Mom's Easy Candied Pecans are a perfect hostess gift, holiday party appetizer, or salad topping for the season -- with just 5 minutes of prep! Add them to your next cheeseboard, wrap them up for your child's school teacher, or just grab a handful on the run. You've never tasted such delicious spiced nuts!
My mom has been making these cinnamon sugar pecans during the holidays for as long as I can remember! She shares them with neighbors, she gifts them to me (because she knows that I love them), and she keeps a stash in her pantry to add to her own salads or cheese trays throughout the season. They are a family tradition, and I can't wait for you to see why!
What are Candied Pecans?
Not familiar with these spiced nuts? Candied Pecans are crispy, crunchy glazed pecans that include sugar, salt and warm seasonings like cinnamon and nutmeg. The nuts are tossed in an egg white before getting baked in the oven, which gives them an amazing, thick coating that you can't duplicate in any other way.
Are these pecans gluten free?
Yes, these nuts are gluten-free, so you can safely share them with all of your wheat-intolerant friends!
How to Make Candied Pecans:
This just might be the best news of all! Unlike intricately decorated sugar cookies or shelf-stable jars of homemade jam, these easy candied pecans are a holiday treat that comes together with about 5 minutes of prep. Plus, you only need a handful of very basic ingredients. Check out just how simple this process can be...
First, whisk together an egg white and water.
Toss the egg white mixture with pecans to coat.
In a small bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, salt, cloves and nutmeg.
Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the pecans and stir. Then just spread the nuts on a baking sheet and pop them in a 350-degree F oven for about 25 minutes. Remember to stir the nuts every 10 minutes or so. This will help them toast evenly (and not burn)!
How to Store Candied Pecans:
Allow the pecans to cool for at least 30 minutes. They will continue to crisp up and harden as they cool.
Once they are no longer warm, store the nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for at least 2-3 weeks. If you want them to last even longer, you can keep them in the refrigerator. Remember -- do not package your warm nuts! They need to be completely cool before storing them.
Can you freeze the spiced nuts?
Yes! If you want these pecans to last for months, store them in an airtight container in the freezer. They will keep for at least 3 months.
How to serve Candied Pecans:
- On Salad: The sweet, salty, and crunchy nuts make the perfect addition to your next salad. Try them on top of my Fall Harvest Salad with Pumpkin Goddess Dressing, or on top of my Autumn's Best Tossed Salad with Apple Butter Vinaigrette!
- On Oatmeal or Yogurt: The nuts give these smooth and creamy breakfast options a nice added crunch! Try them on top of my Eggnog Overnight Oats, on top of a bowl of Pumpkin Spice Slow Cooker Oatmeal, garnishing a Frosted Sugar Cookie Protein Shake, stirred into some vanilla Greek yogurt with an extra dash of cinnamon, or atop a slice of warm Cranberry Baked Oatmeal.
- On a Cheese Tray: Arrange a bowl (or two) of candied pecans on your next cheeseboard. They're a delicious, satisfying complement to cheese, crackers, grapes, and wine!
Make a few batches of these perfectly spiced nuts and share them with loved ones this season (or hoard them all for yourself...that's okay and totally understandable)!
Looking for other homemade gifts to share with friends this season? Try these favorites:
- Grandmother's Bourbon Balls
- 3-Ingredient Scottish Shortbread Cookies
- Slow Cooker Apple Butter
- Old-Fashioned Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies
Mom's Easy Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 egg white
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 3 cups pecan halves
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat.
- Whisk together egg white and water. Add pecans and stir until completely coated.
- Mix together sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in a bowl. Sprinkle over the nuts and stir to combine.
- Spread nuts on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 23-27 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, or until nuts are toasted (but not burned). Keep your eye on them during the final 5 minutes, because mine were ready to come out of the oven after just 24 minutes.
- The nuts will continue to crisp and harden as they cool. When the nuts are entirely cooled, store in airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in December, 2015. It was updated in November, 2018.
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado
Yet another fantastic christmas-flavored recipe in the books!! I would put these in everything, from salads to oatmeal, just like you mentioned 🙂
Blair
You're so kind, Bethany! Thank you!!
Debbie
I made two batches of the candied pecans - so quick and easy to make ! They are fabulous - gave some away in small mason jars, and kept plenty for us. These are going to be an annual tradition. Many thanks to you, and your Mom, for sharing this recipe
Blair
Yay! Aren't they the best? I'm so glad that you loved them as much as we do!
Pat
Could you make these with Walnuts?
currently walnut have been cheaper at the store than pecans.
Blair
Absolutely! The walnuts would be delicious, too!