Easy Candied Pecans

Pecans

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Yield: 2 1/2 cups

Candied pecans can be used a variety of ways, but whether you add them to salads, eat them alone as snacks, or cover them in chocolate for a sweet treat, they are scrumptious. This recipe roasts the pecan to perfection and is combined with a sweet mixture for a fresh take on the sweetened nuts.

Feel free to use this recipe for other candied nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or cashews.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Put pecans and oil in a flat baking pan; stir until pecans are coated. Roast in 300 F oven 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently. Cool.

  2. Combine sugar, cinnamon, salt, and water in a saucepan; cook, stirring consistently, over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.

  3. Boil to 236 F of a candy thermometer.

  4. Remove from heat; blend in vanilla. Add pecans and stir until mixture is creamy.

  5. Turn out onto waxed paper and use a fork to separate pecans.

Tips

  • Candied pecans are used to top pecan pies, but they can also be used to top sweet potato casserole, as well as served with soft cheeses such as brie, gorgonzola or blue cheese. You could also make a sweet breakfast sandwich by combining crispy cooked bacon and Havarti cheese with candied pecans between cinnamon toast. Add a fried egg for more protein.
  • Candied pecans can be kept at room temperature, but need to be stored in an airtight container. They will last up to two to three weeks if sealed properly. In a refrigerator between 32 F and 40 F—again in an airtight container—pecan storage life increases dramatically, to between eight to 10 months. If frozen, and maintained in an airtight container, candied pecans will keep anywhere from 18 months to two years. Thaw at room temperature. As this recipe does not use eggs, these candied pecans can be thawed and re-frozen. This is not the case for recipes that use eggs in the candied pecan recipe.
  • Serve them in a cellophane bag secured with a bow and a name tag for a sweet gift for any friend, family member or coworker. You may also consider placing them in festive tin cans with tissue paper for a gift that stays fresh in the resealable airtight container. Mason jars are another good way to store candied pecans.

Raw Egg Warning

  • Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of foodborne illness.

Recipe Variation

  • Toss candied pecans with cranberries to mix in some tart flavor.
  • Add some pumpkin spice for an aromatic addition to the smoky flavor of the roasted pecans.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
88 Calories
1g Fat
20g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10
Amount per serving
Calories 88
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 159mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 3mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 2mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)