Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Dec 17, 2017, Updated Dec 22, 2023

4.97 from 66 votes

114 Comments

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This homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe is easy to make with only 6 ingredients & is so much more delicious than the nuts from the mall or fair! Make a batch of candied pecans and use them a salad topper, enjoy as a sweet snack, or give away as holiday gifts.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (2)

You know when you’re walking through the mall and you smell something amazing? You look around and realize that the heavenly aroma is coming from a glazed nut stand. So, you casually walk by because youknow there will be a free sample…

Well, these Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans are better than those nuts you find at the mall or fair! They are so easy to make and have very few ingredients! The only wet ingredients for anentire batch is 1 egg white and 1 tablespoon of vanilla! No butter! No oil! But definitely no sacrificing on taste.

This recipe has been a staple in my life for almost 20 years now.I always have these on hand. They’re freezer friendly, so you can make a batch, eat some warm from the oven, and freeze the rest to toss on salads or enjoy as a sweet snack.

They also make great gifts for friends and neighbors for the holidays (along with Christmas Cookies). Wrap them in a cute cellophane bag or mason jar and give your loved ones an extra special treat.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (3)

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans: Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Pecans.Use raw, unsalted pecans halves in this candied pecan recipe. I don’t recommend any substitutions. Check out my candied almonds or candied walnuts if you’d prefer to use different nuts.
  • Granulated Sugar. organic cane sugar is a good substitute. Readers have had success making a refined-sugar free version using coconut sugar.
  • Egg White.Use a large egg white to make these candied pecans. Remember, the size of your egg will effect the amount of pecans used.
  • Sea Salt.I only bake with pure, fine sea salt. If you only have iodized table salt, you will need to cut the amount of salt in half.
  • Ground Cinnamon.Use a high-quality ground cinnamon for the absolute best flavor!
  • Vanilla extract.Please only use pure vanilla extract, no imitation!
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (4)

How to make Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

Like I’ve said before, these candied pecans are easy to make, but we will walk through the recipe step by step to ensure you success – and don’t forget to watch the video.

Combine the dry ingredients

Begin by mixing together the sugar, sea salt and cinnamon in a small bowl, then set it aside. It’s important to thoroughly mix the dry ingredients so they are evenly distributed on the candied pecans.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (5)

Whisk Wet Ingredients

Use either a wire whisk or a hand mixer and beat the egg white and vanilla together until frothy. (You will notice in the video that the mixture is a little whiter, that is just because the egg white was beaten longer). You just need the wet mixture to be frothy, you do not want to beat the egg whites until they are stiff.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (6)

Add Pecans

Next, add the pecans to the wet mixture and stir until thoroughly combined and coated.

Note on the Amount of Pecans

Start by adding a little less than 4 cups of pecans to the wet mixture, and slowly add the rest to be sure there are no dry pecans and no wet mixture stuck to the sides of the bowl. The amount of nuts can vary slightly depending on the size of your egg white.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (7)

Add dry ingredients

Next, stir in the dry ingredients until the pecans are evenly coated.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (8)

Bake

The baking time, temperature and method isextremely important in this cinnamon sugar pecans recipe.

  • Do not use parchment paper/foil!Do bake these Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans directly on the pan. When you stir the pecans, you need to reincorporate the cinnamon sugar “syruP” from the pan onto the nuts, and parchment paper/foil soaks up the liquid, which results in less coated nuts and a big old mess. You can use a silicone baking mat but it’s not necessary.
  • Do not adjust baking time.Bake at 250 for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Even if theyseem done after 45 minutes, the extra 15 minutes gives these Cinnamon Sugar Pecansthe perfect crispiness that’s retained even after freezing.
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (9)

Serve

You won’t be able to resist eating these candied pecans warm fresh from the oven. They are to die for and not only taste delicious, but they make your house smell like cinnamon-sugar heaven.Here are some serving suggestions:

  • Serve with this balsamic vinaigrette on a salad for a delicious combo.
  • Sprinkle some on these roasted beets! SO GOOD!
  • Add a few to this kale salad, brussels sprouts salad, burrata salad or this roasted vegetable quinoa salad!
  • Sprinkle some on top of these overnight oats with yogurt!
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (10)

How to Store Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

This candied pecans recipe makes a large batch. I always make the full recipe and enjoy some, then store or freeze the rest for later. I like to have them on hand to pull out and use on salads.

Store them at room temperature in an airtight container (glass jar) for up to 2 weeks.

How to Freeze Candied Pecans

  1. Let the pecans cool completely.
  2. Transfer candied pecans to a freezer-friendly, airtight container.
  3. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  4. Thaw at room temperature and enjoy. They thaw very quickly, and even taste great frozen.
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (11)

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Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (12)

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (13)

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Cinnamon Sugar Pecans (Candied Pecans)

Laura

This homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe is easy to make with only 6 ingredients & is so much more delicious than the nuts from the mall or fair! Plus, these candied pecans are gluten & dairy-free & freezer-friendly! Make a batch, store them in the freezer and use as a salad topper or enjoy as a sweet snack!

4.97 from 66 votes

Course condiment, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 32 Servings

Calories 112

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Cook Time1 hour hour

Total Time1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Grease a large baking sheet. (Do not use parchment paper or foil. Bake directly on the greased pan).

  • In a small bowl, combine sugar, sea salt, and cinnamon, set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl, whip egg white and vanilla with a until frothy (about 1 minute). Either whisk by hand or use a handheld mixer.

  • Add pecans to wet mixture 1 cup at a time, stirring to coat the nuts evenly. Depending on the size of your egg white you may use slightly more or less than 4 cups pecans. Just make sure all nuts are well coated before adding more.

  • Once pecans are completely coated, sprinkle the dry ingredients over the pecans and stir until evenly distributed. Make sure to scrape any extra cinnamon sugar mixture off the sides and bottom of the bowl and incorporate it into the pecan.

  • Spread the pecans evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

  • Bake at 250 degrees F for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes (you will stir 3 times before removing from the oven).

  • Let cool or enjoy them warm.

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the freezer.

Video

Notes

*This recipe makes 4 cups of candied pecans.

Please follow baking time exactly. Even if they seem done at 45 minutes do not skip the last 15 minutes of baking.

IngredientSubstitutions

  • Pecans.Use raw, unsalted pecans halves in this candied pecan recipe. I don’t recommend any substitutions. Check out my candied almonds if you’d prefer almonds.
  • Granulated Sugar.Regular granulated sugar and organic cane sugar are the two varieties I have used to make these cinnamon sugar pecans. Readers have had success making a refined-sugar free version using coconut sugar.
  • Egg White.Use a large egg white to make these candied pecans. Remember, the size of your egg will effect the amount of pecans used!
  • Sea Salt.I only ever bake with pure, fine sea salt. If you only have iodized table salt, you will need to cut the amount of salt in half.
  • Ground Cinnamon.Use a high-quality ground cinnamon for the absolute best flavor!
  • Vanilla extract.Please only use pure vanilla extract, no imitation!

Store

Store candied pecans at room temperature in an airtight container (glass jar) for up to 2 weeks.

Freeze

  • Let the cinnamon sugar pecans cool completely.
  • Transfer candied pecans to a freezer-friendly, airtight container.
  • Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw at room temperature and enjoy. They thaw very quickly, and even taste great frozen.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 74mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

    Try these recipes

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    Strawberry Spinach Salad

    Candied Walnuts

    Roasted Beets Recipe

    Easy Overnight Oats with Yogurt

    Best Christmas Cookie Recipes

    Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    Why are my candied pecans soggy? ›

    Why are my candied pecans soft and sticky? If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

    Why do you soak pecans before roasting? ›

    Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

    How long will candied pecans keep? ›

    How long will candied pecans keep? They will keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature, at least three weeks in the refrigerator, or up to two months in the freezer. No matter where you store them, keep in a tightly sealed, airtight container.

    Are cinnamon pecans good for you? ›

    Pecans also contain significant amounts of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, vitamin A, zinc and magnesium. Not to mention that these maple cinnamon pecans are free from refined sugar and naturally sweetened with real maple syrup, making this the perfect healthy snack.

    How many pecans does it take to make 1 lb? ›

    For a pound of nutmeat, you will need 2½ pounds of in-shell pecans. In order to help you maintain the highest quality pecan meats, we have developed the following guide to help you understand the best way to handle and store your pecans.

    How to make candied pecans less sticky? ›

    Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt makes these taste salty-sweet. If you'd prefer to not taste the salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325°F (162°C) and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

    Why do pecans make you go to the bathroom? ›

    Since Pecan nuts are fiber -packed, and 1 ounce provides 11% DV of fiber they promote good colon health and facilitate regular bowel movements.

    Why do you boil pecans before cracking? ›

    Boiling pecans before cracking them can actually help prevent the shell from shattering.

    How do you get the bitterness out of pecans? ›

    Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking. To "sweeten" the pecan meats (kernels), simply put the pecan kernels in a bowl and fill with lukewarm water. Stir and tumble the meats in the water for several minutes and you will see the discoloration in the water.

    How many cups is 1 pound of pecans? ›

    Measurements and Substitutions

    If you happen to have pecans in their shells, remember that 1 pound equals 3 cups shelled, about 4 cups pecan halves, and about 3 3/4 cups chopped nuts. Equivalents to know when using shelled pecans are that 1 pound equals 4 cups and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped.

    Can dogs have pecans? ›

    These nuts are toxic for dogs. Eating them can result in pets becoming sick and needing immediate veterinary care. “The reason pecans are considered toxic is that they contain a compound called juglone, also found in walnuts, that is harmful to dogs,” advises Dr.

    How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

    Stir them every 10 minutes or so to avoid them clumping together, or you can just break them apart with a spatula or your hands later. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

    What organ are pecans good for? ›

    Pecans are also uniquely high in good fats and other heart healthy nutrients which is why this special nut is certified by the American Heart Association's® Heart-Check Program.

    Is it OK to eat pecans every day? ›

    Eating a handful of pecans each day can help satisfy cravings for unhealthy snacks and provide a nutritious boost to any meal. Furthermore, pecans can also be included as part of a healthy diet when combined with other nutrient-rich foods in moderation.”

    Can you eat too many pecans in a day? ›

    Like many other nuts, pecans contain a high percentage of fat and can lead to diarrhea if too many are eaten in a short amount of time. Over-consumption may also lead to digestive issues like gas and bloating. Recommendation: One ounce (15-19) pecan halves per day.

    Why are my pecans mushy? ›

    Humidity above these values can cause kernel molding and pecan texture deterioration (pecans become soft and rubber-like), whereas lower humidities will cause excessive drying. In-shell pecan kernels will darken under high humidity as a result of the tannic acid being dissolved from the shell lining.

    Why is my pecan candy soft? ›

    If you don't beat it long enough, then pralines won't set properly and will stay soft and sticky. Work quickly to drop heaping tablespoons of pecan praline mixture onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. I find that it works best to use a cookie dough scoop.

    How do you fix soggy nuts? ›

    Spread the stale snacks out on a cookie sheet and place in a 350o F oven. Let them bake for about 10 minutes and then remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cooled the snacks should be crispy and refreshed. You can use this method with fresh nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts, etc.

    How do you keep pecan pie from getting soggy? ›

    Blind Bake

    The most common way to ward off a soggy pie crust is by a process called blind baking. Blind baking means you pre-bake the crust (sometimes covered with parchment or foil and weighed down with pie weights to prevent the crust from bubbling up) so that it sets and crisps up before you add any wet filling.

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