How to Make Candied Pecans

Candied pecans combine sweetness with crunch, along with that distinctive nutty flavor. There are plenty of ways to use them including as a topping for yogurt, an ice cream sundae or even sweet potatoes. They can be found in salads during the warmer months or added to breakfast oatmeal or charcuterie boards any time of the year.

Rather than buying crunchy candied pecans, why not make your own using a handful of crisp, fresh pecans and this simple recipe? Making candied pecans is fun and easy.

Add these to pumpkin pie popsicles, a scoop of no churn pumpkin spice latte ice cream or even decadent double chocolate cherry brownies.

Why You’ll Love Them

Simple:   You only need a few different ingredients to make easy candied pecans, and the recipe itself is very straightforward. Just mix the ingredients together for the candy coating, add the nuts, and let them cool.
Delicious: Nothing offers the wonderful nutty crunch of homemade candied pecans, and these really are hard to stop munching. There’s no way you can stop at just one or two!
Versatile: Use different kinds of nuts, use an extract other than vanilla, add cinnamon sugar, or consider different spices to really make these praline pecans your own.

Ingredients for Candied Pecans

Along with the pecan halves, you’re going to need egg whites, vanilla, white sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.

How to Make Candied Nuts

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Make the cinnamon sugar:  Mix together the white sugar, cinnamon and salt.
Make the candy mixture: Whisk the egg whites with the vanilla extract and some water.
Add the nuts: Stir the pecan halves into the egg white mixture, the stir in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Cook the candied pecans: Spread the pecan mixture on to a greased prepared baking sheet and bake in the oven for about an hour, stirring periodically, then let them cool completely before serving or storing.

Substitutions and Variations

Walnuts or almonds would work in place of the pecans, or you could try hazelnuts or even mixed nuts. Peanuts are good candied too. If you prefer the taste of brown sugar to white, you can sub some or all of the white sugar for brown sugar, or try coconut sugar in its place.

Swap the vanilla for coconut extract or orange extract, or the cinnamon for allspice, ginger or nutmeg. You could even add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sugar mixture if you want to add a kick of spice!

How to Serve Candied Nuts

These are great on salads, sundaes, desserts, cheesecakes, yogurt, ice cream, and even sweet potatoes. You can also just snack on them as they are.

Put candied pecans in little tins or cellophane treat bags as holiday gifts, or add a few to your oatmeal in the morning. Candied pecans are wonderful with festive dishes such as sweet potatoes or roasted Brussels sprouts.

How to Store Candy Coated Pecans

Store: Keep these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Freeze: These will freeze in an airtight container or freezer safe Ziploc bag for up to 2 months and can be thawed overnight on the countertop.

Candied Pecans FAQs

Candied Pecans Recipe

You’re going to love these delicious candied pecans with cinnamon and vanilla. They’re sweet, crunchy, nutty, and really versatile. You can even make extra and keep them in the freezer to add to anything from sweet potatoes to pilafs, sundaes and yogurts, cheesecakes, cupcakes, or anything else you want to jazz up.

Other Recipes to Try

• Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie is a decadent dessert with rich chocolate, crunchy pecans and a buttery pie crust.
• Twice Baked Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans is a comforting side dish featuring creamy mashed sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy pecan streusel.
• Easy Candy Apples are a nostalgic treat perfect for parties or indulging your sweet tooth.
• Sweet Potatoes with Candied Maple Pecans offers a delightful blend of sweet potatoes drizzled with maple syrup and topped with crunchy candied pecans.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans and Cranberries is a flavorful side dish.