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Candied Pecans Recipe

Sweet, crunchy, and full of cinnamon flavor — these easy candied pecans are perfect for snacking, salads, or gifts. Made with simple pantry ingredients and baked to golden perfection, they’re the kind of treat you’ll keep coming back to!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 230
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups pecan halves unsalted
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
Optional: small pinch of cayenne pepper for heat

Method
 

Step 1 – Preheat the oven
  1. Set your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2 – Prepare the coating
  1. In a large bowl, whisk the egg white and water until frothy and light. This helps the sugar stick to the pecans.
Step 3 – Mix the sugar and spices
  1. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to mix evenly.
Step 4 – Coat the pecans
  1. Add the pecan halves to the egg white mixture and stir until every piece is coated. Then add the sugar mixture and stir again until the pecans are evenly covered.
Step 5 – Bake until golden
  1. Spread the coated pecans on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 35–40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes so they bake evenly.
Step 6 – Cool and crisp
  1. Take the pecans out of the oven once they’re golden brown and smell amazing. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet — they’ll crisp up as they cool.

Notes

  • Make sure the pecans are in a single layer when baking — crowding the pan makes them sticky.
  • Stirring during baking keeps the coating even and prevents burning.
  • Store cooled pecans in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
  • These make perfect holiday gifts — just fill a jar, add a ribbon, and you’re done!