WHAT’S FOR A SWEET SNACK?
Candied Pecans
Array/5
COOK TIME
1 hour
TOTAL TIME
70 min
SERVINGS
1 lb
I don’t know who invented Candied Pecans, but I’d like to high-five them. These gems are absolutely amazing. And addicting. Keep reading for the easiest ways to make candied pecans in the oven.
I made a batch of these and then grabbed a couple and walked to the other room. Ate one as I was walking and then immediately turned around to go back to the kitchen. I thought to myself, “nope, that’s not enough. Definitely need more than a couple.” Holy moses, these are good.
They’re great at any time of the year, but I especially love making candied pecans for Christmas. I like to give them as little presents to people I love. They are perfect to make in bulk because they are ridiculously easy to make. So head to Costco and grab a giant bag of pecans and start making your house smell amazing!
Candied Pecans Ingredients
The best thing about making candied pecans in the oven is that they are seriously so easy – but they seem fancy! You only need six ingredients for these and you probably already have most of them in the house!
Pecans
Of course, to make candied pecans we do need pecans! I like to buy mine in bulk so I can make a lot at once. Make sure to get whole pecans that are already out of their shell to make this recipe easy.
Egg White
Egg white is an ingredient you may not have been expecting to see. But it’s actually very important. The egg white works together with the water in this candied pecans recipe to help the sugar stick to the nuts and give the finished product its glossy, crunchy coating.
Water
You’ll mix water together with the egg white in this recipe to make up the candy coating. Some people like to replace some or all of the water in this recipe with vanilla extract. I’ve also seen people replace the water with bourbon!
White Sugar
To make candied pecans, we need to have plenty of sugar. This recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar, but you can adjust it as you see fit. If you want to use the candied pecans as a salad topping, for example, you might want to use a bit less sugar to maintain some savory flavor.
Salt
There’s nothing better than a sweet-and-salty snack! Adding salt to this recipe for candied pecans helps bring out the sweetness.
Ground Cinnamon
The cinnamon in this recipe is one of the things that makes them smell so good. Warm cinnamon, delicious sugar and toasty pecans = the smell of Christmas!
How to Make Candied Pecans
There are many different ways to make candied pecans. I’ve seen recipes for stovetop candied pecans, crockpot candied pecans and even air fryer candied pecans! But I like to make my candied pecans in the oven because it’s extremely hands-off and easy.
Here’s how you can make your own candied pecans at home:
Step One: Preheat your oven to 250 degrees and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step Two: Whip together the egg white and water in a large bowl until frothy.
Step Three: In a small bowl, mix the sugar, salt and cinnamon together.
Step Four: Add the pecans to the egg whites and stir to coat all the pecans evenly. Then, pour the sugar over the pecans and mix again. Make sure all the pecans are covered with the sugar mixture.
Step Five: Spread the nuts onto the baking sheet and bake at 250 degrees for about 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes to prevent burning and ensure all the nuts are nicely toasted.
After these five easy steps, you can let the pecans cool (if you can wait that long!) and then enjoy! Warning: these things are seriously addicting, so I recommend giving some away as gifts as soon as possible so you don’t eat them all!
Types of Candied Pecans to Try
Vanilla Candied Pecans
Replace the water in this recipe with vanilla extract for an extra dose of flavor and sweetness. I haven’t tried this myself but it sounds really delicious!
Bourbon Candied Pecans
Replacing the water in this recipe with bourbon is a simple way to take these candied nuts over the top! This makes a great topping for ice cream (or just about anything).
Candied Pecan Salad Toppers
If you’re making candied pecans for a salad, I recommend using a bit less sugar than this recipe calls for. You can use as little as ⅓ cup of sugar but can adjust to your taste.
Spicy Candied Pecans
I love the idea of adding a little bit of heat to these candied nuts! Try adding in some cayenne powder, chili powder or your favorite spice to make a sweet-and-spicy treat. You can also use spices other than cinnamon for different flavors, like ginger or even rosemary.
Brown Sugar Candied Pecans
Swap out the white sugar for brown sugar to make a delicious twist on these oven-baked candied pecans. Brown sugar will add a deeper, molasses-like flavor that’s really delicious!
Vegan Candied Pecans
If you want your candied pecans without egg whites, it’s definitely possible. While the egg whites help the sugar stick, you can try this recipe with aquafaba instead of water and egg whites.
Aquafaba is the water in a can of chickpeas, so you don’t even have to buy a hard-to-find ingredient!
How Can You Use Candied Pecans?
The uses for candied pecans are virtually limitless. I love to just eat them (by the handful) but they’re also great to use in other dishes or as toppings. Try candied pecans:
- As a topping for ice cream or yogurt
- On top of pancakes or waffles
- Baked into banana bread or cookies
- As part of a sweet-and-savory snack mix
- On a charcuterie or cheese board
- With baked brie
I also love to give these as gifts. Package them up in little mason jars or another small container and you’ve got an easy, cost-effective way to show someone you care about them this holiday season!
How Long Do Candied Pecans Last?
Candied pecans are best when stored at room temperature for about a week. If you store them in the refrigerator they can last up to three weeks. Make sure to store them in an airtight container and include storage tips if you’re giving these away as gifts!
Can You Freeze Candied Pecans?
Yes, you can! Candied pecans actually freeze really well. Simply place the cooled nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and then freeze for a few hours or overnight to ensure they won’t stick together. Once they’re frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag and wrap in foil. Freeze for up to two months and thaw in the fridge to enjoy a holiday treat long into the winter!
Want More Easy Holiday Recipes?
I’m all about ease when it comes to the holidays, especially because I love gifting treats to family and friends. Here are some of my favorite cookies and other desserts to make and give:
Have you guys had candied pecans before? Ever made them yourself? Follow me over on Facebook and Instagram @lolohomekitchen. Be sure to snap a pic if you make a Lolo’s recipe and tag it with #lolohk. I love to see what you are making!
Print
Candied Pecans
Easy to make and incredibly delicious. Sweet candied pecans make a great snack or gift!
Ingredients
1 pound of whole pecans
1 egg white
1 Tablespoon water
1 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Set aside a baking sheet prepared with parchment or Silpat.
2. In a large bowl, whip the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate small bowl, mix the sugar, salt and cinnamon.
3. Add pecans to the egg whites and stir to coat all the pecans evenly. Pour the sugar mix over the pecans and mix again until all the pecans are covered.
4. Spread the nuts onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour , stir every 15 minutes. Remove, let cool and enjoy your new addiction.
Notes
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2 Responses
So easy and soooo good, these won’t last very long around the house!
These always go so quick, they are the best!