Candied Pecans Recipe (2024)

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Sweet and crunchy Candied Pecans are so easy to make and even easier to eat! With just a handful of ingredients, this delightfully easy recipe makes for a delicious holiday gift and is the perfect topping for desserts, breakfasts, and salads! This really is the best candied pecan recipe you’ll ever try! Love pecans? Make sure to try myPecan Pralines andMini Chocolate Pecan Pies!

Candied Pecans Recipe (1)

Candied Pecans

This classic recipe for homemade Candied Pecans is easy and delicious! It’s a favorite around the holidays but we enjoy these candied nuts year round.

This recipe makes a lot of candied pecans so it’s a wonderful recipe to make during the holiday season that you can share with friends and family. Package in a small jar or cellophane bag, put on a cute tag and you’re good to go.

Candied Pecans Recipe (2)

How To Enjoy Candied Pecans

Candied Pecans can be enjoyed in many ways but here are a few of our favorites:

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  • on a salad – especially delicious on a simple fall salad with sliced apples and blue cheese or gorgonzola!
  • a delicious addition to your favorite charcuterie board!
  • as a topping for pancakes, waffles, and French toast!
  • gifts for the holiday season!
  • by the handful – these Candied Pecans are so delicious and make the perfect crunchy, sweet snack!

Candied Pecans Recipe (3)

Candied Pecans Ingredients

You might be surprised at how few ingredients there are in this candied pecans recipe. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • pecan halves – you want the fancy pecan halves, unsalted, and you’ll need one full pound or approximately 4 cups.
  • egg white – this is what helps the cinnamon and sugar to stick to the pecans. That extra egg yolk will be perfect for a batch of chewy chocolate chip cookies.
  • vanilla extract – during recipe testing I found that adding a little vanilla extract to the egg white really enhanced the flavor of the candied pecans.
  • water – a couple teaspoons is all you need to help loosen up the egg white and make coating the pecans easier.
  • granulated sugar – I prefer a more granulated sugar in my candied pecans than brown sugar – it adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
  • brown sugar – the hint of molasses flavor from the brown sugar really rounds out the flavor in this candied pecans recipe.
  • ground cinnamon – I used cinnamon in this recipe but you could also substitute pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice for more complex flavors.
  • salt – for flavor and to help balance the sweetness.

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How To Make Candied Pecans

These candied pecans are really so simple to make. The process is very easy which makes this recipe great for kids that want to help in the kitchen.

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
    • The pecans will be baked at 300F so preheat the oven and then line a large, half sheet baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Both work great.
  2. Egg White Mixture
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white, vanilla extract, and water until foamy, about 2 minutes.
    • Fold in the pecan halves and stir until completely coated in mixture.
      Candied Pecans Recipe (5)
  3. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
    • Whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.
    • Pour over the top of the pecans and toss until pecans are completely coated in cinnamon sugar mixture.
  4. Bake
    • Spread the pecans onto the prepared baking in a single layer. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring after the first 15 minutes, then every 10 minutes thereafter until the sugar mixture has hardened.
    • Remove the candied pecans from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container.
      Candied Pecans Recipe (6)

TIP: You may be tempted to stir the pecans before the first 15 minutes is up. DON’T. When testing this recipe, I initially was stirring every 10 minutes and noticed that I was losing a lot of the cinnamon sugar coating. Waiting for 15 minutes really allows the coating to start to adhere and keeps it mostly intact when stirring.

Variations To Try

I tried so many different variations of this recipe during testing and I wanted to share that with you! Here are some fun ways to change up this recipe:

Substitute a different spice or spice mix for the cinnamon. I tried both pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice during testing and both were delicious! A fun twist on the classic flavor profile and perfect for the holidays.

Add a little heat. Add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne to the cinnamon sugar mixture for a pop of heat.

Brown sugar and granulated sugar. This recipe works using all granulated sugar or all brown sugar. Change the ratios slightly to see what you prefer. Half and half is a good place to start!

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FAQs

How should I store the candied pecans? Candied pecans can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. They can also be refrigerated for up to 1 month. Pecans can be frozen for up to 4 months.

Can this recipe be halved? Yes! When I was testing, I was only testing for half of the recipe because let’s face it, pecans can be expensive! This recipe can easily be halved. For the egg white, simply whisk it together and then measure out about half of the egg white and continue on. Eyeballing it is fine.

Candied Pecans Recipe (8)

More Pecan Recipes

  1. Brown Sugar Pecan Pie
  2. Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
  3. Cranberry Pecan Pumpkin Bread
  4. Cranberry Pecan Brie Bites
  5. Buttermilk Pecan Pralines
  6. Overnight Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

How To Make Candied Pecans

Candied Pecans Recipe (9)

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5 from 20 votes

Candied Pecans

Sweet and crunchy Candied Pecans are so easy to make and even easier to eat! With just a handful of ingredients, this delightfully easy recipe makes for a delicious holiday gift and is the perfect topping for desserts, breakfasts, and salads! This really is the best candied pecan recipe you'll ever try!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword candied pecans, candied pecans recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 16

Calories 248kcal

Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pecan halves unsalted (16 ounces or approximately 4 cups)
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons water
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300F. Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.

  • In a large bowl, whisk egg white, vanilla extract, and water until foamy, about 2 minutes. Fold in pecans and stir until completely coated in egg white mixture.

  • In a separate medium bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Pour over the top of the pecans and toss until pecans are completely coated in cinnamon sugar mixture.

  • Spread the pecans onto the prepared baking in a single layer. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes stirring after the first 15 minutes, then every 10 minutes thereafter until the sugar mixture has hardened.

  • Remove the candied pecans from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container.

Video

Notes

Pecans will be good for 2 weeks at room temperature and can be frozen for up to 4 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

Candied Pecans Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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

Praline pecans are just one variety of candied pecans. These pecans have a tasty coating or glaze and are also referred to as flavored pecans.

Why are my candied pecans sticky? ›

If after they have cooled down, the pecans are still sticky, this means that the sugar mixture never reached a high enough temperature when on the stove. To fix them, place the nuts back into the skillet and cook a bit longer.

Should I soak pecans before baking? ›

Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

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.

Why won't my pralines get hard? ›

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. While delicious, my first batch never did fully harden.

How do you soften pecan pralines? ›

Since the problem is mostly that the sugar in the pralines gets hard and crystallized, you might try softening them the way you'd soften hard brown sugar. Place a terracotta sugar saver in the container or something else that's slightly damp, like a few slices of apple or a slice of fresh bread.

Why do you soak pecans in water? ›

"Essential nutrients like iron, protein, calcium, and zinc are better absorbed by the body when you soak the nuts. The water removes the phytic acid present in acids which causes indigestion. So, soaking nuts helps in digesting them properly and reaping the benefits of these nutrients.

How long do candied pecans stay fresh? ›

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.

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.

Why do people boil pecans? ›

You'll find out fast that boiling pecans lessens the likelihood of the shell shattering into a lot of smaller pieces.

How long to roast pecans at 350 degrees? ›

For this method, preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the nuts evenly onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake until they begin to brown and become aromatic, making sure to toss halfway through, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Can dogs eat pecans? ›

Why are pecans bad for dogs? 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.

How many cups is 1 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.

What is the bitter stuff in pecans? ›

Pecans have two sources of bitterness -- naturally occurring tannins in the kernel and pieces of corky material from the inside of the nut which can adhere to the kernel. Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking.

Why are pecans so expensive? ›

Why Are Pecans Expensive? Pecans are grown in many countries, but like a warmer climate with just the right number of chill hours each winter. Pecan trees take 10 years to really mature and produce a real crop. They require a good deal of water, sun, and chill hours.

Why are candied pecans called pralines? ›

It's hard to find one definitive history of the pecan praline in the southern United States. Although the stories surrounding the creation differ, it is widely agreed that pralines are named after a French diplomat from the early 17th century whose name and title was César, duc de Choiseul, comte du Plessis-Praslin.

Does praline mean candied? ›

The term praline can refer to a few different confections: French praline: almonds that are cooked in boiling sugar until caramelized and crunchy. The candied almonds can then be ground to create pralin, which is used to fill chocolates or create chocolates that are categorized as praliné.

What are praline pecans made of? ›

What is a Praline? The praline is a southern tradition, commonly made with sugar, corn syrup, milk, butter, and pecan halves. It's a confection with a history as rich as its flavor. The praline's origins may date back as far as the early 17th century.

Why are pecans called pralines? ›

In 19th century New Orleans, people began substituting pecans for almonds, added cream to thicken the confection, and thus created what became known throughout the American South as the praline. Pralines have a creamy consistency, similar to fudge.

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