5.0 from 48 votes
Candied Pecans
Candied Pecans are a delightful balance of salty, sweet, and crunchy for topping desserts or salads. Pecan halves roast in the oven with simple ingredients for a fuss-free treat.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 4 cups
Calories: 958 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar (110g)
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar (73g)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pound pecan halves (450g)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg white, water, and vanilla until very light and foamy, about 1 minute. Add the pecans and stir to coat.
- Sprinkle in the sugar mixture, then stir until the pecans are evenly coated. Spread out the coated pecans evenly in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then stir the nuts. Continue baking until the pecans smell toasted and fragrant, and the coating is dry, about 15 minutes more. Let the nuts cool completely on the pan. (The sugar will harden as they cool). Break up any chunks of pecans and serve immediately or store them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Spread the coated pecans in an even layer for baking. The candy coating will cook most evenly if the coated nuts are baked in an evenly spread single layer. Use a second parchment-lined baking sheet if needed or when doubling the recipe.
- Cool the candied nuts on the baking sheet. The sugar will harden as the nuts cool, so leave the nuts on the baking sheet to cool completely before handling.
- Try this recipe with another kind of nut. This easy recipe is so versatile! It also works well with other nuts like walnut halves or whole cashews.
- Personalize the spices. For a spicy kick, add ½ teaspoon of Cayenne pepper or gochugaru with the cinnamon. Keep it simple with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for salt and pepper pecans, or mix up the spices and use a baking blend, pumpkin pie spice, or something more unique, such as ras el hanout, curry powder, or lemon pepper for a sweet-and-savory candied nut. Replace 1/4 cup of sugar with maple syrup for a variation in sweetness.
Nutrition Information
Calories
958kcal
(48%)
Carbohydrates
59g
(20%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
82g
(126%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
24g
Monounsaturated Fat
46g
Sodium
310mg
(13%)
Potassium
507mg
(14%)
Fiber
11g
(44%)
Sugar
47g
(94%)
Vitamin A
65IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
101mg
(10%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 958
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 958kcal | 48% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 82g | 126% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 24g | 141% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 46g | 230% |
| Sodium | 310mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 507mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 11g | 44% |
| Sugar | 47g | 94% |
| Vitamin A | 65IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 101mg | 10% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.