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Easy Candied Pecans come together in only 5 minutes on your stove top! Learn how to make candied pecans quickly to throw on salads, yogurt, desserts, snacking, and so much more!
Once you see for yourself how easy it is to throw together Candied Pecans, you will never purchase them again!
This recipe takes a mere five minutes to throw together and uses four simple ingredients – pecans, brown sugar, maple syrup, and salt. Plus this easy recipe is gluten free, vegan (contains no egg), and dairy-free so snack away!
Spiced nuts are the ultimate addictive snacking because it’s hard to ignore a tempting bowl of glazed pecans. I often give them away as a holiday food gift or store them to sprinkle on salads, yogurt, oatmeal, or ice cream.
How To Make Candied Pecans
First line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the hot candy pecans can be transferred quickly.
Tip: A silicone baking mat may also be used, but avoid using wax paper because the nuts will stick.
Stir together brown sugar, maple syrup, water, and salt. Heat over medium high heat until bubbly and sugar visibly dissolves.
Once the sugar dissolves add the pecans. Other nuts, such as pistachios, walnuts, almonds, or mixed nuts may also be used.
Reduce to medium heat. Continue to cook and stir constantly until syrup thickens and reduces, about 2 minutes. Do not remove from stove top until almost all the liquid has reduced.
Immediately pour onto prepared baking sheetand spread out with spoon. Candied nuts will harden as they cool.
Substituting other Nuts
Yes! Stir in any preferred nut into the sugar mixture. Walnuts, shelled pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, or mixed nuts taste equally delicious!
sTorage Tips
First, make sure the nuts are completely cooled. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three weeks.
Alternatively, store nuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up six weeks or freeze up to three months.
Tips For Making Candied Pecans Stove Top
- Be sure to have your pan prepared ahead of time to put the hot nuts on before they cool.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Wax paper has a tendency to stick to the nuts.
- Don’t get distracted! 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.
Spicy Candied Pecans
A touch of spice pairs perfectly with maple syrup and salty nuts. Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sugar mixture before adding the pecan halves.
Cinnamon Glazed Pecans
Cinnamon spice elevates the sweet coating on the nuts. To make cinnamon candied pecans add 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon to the brown sugar, maple syrup, water, and salt in the skillet.
Why are My Candied Nuts Sticky?
They most likely didn’t cook long enough on the stovetop. Sugar has to reach a certain temperature to achieve that brittle, candy coating state. Here is a very informative article about the stages of sugar and temperature.
Good news, though! If your candied pecans are still sticky after completely cooling, they may still be saved!
How to Fix Sticky Candied Nuts
Transfer parchment-lined baking sheet to 325ºF oven (do not put wax paper in the oven) and bake for 5-15 minutes, or until they are less sticky.
Remember, while the sugar is still warm there will still be stickiness to them, but as the nuts cool they will harden.
Click here to see the
step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!
How To Use Candy Pecans
- salad topping, such as Harvest Salad
- food gifts (especially around Christmas!)
- sprinkle on frosted cakes, such as on Pumpkin Pie Cake
- oatmeal
- add to a snack mix, such as Homemade Chex Mix
- yogurt
- topping for Chocolate Bark
- baked sweet potatoes or yams
- Charcuterie Boards
- topping for Cranberry Baked Brie
SAVE THESE CANDIED PECANS TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARD!
Let’s befriends on Pinterest! I’m always sharing great recipes!
Candied Pecans
Easy Candied Pecans come together in only 5 minutes on your stove top! Learn how to candy pecans quickly with only brown sugar, maple syrup, and salt.
4.49 from 50 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Melissa Erdelac
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon water
- pinch salt
- 1 cup pecans, or any other preferred nut
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Prepare a baking sheet layered with parchment paper (DO NOT USE WAX PAPER – nuts will stick to paper). Set aside.
In a medium skillet add brown sugar, maple syrup, water, and salt. Heat over medium heat until bubbly and sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Add nuts and continue to cook and stir until syrup thickens and reduces, about 2 minutes.
Immediately transfer nuts to the baking sheet and spread out with spoon. Candied nuts will harden as they cool.
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Recipe Notes
Tips For Making Candied Pecans
- Be sure to have your pan prepared ahead of time to put the hot nuts on before they cool.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Wax paper has a tendency to stick to the nuts.
- Don’t get distracted! 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.
Spicy Candied Pecans
A touch of spice pairs perfectly with maple syrup and salty nuts. Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sugar mixture before adding the pecan halves.
Cinnamon Glazed Pecans
Cinnamon spice elevates the sweet coating on the nuts. To make cinnamon candied pecans add 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon to the brown sugar, maple syrup, water, and salt in the skillet.
How to Store Candied Pecans
First, make sure the nuts are completely cooled. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three weeks.
Alternatively, store nuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up six weeks.
Freeze candied nuts in an airtight container for up to three months.
Nutrition
Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 135mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 0.7mg
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Categories: 30 Minutes Appetizers Christmas Desserts Fall Gluten Free Grain Free Holidays Quick and Easy Recipes Salads Snacks Spring Summer Thanksgiving Winter
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This recipe first appeared on Easy Good Ideas where I’m a contributor.
