Easy Candied Pecans Recipe [Video] (2024)

Candied Pecans are great for snacking, desserts and even salads! This recipe makes sure that the nuts are not sticky, but crunchy, and perfectly spiced! Check out the short recipe video attached below for a quick tutorial.

In general, I am a nut addict. They are healthy, tasty and they give texture to food in a really good way. Check out my nutty recipes for Mexican Wedding Cookies, Poppy Seeds Walnut Banana Bread, and Oreo Nutella Cake.

Easy Candied Pecans Recipe [Video] (1)

How to Make Candied Pecans

Candied Pecans are made with only a few ingredients, but the results are comfortingly good. I like having them as a snack, and I put them in salads, too. They provide a nice crunch aside from imparting a nice nutty flavor.

I bought a lot for the holiday season! Even when I have done so many recipes out of this like a pie, bars, cheesecake, and all, I still have many left!

I may have bought too much. But they will not go to waste! Hence, I am sharing with you how to cook these nuts the easy way.

I even packed some and gave away to friends, and they loved it! And so, I am now considering this as a Christmas gift option to family and friends. I am sure that they will have a great time snacking on these goodies!

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What are Candied Pecans:

They are either raw or toasted pecans coated with caramelized sugar mixture. The coating not only adds crunch, but the sweetness of the sugar is complemented with spices. In this recipe, I used cinnamon and nutmeg – perfect for autumn!

How to make Candied Pecans:

  • Prep for baking: Preheat the oven according to the prescribed temperature.
  • Prep the sugar mixture: In a bowl, combine sugar with the spices and salt.
  • Coat: In another bowl, whisk together water and egg white. Toss the pecans in the resulting mixture. Then, add in the sugar mixture and coat everything.
  • Bake: Spread the coated pecans on the baking sheet and bake. Stir and flip every 15 minutes or so. Remove when everything is nicely brown.

What else can you add toCandied Pecans:

If you are feeling adventurous, and you do not mind some heat, then, add chili powder or cayenne! Add more spices that appeal to you if you must. Adding maple syrup or vanilla also adds some flavor.

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Why are my Candied Pecans sticky?

It simply means that the sugar did not reach the temperature where it starts to harden and get brittle. The oven temperature must be met accurately. Be sure to get a candy thermometer to help you with that.

Giving it time to harden after resting may help, too.

How many calories are in Candied Pecans?

One cup of these treats will set you back by around 437 calories, 327 of which is mainly from the fat of the pecan nut itself.

But this should not hinder you from eating this kind of nut. In fact, it has nutrients and antioxidants that help with lowering harmful cholesterol.

It has a number of vitamins, minerals, and a good amount of fiber that help with cancer prevention, weight loss, and many more bodily functions.

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How to Store:

  • Pantry: Put them in an airtight jar and keep at room temperature for a week or two.
  • Refrigerator: Just the same, put them in an airtight container. In the fridge, they will keep for about 3 to 4 weeks.
  • Freezer: If frozen, they will keep for up to 2 months.

Recipe Tips:

  • You can skip the baking part. Instead, you can simply melt the sugar mixture in a skillet and stir the nuts in.
  • Try this recipe with other kinds of nuts like almonds and cashews.
  • I like putting this in my recipes for Classic Waldorf Chicken Salad, Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball, and Carrot Cake!

Easy Candied Pecans

  • Prep Time10 MIN
  • Cook Time1H
  • Servings 4 cups

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 pound pecan halves

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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

  • Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

  • In a small bowl mix white and brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white and water until frothy. Toss pecans in the egg white mixture.

  • Add the sugar mixture into the pecan mixture and stir until pecans are evenly coated.

  • Spread coated pecans into one layer onto the prepared baking sheet.

  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until pecans are evenly browned.

  • Remove from the oven and let the pecans cool on the baking sheet before storing or serving.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Candied Pecans Recipe [Video] (6)
Easy Candied Pecans Recipe [Video] (2024)

FAQs

Easy Candied Pecans Recipe [Video]? ›

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.

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

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.

Why do you soak pecans before roasting? ›

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.

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 won't my pralines get hard? ›

If you beat too long, the candy will seize and start to crumble. If you don't beat it long enough, then pralines won't set properly and will stay soft and sticky.

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.

Do candied pecans need to be refrigerated? ›

Storage Instructions: Candied nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for several weeks. Freezing Instructions: They freeze well in an air-tight container for up to two months. Nuts: use any kind of nuts with this recipe, like walnuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews, or pistachios.

What is the shelf life of candied pecans? ›

Candy pecans have a shelf-life of 6 months. You can also store them in the freezer or refrigerator to enhance their shelf-life. #9 Do you ship pecan trees? Unfortunately, we do not ship pecan trees.

How long do candied pecans stay good for? ›

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.

Why do people boil pecans? ›

Boiling pecans before cracking them can actually help prevent the shell from shattering. Here's how to boil them to loosen the shell but not cook the meat: ● Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil ● Add the pecans and let cook for 10-15 minutes ● Drain and let cool ● Get to cracking!

Why do my toasted pecans taste bitter? ›

I started doing some research, and I found a little-known trick to making pecans taste sweeter: Soaking and rinsing the shelled nuts in lukewarm water before roasting removes the tannins and pieces of corky material that can cause pecans to taste bitter.

Can dogs eat pecans? ›

Why Pecans are Toxic for Dogs. Pecans contain juglone, a compound found in walnuts and pecans that is harmful to dogs and horses. Juglone can cause digestive issues, which usually results in vomiting. Pecans can also get a mold that contains aflatoxin called aspergillus.

Why are my candied nuts grainy? ›

Either you used raw nuts, or you added them before the sugar had a chance to fully caramelize. Why is the sugar all crystallized and grainy looking? It means that the sugar has crystallized before caramelizing. Avoid stirring it before it changes its color.

Can you reheat candied pecans? ›

REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS: To reheat, pop the pecans into an air fryer at 275°F for 5 to 10 minutes.

Where do you store candied pecans? ›

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Keep your candied pecans away from sources of heat and moisture. This means avoiding storing them near your stove, dishwasher, or even on top of your refrigerator. Instead, store them in a cool pantry or cupboard.

Does praline mean candied? ›

praline, is a firm combination of almonds and caramelized sugar. These candied almonds can be ground into a powder called "pralin" that is used to fill the Belgian chocolates.

What are praline pecans made of? ›

French settlers brought the original recipe—which consisted of individual almonds coated in caramelized sugar—to Louisiana, where chefs substituted locally abundant pecans for the almonds and added cream to make what is now known throughout the South as pecan pralines.

What are the two types of pecans? ›

A native pecan often has thicker shells and smaller nuts, while improved varieties tend to have more delicate shells and larger nuts. Another clue in identifying different pecan varieties is the nut shape and kernel appearance.

Why are praline pecans so good? ›

Their combination of coating and texture is as unique as its name. Praline Pecans feature the perfect praline flavor, while also allowing the consumer to eat a little more guilt-free, as they are a healthier alternative to its candy counterpart.

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