Easy To Make Caramelized Pecans

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Caramelized pecans are the perfect treat during the holiday season! This easy 6-ingredient recipe uses ground cinnamon, white sugar, egg whites, and delicious pecans. Quick to make, perfect for salads, snacking, food gifts, and more! These caramelized pecans turn out delicious every time and don’t require a candy thermometer!

Pecans are one of my whole family’s favorite nuts and this sweet snack is one of our favorite ways to eat them! During the holiday season, this is one of the first sweet treats I love to make and set out for family and friends to snack on! My daughter will gobble a whole batch of these up in a moment if I let her!

 In years past, I have even made large batches of these pecans, placed them in small jars and gifted them to friends and family. They are perfect to use for holiday gifts or last-minute gifts.

Suggested Uses 

• Enjoy candied pecans on top of salads for added sweetness and a bit of texture and crunch.
• Sprinkle on oatmeal or add them to the top of maple crepes or pancakes.
• Add them with roasted vegetables to give a new flavor combination. 
• Chop them up and add them to baking recipes like bread, cookies, and scones.
• Place them on a charcuterie board or cheese board for a sweet, tasty treat.

Ways to Caramelize Pecans

In The Oven

This is the most common method of making caramelized candied pecans! It is a very easy recipe and as long as you don’t let the pecans toast for too long, they will come out perfectly every single time.

On The Stovetop

This candied pecan recipe is an easy stovetop recipe too. The main difference is that a stove top recipe does not require egg whites as an ingredient. The egg whites are added to the oven to help the mixtures stick to the pecans.

Ingredient Substitutions For Candied Pecans

Although this recipe is wonderful as written, I like to adjust or alter it to try new delicious variations. I recommend that you try it as written once and then try experimenting with the recipe after that. Here are a few simple ingredients that I like to change up:

Spices

There are so many delicious spices and depending on the time of the year, it can be fun to try changing this recipe up. Cinnamon is the most common spice used for caramelized pecans but you can try cardamom, cloves, allspice, or even pumpkin pie spice. Try adding some heat to these with cayenne pepper, or even smoked paprika.

Sugar

This easy candied pecans recipe calls for white sugar, however, if you are wanting a richer, more molasses-type flavor try substituting brown sugar instead. You can also try taking out the sugar altogether and adding maple syrup instead. 

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla will give your nuts a rich full sweetness. Simply add up to 1 teaspoon to the ingredient list.

Fat

Although there is no fat added in this recipe for caramelized pecans, adding a tablespoon of butter is quite common and will add richness to your pecans. A tablespoon of coconut oil is another acceptable substitute.

Egg

The egg is only necessary for candied pecans done in the oven. This is an ingredient that can be left out for the stovetop.

 How to Make Caramelized Pecans

EQUIPMENT

• Baking pan
• Non Stick Skillet
• Parchment Paper

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 egg white (oven only)
• 1 tablespoon water
• 500 grams of pecans, whole or halves

DIRECTIONS

In the Oven

1. Begin by preheating the oven to 250 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the white sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt.

3. Whisk the egg white and water together in a separate bowl until frothy. 
4. Toss the fresh pecans in the egg-white mixture. 
5. Mix the cinnamon sugar mixture into the pecan mixture until the pecans are coated. 

6. Spread pecans evenly onto a baking sheet. Make sure you add a parchment paper liner before spreading your pecans on the baking sheet. This will save you a lot of time when cleaning the cookie sheet after.

7. Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, until pecans are evenly browned, approximately 1 hour.
8. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely. Scrap the pecans off using a spatula.
9. Enjoy the most delicious caramelized pecans!

On the Stovetop

1. In a large sized skillet on medium heat, combine the sugar, cinnamon, and kosher salt and add the tablespoon of water to help the mixture dissolve.

2. Continue to stir the liquid mixture until it looks hot, bubbly and like a glaze.
3. Add the pecans to the glazed sugar mixture. Make sure to flatten them into a single layer. 
4. Stir continuously for approximately 3 minutes as the liquid reduces and glazes the nuts. Be careful not to get any of the mixtures on your skin at this point. It will be extremely hot!

5. Once the liquid no longer looks sticky, remove the pecans from the skillet onto a piece of parchment paper. Spread them out using a spatula and allow them to fully cool.
6. Break apart the caramelized pecans and ENJOY!

Tips and Tricks for Making Candied Pecans

• If you want to make a big batch of caramelized pecans, double the recipe.
• Don’t be afraid to try different spices or fats with this recipe. It is fun to experiment!
• Make a large batch of pecans and then simply store them in the refrigerator or freezer. I like to use them for baking, on salads, for a quick snack and more.
• Candied pecans are delicious during the holiday season. Make a large batch, add them to a cute festive jar and gift them to friends or family for Christmas.

Storing Caramelized Pecans

Caramelized pecans can be stored at room temperature for a week or two but the flavor does tend to go the longer they are left. To store them for an extended length of time, simply place them in an airtight container or toss them into zip-top freezer bags in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months!

I hope you love this great recipe as much as my family does, especially at Christmas time. Make sure you Pin this recipe to use again later! For more delicious simple recipes my family loves, try these scrumptious salted chocolate caramel toffee recipe or this oreo fudge recipe! 

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