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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Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

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.

    Candied Pecans Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (15)

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

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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 soggy? ›

Why are my candied pecans soft and sticky? If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

Stir them every 10 minutes or so to avoid them clumping together, or you can just break them apart with a spatula or your hands later. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

How long can you keep candied pecans? ›

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 dry out sticky candied pecans? ›

Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt makes these taste salty-sweet. If you'd prefer to not taste the salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325°F (162°C) and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

How do you take the bitterness out of pecans? ›

Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking. To "sweeten" the pecan meats (kernels), simply put the pecan kernels in a bowl and fill with lukewarm water. Stir and tumble the meats in the water for several minutes and you will see the discoloration in the water.

Why do my pecans taste bad? ›

Store pecans in cool, dry places away from heat: Because pecans contain such a high amount of healthy, plant-based oils, they are prone to going rancid if they spend too long in warm temperatures.

Why do you boil pecans before cracking? ›

Boiling pecans before cracking them can actually help prevent the shell from shattering.

Why do you soak pecans before roasting? ›

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.

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 many pecans does it take to make 1 lb? ›

For a pound of nutmeat, you will need 2½ pounds of in-shell pecans. In order to help you maintain the highest quality pecan meats, we have developed the following guide to help you understand the best way to handle and store your pecans.

Can dogs have pecans? ›

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.

Why are my candied pecans still sticky? ›

The pecans only take a few minutes to cook. If you walk away or don't stir constantly they could burn. The nuts will be sticky at first before they cool. If the glazed pecans remain sticky after cooling, transfer the baking sheet to a 325ºF oven for 5-15 minutes, or until they harden.

Why are my pecans mushy? ›

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.

Are pecans good for you? ›

Raw pecans pack a 1-2-3 punch of protein, healthy fats, and fiber that can help keep you energized and satisfied. Pecans are a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which help lower blood pressure. Most of the fat found in pecans is a healthy type called monounsaturated fat.

How do you fix soggy nuts? ›

Just toasting them in a dry pan or oven should be enough to revive them, but they'll also go in any recipe that requires nuts. We got through most of ours by toasting them with spices, to eat as nibbles or to add crunch to soups, stews and salads.

How do you keep pecan pie from getting soggy? ›

Often, during the last stage of blind baking you remove the pie weights and parchment paper and brush the crust with egg wash before returning it to the oven for a few more minutes. During that time, the egg cooks into a glossy layer that will later prevent the filling from seeping into the crust and making it soggy.

Why is my pecan pie mushy? ›

Failing to bake your pie at a high enough temperature could result in a raw, soggy crust. Because it was not baked at a high enough temperature, the butter in the crust begins to melt into the dough. To avoid this, always start your pecan pie at a high enough temperature, such as 425 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

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