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?
“I made these just as written and they are PERFECT!! I plan to make another batch to take on a car trip next weekend. I’ll need to pack them in the trunk so I don’t eat them all before I get there!”
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: Adds a savory balance to 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. Alternatively, 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; this stops the nuts from overcooking on the hot baking sheet.
When the nuts are completely cool, use your hands to break them apart. Transfer the nuts to a bowl and serve.
Make-Ahead & Storage Instructions
The nuts will keep nicely for a few weeks stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Feel free to store them in the refrigerator for a slightly longer shelf life.
Video Tutorial
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Candied Pecans
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.
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 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.
- Note: If the nuts are sticky after cooling, that means they are a bit undercooked. Pop them back in the oven for a few minutes and let cool again.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (8 servings)
- Serving size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 217
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Sugar: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Sodium: 178 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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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I’ve made these pecans several times now. I’m amazed at how good they are with such few ingredients. My only hint is to be sure to bake until they are crusty on top or else they will be sticky when cooled.
Thought I’d try these for giving as a hostess gift over Christmas. They are perfect! Just the right amount of heat and sweet. I did have to bake mine about 10 min longer. Once Upon a Chef is my go-to website, I have made so many of Jenn’s recipes and they are all amazing!!! Boo hoo, as a Canadian we can’t get in on the Breville oven giveaway!!!
I substituted cinnamon for the cayenne, because I didn’t want the spicy flavor. Used 2 and 1/2 cups pecans, and there was plenty of coating. Could probably use another 1/4 cup of pecans. Watch carefully so you don’t burn them! Delicious and so easy!
I made these nuts as a Thanksgiving appetizer. Everyone loved them! I’ve made them 2 times more in less than a week! I’m going to make them for Christmas gifts for all of my out of town friends and relatives!!!! Thanks Jen for such an easy gift! I love all of your recipes!!!!
Do you recommend raw pecans or previously roasted/salted?
The only nuts I had on hand were raw almonds and they just don’t have that crunch. Perhaps it’s the type of nut.
I do have Trader Joe’s Roasted and Salted Pecans, but they are already pretty crunchy. Not sure if I should try this recipe with them.
Thanks so much. Love your recipes and website.
Hi Camille, either raw or roasted pecans will work (but I wouldn’t use ones that are already salted). So glad you like the recipes – hope you enjoy this one too!
So good – huge hit at Thanksgiving and we’ll be making more for gifts this holiday season!
Excellent recipe, made it for xmas girls afternoon, now they want me to do 4 lbs for the hospital auxiliary Xmas bake sale!! Love your recipes and ideas.
Hi Jenn,
I have young kids so am reluctant to add the cayenne pepper. Will they be ok if I leave it out or is there something I should add in its place?
Thanks!
Fine to leave it out, Elizabeth. Enjoy!
Oh my! Going to a cocktailmparty this evening, wanted to bring a nibbly and so I made these! Did not use all pecans, had some cashews, almonds and peanuts as well, turned our absolutely amazing. I hope there will be some left to share! I highly recommend this. Fast, somple, easy clean up. Thanks for this great recipe.
How long will the keep in a sealed container? Wanting to make them as a wedding favor so I would like to make them in advance.
Hi Kellie, These are best if eaten within about a week (but you can probably get away with a few extra days tacked onto that. 🙂