The best Candied Pecans recipe is crunchy, sweet and absolutely addicting, and our version can be made on the stovetop or in the oven.
Upgrade everything with Candy Pecans
Upgrade everything with Candy PecansI love how easy and versatile this Candied Pecans recipe is, and we have two easy ways to make them: stove-top or oven! And, you can use any kind of nuts and candy them in the same way. Try walnuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, or a blend of your favorite.
Obviously they make a great snack, or I've listed a dozen other ways to use candied pecans, at the end of this post. My favorite is as a gift during the holidays, with our cute free label in a nut cone.
Don't miss these other easy treats: Graham Cracker Toffee, Homemade Caramels, or Chocolate Fudge!
How to make Candied Pecans:
Combine: Stir together cinnamon and sugar and set aside. Beat egg white, water, and vanilla in another bowl. Coat the pecans in the egg white mixture then pour cinnamon sugar on top and toss well.
Bake for 45 minutes at 300 degrees F, tossing every 15 minutes. Let cinnamon sugar pecans cool completely before enjoying or storing in an airtight container.
Stovetop Candied Pecans:
- Toast: Add 1 cup of pecans to a pan over medium-high heat and cook for 2-3 minutes, tossing often, to toast them. Transfer to a plate.
- Candy coating: Add ½ cup brown sugar, a dash of salt, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons water to the pan. Stir well and cook over medium heat until bubbling.
- Return pecans to pan and toss to coat. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring to coat all of the pecans in the glaze. Remove from heat and transfer pecans to a parchment lined tray to cool completely.
Storage and Freezing Instructions:
Store candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for several weeks.
To Freeze: Place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Uses for Candied Nuts:
- Sprinkle on a Mixed Green Salad with Berries, Apple Cranberry Fruit Salad, or your favorite salad.
- Serve over Pumpkin Pie
- Serve with a Charcuterie Board
- Add to trail mix
- Serve over buttermilk pancakes, pumpkin waffles, French Toast or Coffee cake.
- Stir into your favorite oatmeal.
- Sprinkle over glazed carrots
- Gift to neighbors or friends, with this cute label.
- Top on Ice Cream
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Recipe
Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 16 ounces unsalted pecans halves , (about 4 cups)
- 1 large egg white
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wet coating: in a mixing bowl beat egg white, vanilla, and water until stiff peaks form.
- Dry coating: Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a bowl and stir to combine.
- Add pecans to the egg whites mixture and gently toss to coat. Add the cinnamon sugar mixture and stir gently until the pecans are well coated.
- Bake: Spread the pecans into a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 40-45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the pecans to cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Store candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for several weeks.
Notes
- Toast: Add 1 cup of pecans to a pan over medium-high heat and cook for 2-3 minutes, tossing often, to toast them. Transfer to a plate.
- Candy coating: Add ½ cup brown sugar, a dash of salt, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons water to the pan. Stir well and cook over medium heat until bubbling.
- Return pecans to pan and toss to coat. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring to coat all of the pecans in the glaze. Remove from heat and transfer pecans to a parchment lined tray to cool completely.
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe April 2018. Updated November 2021 and December 2024.
Oven method adapted from Two Peas and their Pod.
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Wow!! I went in a bit apprehensive but they came out sooo good! It’s like eating candy and 10x much better than store bought.
I will be printing this recipe. Thank you.
Absolutely PERFECT! Not too much or too little of anything. Directions are simple to follow and this recipe was much easier than I anticipated. This recipe isn’t overly sweet either, which I really appreciate. I’d give this recipe 10 stars if I could. Thank you so much!
These are fantastic. I alter my recipe slightly by cutting down to 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar though- and it’s still deliciously sweet.
Just made these for the holidays with pecan pieces (less expensive and all I had in the cupboard before the snow/ice hit) and it turned out incredible. Took 20-25 minutes instead of the full time. And now I have the perfect candied pecan pieces to eat plain, put on salads, mix with popcorn – love it! So good!!
Hello! I did the stove top recipe and my fresh pecans came out beautifully and tasted delicious! Thank you for a very easy and fast recipe!
Oven too hot. They began to burn so I took them out change pan and paper returned to oven at 250. Hope they turn out. 🥺
These are out of this world! Made these for the first time today for Christmas gifts. Next time I’ll be sure to make some for home. Great recipe, thank you.
First time making them. Recipe was east enough but I wish there would of been more details on the consistency for oven completion. I thought they had to be completely dry so cooked longer and burnt some of them. It seems they can be a tiny but damp and once removed from oven dry nicely. Oh well first attempt, will try again another day
You’re an angel! I followed your recipe for the Candied Pecans. I made it perfect this time. They are good for my dessert. Thanks for your recipe.
These are absolutely AMAZING and so easy to make! I already had to share the recipe with everyone that tasted them.
Wow! They just finished cooling. They smell and look great. And as for taste, let me put it this way . My husband just got up from a nap went straight for the cookie sheet and began making sounds that can only be described as sheer delight. Then proceed to the bag of pecans we picked and began cracking pecans. The only thing he had to say was “Can you have 2 more batches done before I go to work in the morning. Something tells me I’m going to be very busy the next few days. Thanks for sharing we have a new family favorite.
Wow! They just finished cooling. They smell and look great. And as for taste, let me put it this way . My husband just got up from a nap went straight for the cookie sheet and began making sounds that can only be described as sheer delight. Then proceed to the bag of pecans we picked and began cracking pecans. The only thing he had to say was “Can you have 2 more batches done before I go to work in the morning. Something tells me I’m going to be very busy the next few days. Thanks for sharing we have a new family favorite.