This easy candied pecans recipe is the perfect blend of salty and sweet. These crunchy pecans are great for snacking on, gifting, sprinkling on salads, or topping ice cream.
If you’ve ever wondered how to candy pecans, you’re in for a treat. They only take a couple minutes to prep, less than an hour in the oven, and then you’ll be snacking away. They’re a bit addictive.
Years ago I published my slow cooker candied almonds recipe and it has been a really popular post, especially around the holidays.
Without fail, I get asked “can I make these with pecans?”, “can I make these with cashews?”. The answer is yes. And here they are.
Maybe you’re used to buying them from Trader Joe’s (I don’t blame you, they’re good), but these are BETTER.
You’re going to have a hard time not eating the whole pan when they’re warm, straight from the oven.
They make an excellent gift if you bag them up into little treat bags, or just set them out on a table at a gathering.
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.
You don’t need much to candy pecans – just a few kitchen staples. This recipe is for the oven but you can also make them in the slow cooker, it will make your house smell amazing, but it really isn’t any easier.
Lastly, the difference between glazed pecans and candied pecans is that glazed pecans typically call for butter and corn syrup, and result in a shinier finish, and candied pecans are most often made with sugar and egg white.
How to make candied pecans
- STEP ONE: To a small bowl, mix together the sugars, salt, and cinnamon. Then, to a medium bowl, whisk the egg white, vanilla extract, and water until frothy. Then, pour the pecans in and stir to evenly coat. Next, pour the sugar mixture over the pecans and stir to evenly coat again.
- STEP TWO: Pour the coated pecans onto a lipped baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat and spread them around so they’re in an even layer.
- STEP THREE: Bake in a preheated oven at 250°, for 50 minutes, stirring after the first 20 minutes.
- STEP FOUR: Remove from the oven and let set/chill. Once they’ve cooled down, break the pecans apart, if necessary, and serve!
Can I freeze them?
Yes, candied pecans will freeze really well. First let them cool completely then transfer them to an airtight container (a ziplock bag will work, just press out excess air), then place them in the freezer. They’ll keep frozen for a couple months.
How to Make Candied Pecans | Easy Candied Pecans Recipe
FAQ
What is the difference between praline pecans and candied pecans?
What is the meaning of candied pecans?
Why are my glazed pecans sticky?
What is the difference between glazed and candied pecans?
There is not a big difference between glazed pecans and candied pecans. Glazed pecans are typically made with corn syrup, sugar, and butter, while candied pecans are usually made with sugar and egg white. The egg white is used in a lot of candied nut recipes as a binder to help the sugar coating adhere to the nuts.
What is the difference between raw pecans and roasted pecans?
Roasted walnuts have been exposed to dry heat, which improves flavor, aroma, and crunchy texture. In some places it can be fried, which is not recommended as it greatly worsens its nutritional content. But raw and dry roasted nuts have very similar amounts of fat, carbs and protein, but roasted nuts have slightly more fat and calories per gram due to moisture loss during roasting.
Are glazed pecans the same as honey?
They’re very nearly the same thing. Glazed pecans are usually made with a glaze; honey or corn syrup features heavily in the glaze, along with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The final product is sometimes a little sticky, or perhaps tacky, but rarely hard.
Are candied pecans more crispy?
Candied pecans, on the other hand, have a harder finish and are more crispy because of the sugar coating. As long as you have fresh, whole pecan halves, odds are everything else you need for this candied pecans recipe is in your pantry or fridge already. Here’s what you should grab: