Easy Candied Pecans

This candied pecans recipe is easy with classic flavor: sweet, spiced and a little salty! They store well and are extremely versatile.

They’re crunchy, irresistibly sweet and salty, and totally classic: try this homemade Candied Pecans recipe! This classic American recipe is ubiquitous for good reason: these little sweet morsels are just that good. This is our master recipe that makes perfectly crunchy, sweet candied pecans with little effort: no food thermometer needed. It’s got just the right amount of cinnamon and sweetness, and it takes a load of will power to stop eating them once you make up a batch. Throw them on salads, over ice cream, or just snack on them plain!

Ingredients for candied pecans

Candied pecans are pecans that are coated in a crunchy sugar coating. They’re typically coated in egg whites, sugar, and spices, then baked until crispy. Glazed pecans are similar, but they have a smoother, glossy exterior. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

Pecan halves
Granulated sugar
Light brown sugar: a mix of brown and white sugar yields the best, most developed flavor
Cinnamon
Ground ginger
Vanilla
Egg white: egg white helps the sugar and spices adhere to the nuts and it adds a glossy, firm exterior
Salt

How to make candied pecans

This candied pecans recipe is straightforward, classic, and no fail, in our opinion! After much research, we landed on the baked method as the easiest option. You can use a skillet method for candied pecans, but you’ll need a candy thermometer to measure the sugar temperature. We found a 325 degree Fahrenheit oven is the most reliable and easiest way to make candied pecans.

Even though it’s not as quick as glazed pecans, the baked method is more reliable because there’s no risk of sticky nuts like with the skillet method. So it’s worth the 30 minute bake time for a perfect result! Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe below):

Mix: Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, then toss them with the pecans.
Spread onto a baking sheet: Spread the nuts in a single layer on a parchment lined sheet.
Bake 30 minutes at 325°F, stirring once. When you stir the first time, the nuts will look very foamy: that’s ok! Give them a thorough stir and then continue to cook until they are light brown and hardened.

Also try: Candied Walnuts!

Storage info: how long do they last?

These candied pecans store well and are crunchy over the entire storage time! Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

How long do homemade candied pecans last? Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks and frozen for up to 2 months. Store in a sealed plastic bag or jar.
Make sure to fully cool them before storing. They cool in about 10 minutes, after which you can eat them! Before you store them, allow them to cool for 45 minutes so they don’t have an residual moisture.
For holiday gifts, store in lidded jars. These candied pecans make great DIY holiday gifts. Make sure to indicate on the jar to store for up to 2 weeks.

A quicker alternative

Want a really quick way to make candied pecans for a salad? You can make this Glazed Pecans recipe on the stovetop. They’re not as reliable stored (since they can turn out sticky), but they work if you’re trying to make a quick salad garnish.

Ways to use candied pecans

Candied pecans are extremely versatile and work on anything from salads to desserts. Here are some of the top ways to use them:

Use for topping salads like a crunchy apple salad, strawberry salad, or spinach salad
Crumble over ice cream for a quick and easy dessert
Add to pancakes or waffles as a fun breakfast topping
Crumble over oatmeal for a decadent treat
Appetizer spread for Christmas or Thanksgiving
Snack on them plain

More pecan recipes

Love this tasty nut? Here are a few more pecan recipes to enjoy:

This candied pecans recipe is…

Vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free.