, Snickers, and Baby Ruth. Despite its widespread presence, nougats actual identity and composition remain somewhat enigmatic. At its simplest, nougat is a whipped confection of sugar or honey and egg whites, often sprinkled with roasted nuts. However, the concept of nougat is broader than this basic definition. Even within individual countries, recipes for nougat can vary from one region or town to another.

In summary, nougat is a confection made with sugar or honey, whipped egg whites, and roasted nuts. It can be made in different ways and with different ingredients depending on the country and the recipe. It is used in a variety of candy bars and chocolates and is a classic and ubiquitous candy ingredient.