These easy oven-baked candied pecans provide a delightful mix of salty and sweet, perfect for snacking, enhancing salads, or gifting. With just a few ingredients, you can quickly whip up a batch. Let’s dive in and get started!
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
INGREDIENTS
- Pecans: For the best results, use fresh, raw pecan halves (see tips below for choosing pecans).
- Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: A combination of cinnamon, sugar, and salt creates a sweet, brittle coating as the pecans bake.
- Egg Whites + Water: These help bind the cinnamon sugar to the pecans and ensure they become crispy during baking.
- Vanilla: Adds a touch of extra flavor.
CHOOSING PECANS
When selecting pecans, there are many options available—whole, halved, chopped, roasted, sweetened, salted, and more. For making candied pecans, follow these tips:
- Opt for Unsweetened and Unsalted Pecans: Look for pecans labeled as raw.
- Check Freshness: Ensure the pecans haven’t been sitting on the shelf past their expiration date.
- Select Plump and Uniform Halves: Choose pecans that are golden brown and consistent in appearance.
- Storage: If buying ahead of time, keep your pecans in an airtight container. Shelled pecans can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 9 months or in the freezer for up to 2 years.
INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS
- Nuts: This recipe isn’t limited to pecans. Feel free to use walnuts, almonds, cashews, or a mix of your favorite nuts.
- Spices: Experiment with other spices such as nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, clove, a pinch of cayenne, apple pie spice, or pumpkin spice to customize your candied nuts.
STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS
While some candied nut recipes involve complex candy-making techniques with a thermometer and precise measurements, these cinnamon-sugar pecans are incredibly easy to make.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 250°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Make the Cinnamon Sugar: In a large zip-top bag, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- Combine Liquid Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites, water, and vanilla extract.
- Coat the pecans in egg white mixture: Add the pecans to the bowl with the egg white mixture and gently stir them with a rubber spatula, ensuring that each pecan is thoroughly coated.
- Transfer to cinnamon-sugar mixture: Use a slotted spoon to lift the pecans out of the egg white mixture and transfer them to the bag with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Seal the bag and shake it well to coat the pecans evenly.
- Spread on baking sheet: Using a clean slotted spoon, remove the pecans from the bag and arrange them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake + stir: Bake for 1 hour, stirring them every 15 minutes.
- Cool + store candied pecans: Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
STORING + SHELF-LIFE
Counter: Store your candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Gifting: Pack the pecans in a cellophane treat bag or glass jar, label them, and gift them to loved ones.
Fridge: For extended freshness, keep the pecans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Freezer: For long-term storage, place the pecans in a freezer-safe container, where they will remain fresh for up to 2 months.
HOW TO USE CANDIED PECANS
I love snacking on these sweet pecans and also enjoy gifting them during the holidays. Here are some other great ways to use candied pecans:
- Sprinkle them on top of my signature salad.
- Substitute them for plain pecans in a shaved Brussels sprout salad.
- Use them as a delightful garnish for a delicious carrot cake.
- Chop them up and mix them into your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe.
CONCLUSION
Cinnamon-sugar candied pecans are a delightful treat that combines the nutty crunch of pecans with the warm, inviting flavors of cinnamon and sugar. This simple yet satisfying snack is perfect for a quick bite, as a topping for desserts, or even as a thoughtful gift. With their irresistible sweetness and addictive texture, candied pecans are sure to become a favorite in any household. So why not give this recipe a try and experience the magic of these delectable treats for yourself?
