Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

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These Candied Pecans are tossed in a cinnamon sugar coating and then baked until golden brown and crunchy. They are the best snack, salad topping or homemade gift idea!

Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (1)

The Best Candied Pecans Recipe

I always look forward to making candied pecans at the holidays. They make a fun hostess gift, and they’re perfect for including in a charcuterie board or other snack spread at a holiday gathering. Besides eating them by the handful, my favorite way to enjoy candied pecans is to add them to a green salad.

My candied pecans recipe includes a generous amount of cinnamon, a touch of vanilla, and a bit of salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. An egg white binds the sugar coating to the pecans and ensures that your candied nuts have plenty of crunch.

You’ll be surprised at how quick and easy this candied pecans recipe is. And when the pecans come out of the oven? Let’s just say that they have a tendency to disappear quickly! We couldn’t stop snacking on these – they’re deliciously addicting!

Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2)

Ingredients

Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (3)

  • Pecans: You’ll need raw pecan halves for this recipe. If your pecans are frozen, let them thaw at room temperature before beginning the recipe.
  • Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar makes the best candied pecans. The brown sugar adds a delicious caramel flavor, while the white sugar brings pure sweetness.
  • Cinnamon: A generous amount of cinnamon makes these candied pecans extra delicious.
  • Salt: Salt is essential for that sweet salty flavor combo that makes these pecans so irresistible. I use coarse Kosher salt, but sea salt would also work well.
  • Vanilla Extract: For a touch of warm vanilla flavor.
  • Egg White: A beaten egg white helps the cinnamon sugar coating to stick to the pecans. It’s essential for making sweet, crunchy glazed pecans!

Find the full printable recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.

How to Make Candied Pecans

  1. Whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt. Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (4)
  2. In a large bowl, vigorously whisk the egg white until foamy. Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (5)
  3. Whisk the vanilla into the egg white.
  4. Add the pecans and stir to coat them with the egg white. Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (6)
  5. Pour the sugar mixture over the pecans. Stir to evenly coat the nuts. Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (7)
  6. Spread them out in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  7. Bake at 275° F for about 40 minutes, tossing/flipping the pecans halfway through the baking time. Pecans are done when they are fragrant and lightly toasted.
  8. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet. The sugar coating will harden as the toasted pecans cool.

Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (8)

Recipe Variations

  • Add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the sugar mixture for a spicy kick.
  • Replace half or all of the ground cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice for pumpkin spiced pecans.
  • For a lower sugar recipe, reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup. I tested the recipe with 1/4 cup less granulated sugar and the pecans were good, but definitely less sweet than the full sugar version.

Ways to Use Candied Pecans

There are so many ways to enjoy these sweet salty pecans! I like to snack on them when I’m craving something sweet, but they’re also a perfect topping for some of our favorite recipes.

  • Add them to salads. They’re especially delicious with this Spinach Salad with Quinoa and this Butternut Squash Salad.
  • They make Pumpkin Pancakes and French Toast extra special.
  • Sprinkle them on Roasted Butternut Squash or Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
  • They’re the perfect salty sweet ice cream topping.
  • Candied pecans are a fun homemade gift idea.

Storage Instructions

Store candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two months.

Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (9)

Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (10)

5 from 1 rating

Candied Pecans

Servings: 16 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

Candied Pecans are a favorite treat for the holidays and you'll love this easy recipe. These Candied Pecans are tossed in a cinnamon sugar coating and then roasted until golden brown and crunchy. Enjoy them as a snack or salad topping, add them to a charcuterie board, or give them as a homemade gift.

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups raw pecan halves, 16 ounces

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 275° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt.

  • In a large bowl, vigorously whisk the egg white until foamy. Add the vanilla extract and whisk to combine. Add the pecans and stir to coat with the egg white.

  • Pour the sugar mixture over the pecans and stir until evenly coated.

  • Spread pecans in an even layer on the parchment-lined baking sheet.

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes and then use a spatula to toss and flip the pecans. Spread in an even layer again and continue baking for 17-20 more minutes, until pecans are fragrant and lightly toasted.

  • Let cool completely on the baking sheet. The sugar coating will harden as the pecans cool.

Notes

  • Pecans may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Or store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two months.

Serving: 1/4 cup, Calories: 224kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Sodium: 114mg, Potassium: 115mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 15IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

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posted by Kristine Rosenblatt on Oct 10, 2021

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2 comments on “Candied Pecans”

  1. jacquie dickinson Reply

    Lovely and so glad to see a facility to adjust portioning.

  2. Kim Reply

    These are really tasty, I also added a 1/2 tsp of cayenne which was really good, added just enough spice without overpowering

Leave a comment »

Candied Pecans Recipe (Easy to Make!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Why are my candied pecans soggy? ›

Why are my candied pecans soft and sticky? If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

What is the difference between candied pecans and praline pecans? ›

What is the difference between candied pecans and praline pecans? – Candied pecans are pecans coated in egg whites, sugar, and spices, then baked in the oven until crispy. Pralines are a type of candy made with crunchy pecan halves dropped in a caramel base.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

Under-cooking the pecans is the likely cause of stickiness, but the risk is low when they're oven-baked. After the sugar-coated nuts have darkened and turned very fragrant, about 20 minutes in the oven, stir the pecans and separate any pieces that have stuck together. Continue to bake for an additional 20 minutes.

What are glazed pecans made of? ›

Candied pecans make a fabulous snack for holiday guests and parties. These glazed pecans are coated with a buttery brown sugar syrup and then baked to crunchy perfection. All you need is to boil butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar together, add the pecans, and then bake until brown.

How do you take the bitterness out of pecans? ›

Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking. To "sweeten" the pecan meats (kernels), simply put the pecan kernels in a bowl and fill with lukewarm water. Stir and tumble the meats in the water for several minutes and you will see the discoloration in the water.

How to make candied pecans less sticky? ›

Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt makes these taste salty-sweet. If you'd prefer to not taste the salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325° F and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

What kind of pecans are best for baking? ›

Pawnee. Commonly grown in Georgia and Texas, the Pawnee pecan has a rich, buttery flavor and excellent quality, making it ideal for baking. This nut ripens early in autumn, making it one of the first varieties of the year to market and widely available for consumers.

Why are my pecan pralines gritty? ›

Avoid The Humidity

Plan to make your pralines on a cool, dry day. If it's humid or rainy, as it was the first time I made pralines, the candy might end up with a more sugary, grainy texture.

Are pecans good for you? ›

Pecans are a type of tree nut that's rich in several key nutrients, including fiber, copper, thiamine, and zinc. They've been associated with many potential health benefits, including improved blood sugar control, heart health, and brain function.

How many cups is one pound of pecans? ›

Measurements and Substitutions

If you happen to have pecans in their shells, remember that 1 pound equals 3 cups shelled, about 4 cups pecan halves, and about 3 3/4 cups chopped nuts. Equivalents to know when using shelled pecans are that 1 pound equals 4 cups and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped.

Can dogs have pecans? ›

These nuts are toxic for dogs. Eating them can result in pets becoming sick and needing immediate veterinary care. “The reason pecans are considered toxic is that they contain a compound called juglone, also found in walnuts, that is harmful to dogs,” advises Dr.

Why do you boil pecans before cracking? ›

Boiling pecans before cracking them can actually help prevent the shell from shattering.

How long can you keep candied pecans? ›

How long will candied pecans keep? They will keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature, at least three weeks in the refrigerator, or up to two months in the freezer. No matter where you store them, keep in a tightly sealed, airtight container.

What does China do with pecans? ›

The “pecan-gwo” as it is called in China is primarily found served as a snack in-shell. Chinese pecan roasters slightly crack the pecans and then roast them to a warm temperature.

Are pecans part of the Dirty Dozen? ›

Where do Pecans and Nuts Fall on the EWG List? While there are many foods that are beneficial to buy organic, the Dirty Dozen™ list often doesn't contain pecans because they're so far down the row.

Why are my pecans mushy? ›

Humidity above these values can cause kernel molding and pecan texture deterioration (pecans become soft and rubber-like), whereas lower humidities will cause excessive drying. In-shell pecan kernels will darken under high humidity as a result of the tannic acid being dissolved from the shell lining.

How do you fix soggy nuts? ›

Just toasting them in a dry pan or oven should be enough to revive them, but they'll also go in any recipe that requires nuts. We got through most of ours by toasting them with spices, to eat as nibbles or to add crunch to soups, stews and salads.

How do you keep pecan pie from getting soggy? ›

5 Ways to Prevent Soggy Pie Crust
  1. Blind Bake. The most common way to ward off a soggy pie crust is by a process called blind baking. ...
  2. Brush With Egg. ...
  3. Brush With Chocolate. ...
  4. Bake on a Hot Baking Sheet. ...
  5. Keep Moisture Out.
May 1, 2019

Why is my pecan pie mushy? ›

Failing to bake your pie at a high enough temperature could result in a raw, soggy crust. Because it was not baked at a high enough temperature, the butter in the crust begins to melt into the dough. To avoid this, always start your pecan pie at a high enough temperature, such as 425 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

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