Candied Pecans
These quick and easy candied pecans are the perfect sweet snack for munching, adding to a salad, or topping your favorite dessert. 4 ingredients are all you need!
Candied Pecans are the best snack for when you are trying to make healthy choices but still have a sweet tooth. I love a handful of these to curb my cravings!
Easy Candied Pecans Recipe
You are going to love this recipe! It transforms already delicious pecans into a crispy, sugary, tasty snack. Enjoy it plain or add it to a variety of other recipes.
I love them in salads and toss them in my trail mixes. Best part is that it uses simple ingredients and no corn syrup!
Sometimes called caramelized pecans, this delicious recipe makes a great gift during the holiday season. Pour a batch into a mason jar and add a pretty ribbon and tag.
If you like these, check out my gingersnap pecans, candied almonds, and this post on how to toast pecans perfectly!
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Ingredients Needed
Raw pecans – I like to use the pecan halves, but you can use pieces too.
Egg white – Be sure to whip it to a froth.
Sugar – Use granulated white sugar.
Vanilla extract – Regular extract works great but you can also use the paste.
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How to Make Candied Pecans
First: Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Second: In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy and foamy. Add in the sugar and vanilla and stir to mix.
Third: Gently stir in the pecan halves to coat them. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
Fourth: Bake for 20 minutes, stirring half way through so they don’t burn. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Uses for Candied Pecans
- banana pudding
- charcuterie board
- sweet cheese balls
- sprinkle on spinach salads
- butter boards
- top your sweet potato casserole
- eating by the handful
- ice cream toppings
How long do they last?
Sugared pecans last a week at room temperature, 4 weeks in the refrigerator, and 4 months in the freezer. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container.
Why are my candied pecans chewy?
The sugar needs to reach a certain temperature before it turns into a crispy brittle coating.
You may need to bake them longer. Be sure to stir them too so the coating mixture doesn’t pool in certain places on the pan.
Are Pecans healthy?
Pecans have high levels of two minerals that help boost metabolic health along with other properties.
Plus they are full of healthy fats and are totally delicious!
Are they gluten free?
Yes they are! You can also add additional spices like cinnamon. I love cinnamon sugar pecans for my yogurt or ice cream.
Tapas Tips & Tricks
- Try this recipe with light brown sugar and a cinnamon sugar mixture.
- If you use pecan pieces you will need to lower the oven temperature 25 degrees or cook for a shorter time.
- Dry completely before storing so the sugar coating fully dried.
- Make a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for more flavor. Perfect for fall!
- Try them with a little pumpkin pie spice in it too.
- Use a large baking sheet so they are in a single layer.
- Too sweet? try a pinch of sea salt to balance out the flavors.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!
This easy recipe for delicious candied pecans only takes 30 minutes and is perfect for any occasion. Make a double batch and give them as a gift in a pretty jar!
Crispy Sugared Pecans
Ingredients
- 4 cups pecans
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 egg whites beaten until frothy
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and cover a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray.
- Mix the sugar, pecans, egg whites, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
- Toss the pecans in the sugar mixture to coat the pecans.
- Bake at 350F for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Cool and store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Try this recipe with light brown sugar and a cinnamon sugar mixture.
- If you use pecan pieces you will need to lower the oven temperature 25 degrees or cook for a shorter time.
- Dry completely before storing so the sugar coating fully dried.
- Make a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for more flavor. Perfect for fall!
- Try them with a little pumpkin pie spice in it too.
- Use a large baking sheet so they are in a single layer.
- Too sweet? try a pinch of sea salt to balance out the flavors.
Nutrition
{Recipe originally published 08/02/2014 – photo and notes updated to improve user experience 01/19/2023}
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I was looking for a recipe that did not include cinnamon since my son-in-law does not like it. Great alternative and crunchy.
I made these as a last minute gift for our neighbors and doubled the batch so I could have a little too. Needless to say, I had to make a second double batch as they were completely and deliciously addicting! So so good! thanks
Oh wow! Is it really that simple? Why have I never made these! So great on their own or tossed into a salad! Thanks for sharing! Making these this week.
Oh wow! Is it really that simple? Why have I never made these! So great on their own or tossed into a salad! Thanks for sharing! Making these this week.
These look absolutely amazing! Truthfully I thought they were harder to make, so I’m glad you shared this recipe separately. Totally do-able! YUM!
These would be addicting! They’d be great to munch on at a party or really tasty on a salad!
I buy big bags of pecans from Costco, but boy do I wish I had access to pecan trees. These candied pecans are so simple to make and I love packaging them up for gifts!
Nuts are my go-to, gotta-have-something-in-my-belly-right-now snack, and I LOVE the idea of adding a little sweet to these crunchy treats, too!
These are crack!! I can smell them already. I’ll have to make and take so I don’t eat them all.
They totally are!
Oh wow! Is it really that simple? Why have I never made these! So great on their own or tossed into a salad! Thanks for sharing! Making these this week.
These look absolutely amazing! Truthfully I thought they were harder to make, so I’m glad you shared this recipe separately. Totally do-able! YUM!
Thank you! I love them! I was scared when I started making them as they look weird with the foamy egg whites but it makes the best crust!
Nuts are my go-to, gotta-have-something-in-my-belly-right-now snack, and I LOVE the idea of adding a little sweet to these crunchy treats, too!
Nuts are my go-to, gotta-have-something-in-my-belly-right-now snack, and I LOVE the idea of adding a little sweet to these crunchy treats, too!
These are crack!! I can smell them already. I’ll have to make and take so I don’t eat them all.
I buy big bags of pecans from Costco, but boy do I wish I had access to pecan trees. These candied pecans are so simple to make and I love packaging them up for gifts!
Candied pecans are the best…and crispy is important!
Candied pecans are the best…and crispy is important!
Candied pecans are the best…and crispy is important!
I made these as a last minute gift for our neighbors and doubled the batch so I could have a little too. Needless to say, I had to make a second double batch as they were completely and deliciously addicting! So so good! thanks
These would be addicting! They’d be great to munch on at a party or really tasty on a salad!
I love candied pecans too, they’re the perfect snack. I’ll look forward to your mother’s spiced pecan recipe closer to the holidays.
Thanks! I know you will like those too!
I love pecans especially crispy candied pecans. I could sit down at any time and shove them into my face by the fist full!
Thanks Miranda! I shovel mine the same way! I have to make So many batches!!
My favorite kind of snack!
Thanks Pam! I love them on my yogurt!
These sound divine. We moved to Georgia a few years ago, the best pecans.
Thanks for reading Christie. I do love me some pecans!
These look so good! Pecans are my nut weakness….yum!
Me too! Pecans and cashews! Thanks for reading.
i love these. i want to make them. they are a yummy snack!
Thanks! My grandmother made these and the Fall Spiced Walnuts every year and gave them away as gifts. They are easy to make and go fast so make a double batch!