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October 30, 2023

Candied Pecans

Learning how to make candied nuts is a great technique to learn because it adds a great flavor layer to most nuts. We’re here to help you learn how to make simple, delicious stovetop candied pecans.

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Candied Pecans 6
Photography by Gayle McLeod

We Love These Candied Pecans With Brown Sugar

These quick candied pecans are a total favorite in our homes. They are a great way to add a little something extra to salads, are perfect by the handful as a snack, and make a beautiful addition to a composed cheese board. They are also a thoughtful homemade hostess gift if you’re gathering a few tasty items to give someone. With cinnamon, salt, and a pinch of cayenne these candied pecans can be made on the stovetop in a jiffy. If you have walnuts instead of pecans in the pantry, you can make our Candied Walnuts.

bowls of pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, cayenne pepper and water to make homemade candied pecans
pecans in a skillet be candied in brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, cayenne pepper and water

How To Make Candied Pecans

  • Get your landing zone ready–spread a sheet of parchment or a silicone mat on the counter.

  • Heat sugar and spices in a medium skillet until sugar melts and bubbles–this is a simple caramel and you got this! No need for a candy thermometer here.

  • Stir in pecans until everything is well-coated and cook for 1-2 minutes more.

  • Remove from heat and spread out in a single layer on the prepared landing zone.

  • Let cool completely. Break apart any big clumps of pecans. Store in an airtight container (room temperature for short term, or fridge/freezer for longer term).

pecans in a skillet be candied in brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, cayenne pepper and water

Why Are My Candied Pecans Soft?

Think of us as your candy pecans customer service hotline. We’re here to help troubleshoot some common problems you might run into when making candied pecans. First, when preparing candied pecans on the stove, you’ll make a simple caramel. Be careful not to heat the sugar mixture over too high a heat. Keep a medium heat so your sugar doesn’t burn. Another thing we like to advise is to spread the pecans evenly in a single layer when you turn them onto the parchment paper/silicone baking mat. Lastly, the difference between glazed pecans and candied pecans is that glazed pecans typically call for butter and corn syrup, and result in a shinier finish, and candied pecans are most often made with sugar and egg white. We don’t use egg white as a binder, making this candied pecans without egg, super easy to make in about 10 minutes.

homemade candied pecans made with brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and cayenne pepper cooling on a piece of parchment paper

Tools You’ll Need

After You Make These Easy Candied Pecans, We’ve Got More Pecan Recipes For Ya!

Pecans add so much nutty flavor to any dish. Here’s a few of our favorite ways to use them:

homemade candied pecans made with brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and cayenne pepper cooling on a piece of parchment paper
a bowl of homemade candied pecans made with brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and cayenne pepper

Let’s Go Nuts!!

Think these are the best candied pecans? We’d love to see how you used them (or maybe they didn’t even last long enough to get off the parchment paper)! Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!

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Candied Pecans

  • Serves: 4
  • Prep Time:  5 min
  • Cook Time:  5 min
  • Calories: 131

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves (about 4 ounces)

Method

  1. Place a piece of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat on a flat work surface.

  2. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, cayenne, and 1 tablespoon water. Cook, stirring often, until the sugar melts and begins bubbling, about 1 minute.

  3. Stir the pecans into the syrup and cook, stirring, until the pecans are coated and sticky, about 1 to 2 minutes.

  4. Transfer the candied pecans to the prepared parchment paper or mat and spread out into a single layer. Allow the pecans to cool completely.

  5. Before serving, break the pecans apart. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week or refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

NOTE: You can also keep the pecans in the freezer for up to 4 weeks!

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories131
  • Protein1 g
  • Carbohydrates14 g
  • Total Fat9 g
  • Dietary Fiber1 g
  • Cholesterol0 mg
  • sodium145 mg
  • Total Sugars13 g

Candied Pecans

Questions & Reviews

Join the discussion below.

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  • Cynthia

    Can you get the same result using walnuts in place of pecans?

    Yes!

  • Jenn

    These are incredibly simple and so delicious to throw in salads or just eat as a snack. Absolutely love them!

    Thanks we love them too!