Candied Pecans Recipe
This easy homemade Candied Pecans Recipe is a deliciously sweet and crunchy treat with cinnamon-sugared nuts. They are perfect for topping salads or desserts, make a great sweet nut snack to enjoy, are a terrific holiday gift, and can be substituted with your favorite nuts.
For more easy snacks to enjoy try my roasted cinnamon spiced mixed nuts, Chex mix, Christmas Chex Mix, crockpot candy, pecan Turtle bark and Reeses peanut butter bark.
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Making Candied Pecans
I prefer making them with 10 minutes of prep time in the oven for a better crispier texture and a more hands off cooking method.
I started making candied sugar nuts for my gourmet food business to sell at local businesses and markets.
They were always a big hit and would sell out each time so I would make even more and they would sell out.
I now enjoy making them for my family and friends for gift giving or snacks to have out at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Best Ways to Use Candied Pecans
- Make treat bags or use Mason jars and small tins with ribbon for holiday season gifts
- Add to your charcuterie board or nuts mix
- Top a salad for a yummy sweet crunch, great on my favorite green salad
- Top sweet potatoes casserole or my baked sweet potatoes
- Top on ice cream or ice cream sundaes and yogurt
- Garnish for breakfast oatmeal and pancakes or waffles
- Terrific cinnamon sugar nuts for a snack
Ingredients
- Pecans – 2 pounds of pecan halves
- Egg Whites
- Water
- Vanilla Extract
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Salt
This recipe makes enough candied pecan nuts to feed a crowd. You can half this recipe if you do not need as many or double it if you need more.
Variations: Use this recipe to make candied almonds, walnuts and cashews. For an extra warming spice flavor you can add a dash of nutmeg, ginger or cloves. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sugar mixture for a wonderful spicy kick for the candied pecans.
How To Make Candied Pecans
STEP ONE – Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Prepare a large baking sheet by spraying with nonstick cooking spray.
STEP TWO – In a bowl, stir together sugar, cinnamon, and salt until thoroughly combined.
STEP THREE – In a large bowl whisk together egg whites, water, and vanilla until thoroughly combined, about 45 seconds.
STEP FOUR – Add pecans to egg mixture, gently stir to ensure all pecans are coated with egg mixture.
STEP FIVE – Add sugar mixture and gently stir until all pecans are coated with sugar coating.
STEP SIX – Spread pecans into an even layer on prepared cookie sheet, two sheets could be used in place of one large one.
STEP SEVEN – Bake pecans for 1 hour, stirring 2-3 times during baking.
STEP EIGHT – Remove pecans from oven, allowing to cool completely before storing.
Sandra’s Tips
- It is important to let the pecans cool completely before storing as they will continue to dry allowing the coating to set.
- For an easier cleanup line the cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- The cinnamon sugar mixture can be placed in ziplock bags to coat the pecans with after adding them to the egg white mixture. Just seal and toss, then empty the bag on the baking sheet.
Storage Instructions
Store cooled pecans in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 7 days. Great for making ahead of time.
Print
Candied Pecans Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
Description
This easy homemade Candied Pecans Recipe is a deliciously sweet and crunchy treat with cinnamon-sugared nuts. They are perfect for topping salads or desserts, make a great sweet nut snack to enjoy, are a terrific holiday gift, and can be substituted with your favorite nuts.
Ingredients
2 pounds pecan halves
2 egg whites
2 teaspoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Prepare a large baking sheet by spraying with nonstick cooking spray.
In a bowl, stir together sugar, cinnamon, and salt until thoroughly combined.
In a large bowl whisk together egg whites, water, and vanilla until thoroughly combined, about 45 seconds.
Add pecans to egg mixture, gently stir to ensure all pecans are coated with egg mixture.
Add sugar mixture and gently stir until all pecans are coated with sugar coating.
Spread pecans into an even layer on prepared cookie sheet, two sheets could be used in place of one large one.
Bake pecans for 1 hour, stirring 2-3 times during baking.
Remove pecans from oven, allowing to cool completely before storing.
Notes
Storage instructions:
Store cooled pecans in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 7 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: American
