Candied pecans are a great seasonal snack and are great for tucking into goodie bags! They also add a nice crunch to salads and are amazing chopped and sprinkled over the top if a pumpkin pie.
The first time I ever had candied pecans I knew I needed the recipe!
These have become a staple in Christmas goodie baskets and at holiday parties.
And this Candied Pecans Recipe is super simple to make!
Don’t let yourself get locked into a cinnamon sugar box, though. You can season these any way you want to!
Like spicy? Use chipotle powder.
Pumpkin-spice-is-what-I-live-for kinda gal? Go for it!
Swiss Miss for the win!
Even cajun seasoning works!
Just follow the directions as written but substitute your flavor of choice for the cinnamon sugar.
And maybe leave out the vanilla if you’re using cajun spices…
Ready to make your new favorite snack?
Grab an apron and let’s go!
Candied Pecans
Ingredients:
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 6 cups pecan halves
- 1 large egg white
- ½ teaspoon homemade vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 300°F.
Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. This is not necessary, but it makes clean up a snap!
In a small mixing bowl, combine the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Use a whisk or your hands to break up clumps in the brown sugar.
You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or just a whisk for the next part. I use my stand mixer because it’s easier and faster.
Whisk the egg white, water, and the vanilla extract until it’s really light and fluffy. Fluffy like a cloud.
Toss in the pecan halves and stir them into the fluffy cloud of egg white until they are all well coated with the mixture.
Then, pour in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Mix again until all the pecans are well coated with sugar.
You will probably need to use your hands to pull some of the pecans halves apart. They tend to stick together and you want them to be well coated on both sides with the sugar.
Pour the coated pecans out onto your parchment paper lined tray. Arrange them so that they are in a single layer as much as possible.
Now slide them into your preheated oven.
These guys need to bake for a total of 30 to 45 minutes. Every 15 minutes or so you need to pull them out and stir them all around. This breaks any up pecans that are sticking together.
They are done when the cinnamon sugar has hardened on the pecans.
Let the candied pecans cool on a wire rack before eating. The cinnamon sugar mixture will be HOT. So contain your excitement for about 5 minutes or so before you start snacking.
Store these babies in an airtight container for up to a month.
What flavor would you try first?
Enjoy!
Other snacks you’re sure to love:
Easy Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 6 cups pecan halves
- 1 large egg white
- ½ teaspoon homemade vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F.
- Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. This is not necessary, but it makes clean up a snap!
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Use a whisk or your hands to break up clumps in the brown sugar.
- You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or just a whisk for the next part. I use my stand mixer because it’s easier and faster.
- Whisk the egg white, water, and the vanilla extract until it’s really light and fluffy. Fluffy like a cloud.
- Toss in the pecan halves and stir them into the fluffy cloud of egg white until they are all well coated with the mixture.
- Then, pour in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Mix again until all the pecans are well coated with sugar.
- You will probably need to use your hands to pull some of the pecans halves apart. They tend to stick together and you want them to be well coated on both sides with the sugar.
- Pour the coated pecans out onto your parchment paper lined tray. Arrange them so that they are in a single layer as much as possible.
- Now slide them into your preheated oven.
- These guys need to bake for a total of 30 to 45 minutes. Every 15 minutes or so you need to pull them out and stir them all around. This breaks any up pecans that are sticking together.
- They are done when the cinnamon sugar has hardened on the pecans.
- Let cool on a wire rack before eating. The cinnamon sugar mixture will be HOT. So contain your excitement for about 5 minutes or so before you start snacking.