5 Star Reader Comment
These are the best pecans I’ve ever tasted. I get compliments every time I bring them to a party. My girlfriend loves them so much. She eats them before Christmas because she can’t wait and can’t stop.
B. McLane
You Won’t Be Able To Eat Just One!
I am totally obsessed with these Candied Pecans! I started making them a few years ago when I needed a quick yet elegant snack for a holiday party. Little did I know they’d become a staple I’d make all year round.
Here’s what makes them so special:
- Forget about complicated stovetop candy-making. My recipe is baked in the oven, so you can toss the pecans in the coating, pop them in, and let the magic happen!
- I love serving them with cocktails before supper, sprinkling them over salads, or adding them to a holiday cheese board alongside pimento cheese and salami chips.
- And when it comes to homemade gifts, a bag of these pecans tied with ribbon is as Southern as it gets — simple, thoughtful, and always appreciated.
Y’all enjoy
Donya’s Tips for the Best Candied Pecans
- Use fresh pecans: Old or stale nuts can taste bitter. Taste-test before you bake.
- Line your pan: Parchment paper makes cleanup so much easier.
- Cool completely: Let pecans cool before storing to keep that crunchy coating intact.
- Double the batch: They disappear fast, and extras freeze beautifully.
If you love easy, snackable bites, try Sweet and Spicy Roasted Nuts, Spicy Cheese Cracker Snack Mix, and my Sweet & Nutty Snack Mix.
Ingredients at a Glance
- Pecans: Fresh pecan halves.
- Sugar blend: White sugar + brown sugar for the perfect caramel crunch.
- Warm spices: Cinnamon for sweetness, cayenne for optional heat.
- Egg white: Helps the coating stick and crisp in the oven.
Variations to Try
- No heat: Skip the cayenne if you prefer only sweet.
- Other nuts: Walnuts, almonds, or cashews also work.
- Spice it up: Try pumpkin spice for fall or Cajun seasoning for savory snacking.
Step By Step Directions
- Add white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne pepper to a large ziplock bag. Toss to combine. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk egg white until frothy. Add pecans and toss to coat.
- Pour the pecans into the bag with the sugar mixture. Toss until coated.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the oven for 40 minutes. Toss after 20 minutes and continue to cook. Remove from oven and let cool.
More Easy Snack Recipes
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (option)
- 4 cups pecans halves
- 1 egg white
Instructions
- Heat oven to 300 degrees. Prepare a 9×11 baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- To a large ziplock bag, add white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne pepper. Toss to combine. Set aside.
- In a medium-size bowl, whisk egg white until frothy. Add in pecans and toss to coat. Pour the pecans into the bag with sugar mixture. Toss until pecans are coated. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake in oven for 40 minutes. Toss after 20 minutes and continue to cook. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Notes
-
- Less heat: My family loves the sweetness and heat together, but if yours doesn’t, leave out the cayenne pepper.
-
- Nut options: this recipe will also work for walnuts cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, or peanuts.
-
- Mix up the spices: use spice mixes like pumpkin spice, Cajun, or Mexican blends.
Nutrition
How To Use Candied Pecans In Recipes
These are delicious just to snack on, but they are also tasty in this Everyday Green Salad or Waldorf Salad. We also love to top Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes and Easy Cinnamon Rolls with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t recommend it because it doesn’t stick as well to the pecans when baked. A liquid sweetener works better for a stovetop recipe.
No, the egg white is super important for helping the seasoning stick. A whole egg will create more scrambled eggs.
Once completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They will last a bit longer, but the flavors start to diminish after the first week.
Yes! Put them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
If you tried this Candied Pecans Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
My New eBook!
Top 25 Viral Recipes
Whether you’re cooking for two, feeding a busy family, or filling your home with friends, I’m cheering you on from my kitchen. I hope this eBook brings you comfort, creativity, and plenty of delicious moments around your table.
5 Days of Southern Summer Favorites!
GET THIS FREE GUIDE: A collection of the best seasonal recipes to help you make this the best summer ever!
My family raved about these pecans said they were the best yet! Making another batch today!
Jeannie, I love this! Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad you are cooking with me.
~Donya
Very delicious and easy to make! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
You are so welcome, Tonnie!
Thanks,
~Donya
Enjoyed these pecans on a Spinach Strawberry salad from an online website. I will make these again, they were well received by my Easter dinner guests.
These are the best pecans I’ve ever tasted. I get compliments every time I bring them to a party. My girlfriend loves them so much. She eats them before Christmas because she can’t wait and can’t stop.
I love this! Thank you for sharing and the great rating.
Merry Christmas,
~Donya
These are the Best pecans I have ever had. All my friends and family rave about them and want the recipe. I have made so many times.
Thank you for such a delicious recipe.
Thank you, Brenda! And I so appreciate the terrific rating.
~Donya
Fabulous, simply fabulous! Became obsessed with these while living in Raleigh, almost 40 years ago. (A Yankee by birth, but with a Southern Soul.)
Hadn’t made these in a few years, knew the basic ingredients but wanted to find a written recipe. So glad I found yours. Will definitely explore your site for more of my Southern faves!
Thanks so much, and I’m thrilled you are here. I so appreciate the outstanding rating.
~Donya
Donna these are fabulous! I actually made it with a combination of a few different kinds of nuts that I needed to do songwriter with! Can you tell me 1) best way to store and 2) can they be frozen. Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Thanks! Store in an airtight container. I’ve never frozen them but you can give it a try.
~Donya
Best South recpies.
Hey there Lydia!
Thank you so much for your kind words of support! Southern cooking has always been a passion of mine, and being able to share these recipes is so special, it warms my heart to hear that you’ve been enjoying the dishes. If you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to reach out, I’m always happy to help!
~Donya
These pecans are so delicious I can’t stop eating them after just a few. Whenever I make them my friends are so excited about them. Everyone wants the recipe. I don’t even know how many times I have made them, but I know the recipe by heart. SO YUMMY.
Hey there Brenda!
Wow! Thank you so much, for both your kind words and your incredible rating. I am so pleased to hear you’ve enjoyed this recipe. I completely agree, it’s one of those recipes you’ll make once and you’re hooked. Thank you so much for your support, it warms my heart to hear you and your loved ones have enjoyed it!
~Donya
Love this recipe! So easy too. Plan to add this to my list of goodies I gift at Christmas.