Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

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Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Easy to make, these delicious candied pecans are perfect for holiday snacking! Seasoned with brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon, they take minutes to make with a few pantry staples.

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe

Candied nuts are a holiday favorite in our house and they are so easy to make! These candied pecans are perfectly sweet and they are always on hand for tasty holiday snacking.

Spiced brown sugar coats the nuts for a real flavor explosion, and they are perfect to serve alongside your favorite Christmas drinks!

Be sure to try my Crockpot Candied Nuts and Candied Walnuts too!

Why you’ll love easy Candied Pecans recipe:

  • SIMPLE INGREDIENTS: This recipe requires just 5 pantry staple ingredients.
  • MAKE AHEAD: These candied pecans have a great shelf life, so make up a big batch to enjoy across the holidays.
  • QUICK AND EASY: It takes minutes to make these homemade candied nuts in one pan on the stovetop.

These candied pecans are the perfect snack to have on hand during Christmas, especially when last minute guests pop round!

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

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How to make Candied Pecans

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Mix together the brown sugar, water, vanilla, cinnamon and salt and bring to a boil.
  2. Stir in the pecans til fully coated.
  3. Place them on a lined baking sheet and let fully cool.
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Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?

Yes of course! This recipe will work well with all kinds of nuts. Walnuts, macadamia, peanuts or a mix all work great.

What other spices can I use in this snack recipe?

I made these pecans with cinnamon, but you could easily swap that with other spices like nutmeg or ginger. Try adding some cayenne or red pepper chili flakes for a spicy snack!

Can I top a salad with candied pecans?

These candied nuts aren’t just for snacking! They are great to add to salads for a crunchy topping! They are also great to add to a trail mix.

How far ahead of time can I make candied pecans?

Once your pecans have fully cooled, store them in an airtight container. They will keep well at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. They make for great food gifts for friends and family during the holidays!

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Tips!

  • If you can’t find roasted pecans, simply roast 1 pound of pecans for 10-15 minutes in a 325-degree oven, flipping them every 4-5 minutes until they reach your desired flavor.
  • Let the candied pecans cool on a lined baking sheet. Make sure that they aren’t touching or they will stick and clump together.
  • Let them cool fully before serving or storing.

This is such a great easy homemade snack recipe. Be sure to make a double batch as they disappear quickly!

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These candied pecans scream holiday! They are always a real crowd pleaser and the simple ingredients means you can whip them up last minute. Crunchy and sweet, they are pretty much the perfect snack!

More Simple Snack Recipes we Love

  • Reindeer Food Snack Mix
  • Candied Corn Puffs Snack Mix
  • Salted Caramel Puppy Chow Snack Mix
  • Sweet and Salty Cheerios Snack Mix

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe

Candied Pecans Recipe

4.70 from 80 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 5 minutes minutes

Total: 25 minutes minutes

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

Serves10

Print Rate

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Easy to make, these delicious candied pecans are perfect for holiday snacking! Seasoned with brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon, they take minutes to make with a few pantry staples.

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (11)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brown sugar 213 grams
  • 2 tablespoons water 28 grams
  • teaspoons pure vanilla extract 6 grams
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 grams
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 pound roasted halved pecans 454 grams, SEE NOTE

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

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  • Whisk the brown sugar, water, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium-sized saucepan and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the mixture starts to bubble (do not stir; just shake the pan every 30 seconds or so).

    1 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

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  • Stir in the pecan halves until all of them are fully coated then drop them onto the prepared baking pan evenly spaced so they don’t stick together when fully dried.

    1 pound roasted halved pecans

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  • Let cool for 15 minutes, then serve.

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Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • Pecans: If you can’t find roasted pecans, simply roast 1 pound of pecans for 10-15 minutes in a 325°F oven, flipping them every 4-5 minutes until they reach your desired flavor.
  • Let the candied pecans cool on a lined baking sheet. Make sure that they aren’t touching or they will stick and clump together.
  • Let them cool fully before serving or storing.

Storage: Store candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5cup Calories: 399kcal (20%) Carbohydrates: 28g (9%) Protein: 4g (8%) Fat: 33g (51%) Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g Monounsaturated Fat: 19g Sodium: 65mg (3%) Potassium: 217mg (6%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 23g (26%) Vitamin A: 26IU (1%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 52mg (5%) Iron: 1mg (6%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (17)

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Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

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10 Comments

Newest

Oldest Most Voted

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (21)

Lisa

Posted on 8/12/2023

I did mine with walnuts. Came out amzing

Reply

Samantha Marceau

Posted on 8/16/2023

Reply to Lisa

Thanks so much for sharing what worked for you, Lisa!

Reply

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (23)

Terri

Posted on 1/9/2022

Sorry, no image – they didn’t last long enough even with 4 x the recipe. Friends have already placed order for our joint vacation. Delicious!Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (24)

Reply

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (25)

Becky Hardin

Posted on 1/12/2022

Reply to Terri

Sounds like a success!

Reply

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (26)

Kathy

Posted on 12/16/2021

Absolutely yummy! Great recipe. I can’t make them fast enough! They are gone before I start another batch. Thanks for this recipe.Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (27)

Reply

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (28)

Becky Hardin

Posted on 12/17/2021

Reply to Kathy

Oh no! You need some helpers!

Reply

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (29)

Karen

Posted on 12/13/2021

Will try won’t have to buy eggs or egg whites

Reply

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (30)

JOANN M. ARMSTRONG

Posted on 10/27/2021

Easy… easy and deliciousCandied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (31)

Reply

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (32)

Becky Hardin

Posted on 11/2/2021

Reply to JOANN M. ARMSTRONG

Enjoy, Joann!

Reply

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (33)

Diana

Posted on 10/26/2021

I’ve always tossed them in whisked egg whites then in the cinn, and sugar mix. Then toast in oven.

Reply

Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

Why are my candied pecans so sticky? ›

The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts. How do you fix candied nuts that are too soft and sticky? You can place them back into the oven for 5 to 15 minutes or until they dry out more. They will continue to firm and dry out as they cool.

What is the difference between candied pecans and praline pecans? ›

Praline pecans are just one variety of candied pecans. These pecans have a tasty coating or glaze and are also referred to as flavored pecans.

How long do candied pecans stay good? ›

How long will candied pecans keep? They will keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature, at least three weeks in the refrigerator, or up to two months in the freezer. No matter where you store them, keep in a tightly sealed, airtight container.

How to soften pecans quickly? ›

Throw all of your pecans in a sauce pan, and pan-fry for about 2 minutes. This will soften the pecans, and really accentuate the nutty flavor.

Should I soak pecans before baking? ›

Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

Why do my pecans taste bad? ›

Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.

Why won't my pralines harden? ›

If you beat too long, the candy will seize and start to crumble. If you don't beat it long enough, then pralines won't set properly and will stay soft and sticky.

What kind of pecans are best for baking? ›

Pawnee. Commonly grown in Georgia and Texas, the Pawnee pecan has a rich, buttery flavor and excellent quality, making it ideal for baking. This nut ripens early in autumn, making it one of the first varieties of the year to market and widely available for consumers.

Can dogs eat pecans? ›

Why are pecans bad for dogs? These nuts are toxic for dogs. Eating them can result in pets becoming sick and needing immediate veterinary care. “The reason pecans are considered toxic is that they contain a compound called juglone, also found in walnuts, that is harmful to dogs,” advises Dr.

How many cups is 1 pound of pecans? ›

Measurements and Substitutions

If you happen to have pecans in their shells, remember that 1 pound equals 3 cups shelled, about 4 cups pecan halves, and about 3 3/4 cups chopped nuts. Equivalents to know when using shelled pecans are that 1 pound equals 4 cups and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped.

How can you tell if pecans are rancid? ›

Fresh pecans have a distinct aroma, characterized by their sweet, nutty scent. They should have a firm, almost crunchy texture and a rich golden or amber color. On the flip side, bad pecans may show signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell, a shriveled appearance, or a soft and rubbery texture.

Can dogs have candied pecans? ›

While pecans are not toxic to dogs, they can be difficult for your pup to digest and may cause health issues if dogs have too many. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a large amount of pecans or is experiencing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, seek veterinary care immediately.

Why do you soak pecans in water? ›

Soaked nuts and seeds are hydrated, so their flavor is a bit more buttery and creamy. As the nut absorbs more and more water, it becomes plumper and the texture softens (hint: it is always a good idea to soak your nuts and seeds in a larger container to give them plenty of space for expansion).

Why are my pecans rubbery? ›

Humidity above these values can cause kernel molding and pecan texture deterioration (pecans become soft and rubber-like), whereas lower humidities will cause excessive drying. In-shell pecan kernels will darken under high humidity as a result of the tannic acid being dissolved from the shell lining.

Can you eat pecans raw? ›

Pecans are a versatile tree nut. They can be eaten alone – raw, roasted, or flavored – as a healthy, delicious snack, or they can enhance almost any recipe as an ingredient. Go nuts and enjoy pecans!

How to make candied pecans less sticky? ›

Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325° F and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

How to make nuts less sticky? ›

Why are my caramelized nuts sticky? Candied nuts made with sugar remain sticky if you haven't cooked them long enough. If you are using a sugar-free sweetener, you may need to leave the nuts out to dry for a few hours until they fully harden.

Why is my pecan pie gooey? ›

If the filling is flowing in a wavy movement from the center to the edge, your pie isn't set quite yet. Wait for the moment when the center of your pecan pie gives you just a little jiggle, like the stable but slightly wiggly movement of Jell-O when you give it a gentle shake.

What causes stick tights on pecans? ›

Scab infections of the shucks may also produce “stick tights,” a condition in which the shuck does not separate from the nut during harvest. Symptoms of powdery mildew are most obvious when the nuts become covered with a white, fuzzy growth on the surface (Figure 3).

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