Here’s a foolproof and simple recipe to make Candied Pecans! Package these pecans up for a festive gift, add them to an appetizer/cheese board, or top your favorite salads/desserts with them.

 

Close-up photo of a jar of Candied Pecans with red ribbon around the jar.

Candied Pecans

From garnishing desserts to topping salads, Candied Pecans show up frequently on this site. I’m completely obsessed with them and they add such a great element to so many dishes. Plus, they are so simple to make — you’ll be amazed how quickly they come together.

Read on for the process of how to make Candied Pecans!

Process shots of Candied Pecans recipe -- egg white mixture and pecans.

How to make Candied Pecans:

  • Whisk. Mix egg whites, vanilla, and water together until frothy (see picture above).
  • Toss. Add pecans to the frothy egg mixture.
  • Stir. Combine the sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
  • Toss again. Once again, toss the pecans in this mixture until they’re all evenly coated.
  • Bake. Spread the pecans on a sheet pan and bake, flipping every 15 minutes.

Once baked, these pecans won’t have quite the shelf life that plain pecans have. But you know what? We’ve never had a problem with spoiled pecans. They don’t last long in our house!

How long do Candied Pecans last?

At room temperature (70 degrees F), these Candied Pecans last up to 2 weeks. In a sealed and airtight container in a dark/cool area, they can stay fresh up to 45 days.

Can you freeze Candied Pecans?

If you opt to freeze these pecans, they do quite well in a freezer at 0 degrees F. To freeze: store in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.

Process shots for making Candied Pecans -- showing the pecans being mixed in egg whites; the sugar mixture being stirred.

I’ve found baking Candied Pecans in the oven always yields the best and most consistent results, but you can use the stovetop in a pinch.

How do you make Candied Pecans on the stove?

  • Combine 1/4 light brown sugar, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons water in a large skillet. Whisk to combine and stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is bubbling.
  • Stir in 1 cup of pecan halves and toss to coat in the sugar. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly and watching carefully so they don’t burn.
  • Remove the pecans from the heat and pour them onto a large sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Use a spoon to quickly separate the pecans a bit.
  • Let pecans cool completely and enjoy!

Process shot showing Candied Pecans being stirred in a large bowl and then placed on a tray.

For a cute way to package this Candied Pecans recipe: 

Click to download the FREE Sugared Nuts Printable

  1. To use this printable: purchase Kraft (brown) sticker paper. HERE is the exact package I used.
  2. Save the free printable above to your computer.
  3. Print the “Sugared Nuts Printable”.
  4. Attach the stickers to the side of a Mason jar or individual plastic bags. Place the cooled nuts into the jar (or bag), seal, and then tie with some twine or ribbon.
  5. Share the love!

Mason jar filled with Candied Pecans.

I love adding these Candied Pecans to recipes!

Desserts:

Savory:

5 from 3 votes

Candied Pecans

These Candied Pecans are perfect for packaging as a festive gift, adding to an appetizer or cheese board, or topping your favorite salads and desserts.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 32 servings

Equipment

  • Sheet pan 15 x 21-inch

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups sugar see note 1
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 pounds pecan halves

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 250โ„‰. Line an extra-large sheet pan (or 2 smaller sheet pans) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.
  • Measure sugar, cinnamon, and salt into a large bowl. Stir to combine.
  • In another bowl, whisk egg whites, vanilla, and water together until frothy. Toss pecans in the egg white mixture and then use a slotted spoon to remove and transfer them into the bowl with the sugar mixture. Toss the pecans in the sugar mixture until well coated. Spread coated pecans onto a baking sheet and keep them from overlapping.
  • Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes until pecans are evenly browned, about 45โ€“60 minutes. Let stand for 30 minutes or until fully cool and solidify.ย 

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: You can also use 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of light brown sugar.
Nutrition: The nutritional information is calculated for a 2-ounce serving.
Storage: Store in an airtight container and freeze up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

 

A foolproof and simple recipe to making delicious candied pecans! Package these pecans up for a festive gift, add them to an appetizer/cheese board, or top your favorite salads/desserts with them.  via chelseasmessyapron.com #candy #candied #pecan #pecans #recipe #christmas #holiday #holidays #treat #easy #quick

Meet Chelsea


Hi there! Iโ€™m Chelseaโ€“the recipe developer, photographer, writer, and taste tester behind Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron (although my little ones help me out quite a bit with the taste testing part!). I LOVE getting creative in the kitchen and then posting my creations here for you to enjoy.

Thanks again for stopping by!

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21 Comments

  1. Bonnie Sanders says:

    5 stars
    Wow! Just made a batch of these, they are delicious! I made them for gifts for neighbors but my husband is probably going to have them all ate before I package them up. Thanks for the recipe!!