Easy to make, these delicious candied pecans are perfect for holiday snacking! Seasoned with brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon, they take minutes to make with a few pantry staples.

overhead image of candied pecans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

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Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe

Candied nuts are a holiday favorite in our house and they are so easy to make! These candied pecans are perfectly sweet and they are always on hand for tasty holiday snacking.

Spiced brown sugar coats the nuts for a real flavor explosion, and they are perfect to serve alongside your favorite Christmas drinks!

Be sure to try my Crockpot Candied Nuts and Candied Walnuts too!

Why you’ll love easy Candied Pecans recipe:

  • SIMPLE INGREDIENTS: This recipe requires just 5 pantry staple ingredients.
  • MAKE AHEAD: These candied pecans have a great shelf life, so make up a big batch to enjoy across the holidays.
  • QUICK AND EASY: It takes minutes to make these homemade candied nuts in one pan on the stovetop.

These candied pecans are the perfect snack to have on hand during Christmas, especially when last minute guests pop round!

step by step photos for how to make candied pecans
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candied pecans in a glass container

How to make Candied Pecans

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Mix together the brown sugar, water, vanilla, cinnamon and salt and bring to a boil.
  2. Stir in the pecans til fully coated.
  3. Place them on a lined baking sheet and let fully cool.
candied pecans on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
overhead image of candied pecans in a glass container
Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?

Yes of course! This recipe will work well with all kinds of nuts. Walnuts, macadamia, peanuts or a mix all work great.

What other spices can I use in this snack recipe?

I made these pecans with cinnamon, but you could easily swap that with other spices like nutmeg or ginger. Try adding some cayenne or red pepper chili flakes for a spicy snack!

Can I top a salad with candied pecans?

These candied nuts aren’t just for snacking! They are great to add to salads for a crunchy topping! They are also great to add to a trail mix.

How far ahead of time can I make candied pecans?

Once your pecans have fully cooled, store them in an airtight container. They will keep well at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. They make for great food gifts for friends and family during the holidays!

wooden spoon with candied pecans in it

Tips!

  • If you can’t find roasted pecans, simply roast 1 pound of pecans for 10-15 minutes in a 325-degree oven, flipping them every 4-5 minutes until they reach your desired flavor.
  • Let the candied pecans cool on a lined baking sheet. Make sure that they aren’t touching or they will stick and clump together.
  • Let them cool fully before serving or storing.

This is such a great easy homemade snack recipe. Be sure to make a double batch as they disappear quickly!

candied pecans in a glass container

These candied pecans scream holiday! They are always a real crowd pleaser and the simple ingredients means you can whip them up last minute. Crunchy and sweet, they are pretty much the perfect snack!

More Simple Snack Recipes we Love

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Recipe Card

Candied Pecans Recipe

4.70 from 80 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 10
Author: Becky Hardin
featured candied pecans
Easy to make, these delicious candied pecans are perfect for holiday snacking! Seasoned with brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon, they take minutes to make with a few pantry staples.
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Equipment

  • Kitchen Scale (optional)
  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup brown sugar 213 grams
  • 2 tablespoons water 28 grams
  • teaspoons pure vanilla extract 6 grams
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 grams
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 pound roasted halved pecans 454 grams, SEE NOTE

Instructions 

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
    overhead image of ingredients for candied pecans in bowls
  • Whisk the brown sugar, water, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium-sized saucepan and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the mixture starts to bubble (do not stir; just shake the pan every 30 seconds or so).
    1 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    bubbling brown sugar mixture in a saucepan
  • Stir in the pecan halves until all of them are fully coated then drop them onto the prepared baking pan evenly spaced so they don’t stick together when fully dried.
    1 pound roasted halved pecans
    candied pecans in a saucepan
  • Let cool for 15 minutes, then serve.
    overhead image of candied pecans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • Pecans: If you can’t find roasted pecans, simply roast 1 pound of pecans for 10-15 minutes in a 325°F oven, flipping them every 4-5 minutes until they reach your desired flavor.
  • Let the candied pecans cool on a lined baking sheet. Make sure that they aren’t touching or they will stick and clump together.
  • Let them cool fully before serving or storing.
Storage: Store candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 399kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 4gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gSodium: 65mgPotassium: 217mgFiber: 4gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 26IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 1mg

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

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.70 from 80 votes (77 ratings without comment)
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10 Comments
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Lisa
Lisa
August 12, 2023 2:18 pm

I did mine with walnuts. Came out amzing

Samantha Marceau
August 16, 2023 3:35 pm
Reply to  Lisa

Thanks so much for sharing what worked for you, Lisa!

Terri
Terri
January 9, 2022 12:41 pm

Sorry, no image – they didn’t last long enough even with 4 x the recipe. Friends have already placed order for our joint vacation. Delicious!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
January 12, 2022 3:47 pm
Reply to  Terri

Sounds like a success!

Kathy
Kathy
December 16, 2021 9:33 am

Absolutely yummy! Great recipe. I can’t make them fast enough! They are gone before I start another batch. Thanks for this recipe.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 17, 2021 1:13 pm
Reply to  Kathy

Oh no! You need some helpers!

Karen
Karen
December 13, 2021 3:56 pm

Will try won’t have to buy eggs or egg whites

JOANN M. ARMSTRONG
JOANN M. ARMSTRONG
October 27, 2021 7:41 am

Easy… easy and delicious5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 2, 2021 3:09 pm

Enjoy, Joann!

Diana
Diana
October 26, 2021 2:23 pm

I’ve always tossed them in whisked egg whites then in the cinn, and sugar mix. Then toast in oven.