Candied Pecans
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This candied pecans recipe is an absolute must for the holidays! Sweet, salty, and crunchy nuts are perfect for serving with cocktails and appetizers, topping salads, or just snacking by the handful.
Photo by Alexandra Grablewski (Chronicle Books, 2018)
These sweet, spicy, and salty candied pecans are madly delicious. They’re perfect for serving with cocktails or just keeping on hand as a snack during the holidays. They also make a fabulous homemade gift, and the simple ingredients come together in just minutes. Pair them with a cheese board for a delightful pop of sweet flavor and crunch, or use them to jazz up roasted vegetables, salads, or grain bowls. They’re almost like candy but packed with protein, so you can totally justify grabbing a handful (or two!). The best part? You only need four ingredients and 15 minutes to make them. What are you waiting for?
What You’ll Need To Make Candied Pecans
- Confectioners’ sugar: Combined with water, it creates a syrupy glaze when baked, coating the pecans evenly and caramelizing the exterior. Do not substitute granulated sugar or brown sugar.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness of the sugar.
- Cayenne pepper: Provides a subtle kick. While the candied nuts aren’t spicy at all, you can omit the cayenne or replace it with ground cinnamon if you prefer. If you want to up the heat, you can add a little more cayenne to the glaze mixture.
- Water: Mixed with the sugar and seasonings, helps create a syrupy consistency to coat the pecans evenly.
- Pecan Halves: Pecans make wonderful candied nuts because their crevices absorb the flavorful glaze during baking. While smooth nuts like almonds and cashews can work, walnuts make the best alternative to pecans.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine the Confectioners’ sugar, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, and 4 teaspoons of water in a medium bowl.
Whisk until combined.
Add the pecans to the sugar mixture and stir until evenly coated.
Place the nuts on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the nuts are crusty on top and caramelized on the bottom. Slide the parchment off of the baking sheet onto a countertop to stops the nuts from cooking.
When the nuts are completely cool, use your hands to break them apart. Transfer the nuts to a bowl and serve.
The nuts will keep nicely for a few weeks stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Video Tutorial
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Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- ½ cup confectioners' sugar
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 teaspoons water
- 2 cups pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, and water.
- Add the pecans to the sugar mixture and stir until the nuts are evenly coated.
- Transfer the pecans to the prepared baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Do your best to make sure the nuts are evenly spread out (if they are clumped together, they won't cook evenly). Scrape out every last bit of glaze from the bowl and drizzle over the nuts. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the pecans are caramelized and the caramel on the baking sheet is a rich brown color but not burnt. (The nuts around the edges will darken first; watch closely so they don't burn.)
- Immediately slide the parchment off of the hot baking sheet and allow the pecans to cool completely on the countertop (this stops the cooking process and prevents the nuts from burning). Once cool, remove the pecans from the parchment, breaking apart any clusters if necessary, and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Notes
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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Jen, can I make these a month ahead of time and freeze them?
Thanks-love your recipes “
So glad you like the recipes! Unfortunately, I don’t think the nuts would freeze well — sorry!
Just a thought. Put a few in the freezer and see what happens.
Jenn you really need to put a warning on these pecans. They are so ADDICTIVE. This recipe is so much better than any store bought candied nuts. I am heading back to make more. Once my husband and sons get a taste of these I will only see an empty bowl. Thanks again for a great recipe.
Hi Jenn,
Is it possible to sub in some brown sugar or maple syrup for that fall/holiday flavor?
Btw, made these as written and they are amazing!
Hi JJ, Glad you like these! I’ve only tried the recipe with Confectioners’ sugar so can’t say for sure, but I worry the brown sugar or syrup might cause the nuts to burn. Sorry!
Oh goodness. Just one thought on these glazed pecans…..if using as a topping on salads, make two batches. Family will eat all of first batch and leave you none for salad! Thank you for another wonderful recipe. Your pumpkin pie is the best…your pecan pie is the best. Those were my two adult favorites for thanksgiving dessert. Making the delicious blueberry pound cake now to serve for dessert for guests tonight. Serving with a few fresh blueberries on top and hazelnut coffee with Baileys. If my Baking sounds divine to any readers ….just thank Jenn.
She’s the genius behind my success.
💗
Fabulous! I used Swerve, the confectioners substitute. I used them in a Brussel Sprouts recipe with bacon and on top of a low carb crustless pumpkin pie. So many possibilities!!
This sounds like an amazing recipe! Is there a conversion to the metric system for this recipe?
Hi Tina, I added the metric conversions. Hope you enjoy!
Oh my, my, my! Delicious and incredibly easy! Sweet, but not too sweet. Salty, but not too salty. Because I’m taking them to my daughter-in-law’s for Thanksgiving and they have kids, I reduced the cayenne and added a bit of cinnamon. Next time, I’ll triple the recipe and put in all the cayenne. Thanks, Jenn! Another winner!
These are the BEST candied pecans! Sweet, salty and just the right amount of spice! Made them last year and I’m back for more. I can’t believe I never thought of using powdered sugar instead of relying on egg white for the “stick”. I use silicone baking mats for most of my baking, so used them instead of the parchment – I think it did lengthen the bake time a little but they came out great! Thank you so much, this one’s a keeper!
Jenn-these nuts are to die for. Been making them for a while and love them! I’m curious though….could you substitute melted butter for the water?
Hi Rebekah, That’s a good question. I think it would probably work, but it may make the nuts feel greasy to the touch.
OMG to die for! Just the right amount of heat and sweet. And so easy to make. And you can’t stop it just one! Jennifer you’re evil! :0) I like one of your posters comments about trying cinnamon and such. I might try that next time with some of the cayenne as an experiment. I think these would make a great little housewarming for Christmas gift.
They make a perfect Hostess or Merry Christmas Gift. My neighbours love them as do I…aka Crack Nuts