Candied Pecans are chewy, crunchy, sweet, spiced with cinnamon and much easier to make than you might think! Make a batch for the holiday season to gift to friends or keep them all to yourself. With only 5 ingredients needed and about 15 minutes of your time, this easy candy recipe is just the low-stress treat you need during the hectic holidays.

One cup filled with candied pecans is placed on top of another cup.


Candied Pecans

It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year! While I’m currently bursting with holiday cheer, I can’t think of a better treat to make than some homemade candied pecans. They’re sweet, spiced, and everything nice. You know when you walk past some candied nuts at the mall and you have to stop yourself from drooling? Imagine if your whole kitchen smelled just like that.

Seriously, making these candied pecans is a better aromatic experience than any candle can provide! And the best part is that they somehow taste even better than they smell. This homemade recipe calls for simple ingredients – light brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. They all blend together to create the best (yet most delightfully basic) flavor to coat the crunchy pecans.

Of course, there’s also some egg whites in the mix to help achieve the best signature consistency. Homemade candied pecans are so good, I might just make a big batch of these for my cookie exchange instead of my usual cookies! These candied nuts are also a total cinch to make in just a few minutes with hassle-free steps, which is always a HUGE win around the stressful holidays!

Candied pecans have been roasted on a baking sheet.

How to Make Candied Pecans

This might just be the easiest Christmas candy recipe you ever make!

  1. Prepare. Preheat the oven to 350°F so it’s ready to go when you are.
  2. Mix it all together. Add the pecans, egg white, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon to a big mixing bowl. Toss everything together to combine.
  3. Bake. Spread the nuts in an even layer on a baking sheet (lined with a siplat mat or parchment paper). Bake for about 8-10 minutes.
  4. Let cool. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack and let the nuts cool completely. Break them apart before serving or storing for later.
Stacked teacups are filled with candied pecans.

Ingredient Notes

Let’s take a look at that short and sweet shopping list, shall we?

  • Pecans – Keep them whole or break them up into pieces. You could also buy a bag of halved pecans if you’d prefer a smaller bite. If you happen to have any left over pecans, use them to make my favorite southern pecan praline recipe!
  • Egg White – You won’t need the yolk, so feel free to discard it.
  • Light Brown Sugar – In a pinch, you can always make your own by thoroughly combining one cup of white granulated sugar with 1 TBSP of molasses.
  • Vanilla – You can either use vanilla extract (imitation is not recommended) or vanilla bean paste.
  • Cinnamon – There’s just enough in the mix to help create that warm flavor that makes candied pecans so good!

Storing

Candied pecans will last for up to 7 days when stored properly! Let them FULLY COOL to room temperature prior to storing in an airtight container. Keep them in a cool, dark place at room temperature.

PRO TIP: Don’t try to refrigerate the candied pecans. This could make them harden and will not extend their shelf life.

Serving Suggestions

Candied pecans make great little gifts around Christmastime! Bag them up and hand them out to friends and neighbors for a sweet treat they’ll love. You can also toss them onto a brussels sprout salad.

A pomegranate is placed next to a cup of candied pecans

Enjoy more of my favorite Christmas candy recipes!

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Stacked teacups are filled with candied pecans.

Get the Recipe: Candied Pecans Recipe

Yield: 10
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Crunchy and sweet Candied Pecans are simple to make in just minutes. The perfect snack, salad topping or food gift.
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups Pecan pieces
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Equipment

  • 1 baking sheet

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the nuts, egg white, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon until well blended.
  • Spread the nuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes.
  • Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely. Break the nuts apart and store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
  • Break the nuts apart and store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

Notes

Candied Pecans can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Calories: 181kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Sodium: 7mg, Potassium: 105mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 12IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American