Introduction
Crunchy, sweet, and packed with caramelized flavor—candied pecans are the kind of treat that disappears faster than you can make them. Whether you sprinkle them on salads, top your desserts, or just snack on them by the handful, these recipes turn ordinary pecans into irresistible bites. Here are 22 easy and totally addictive ways to candy pecans for every craving, season, and occasion.
1. Classic Cinnamon Sugar Candied Pecans
The classic version—simple, sweet, and perfectly spiced.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- 1 egg white
- 1 tbsp water
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Whisk egg white and water until frothy.
- Toss in pecans, then coat with sugar and cinnamon.
- Spread on parchment and bake for 40 minutes, stirring halfway.
How to Serve It
Cool completely and store in an airtight jar for up to two weeks.
2. Brown Sugar Butter Candied Pecans
Buttery richness and brown sugar sweetness in every crunchy bite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add sugar and stir until melted.
- Toss in pecans and cook for 5–6 minutes.
- Spread on parchment to cool.
How to Serve It
Sprinkle over pancakes or ice cream.
3. Maple Candied Pecans
Pure maple syrup adds deep, natural sweetness.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp butter
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Heat syrup and butter in a skillet.
- Add pecans and stir until coated and glossy.
- Cook 5–7 minutes, then spread to cool.
How to Serve It
Use as a topping for oatmeal or pumpkin pie.
4. Vanilla Candied Pecans
Sweet with a hint of smooth vanilla flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dissolve sugar in water over medium heat.
- Stir in pecans and cook until caramelized.
- Add vanilla at the end and cool.
How to Serve It
Add to yogurt parfaits or banana splits.
5. Spicy Candied Pecans
Sweet with a fiery kick—perfect party snack!
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp cayenne
- ¼ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Melt butter and sugar in a pan.
- Stir in spices and pecans.
- Cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
How to Serve It
Great on cheese boards or spicy salads.
6. Honey Candied Pecans
Naturally sweet and perfectly sticky.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp butter
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Heat honey and butter until smooth.
- Add pecans and coat evenly.
- Spread on parchment and bake 20 minutes at 325°F.
How to Serve It
Add to baked brie or roasted vegetables.
7. Caramelized Candied Pecans
Deep caramel flavor with crunchy perfection.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Combine sugar and water; heat until golden caramel.
- Quickly stir in pecans.
- Spread to cool before breaking apart.
How to Serve It
Break into clusters for dessert topping.
8. Pumpkin Spice Candied Pecans
Fall flavors in every crunchy handful.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- 1 egg white
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
Instructions
- Whisk egg white; toss with sugar and spice.
- Bake at 300°F for 40 minutes.
How to Serve It
Use as a topping for pumpkin cheesecake.
9. Bourbon Candied Pecans
Rich, boozy flavor that’s irresistible.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp bourbon
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Melt butter, sugar, and bourbon in a pan.
- Add pecans and coat well.
- Cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Perfect with vanilla ice cream or chocolate pie.
10. Sea Salt Candied Pecans
A sweet and salty treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp water
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Caramelize sugar with water.
- Stir in pecans until coated.
- Sprinkle sea salt while cooling.
How to Serve It
Pair with dark chocolate desserts.
11. Cocoa Candied Pecans
Chocolate meets crunch in this addictive recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Heat butter and sugar.
- Stir in cocoa and pecans.
- Spread and cool.
How to Serve It
Enjoy with hot cocoa or ice cream sundaes.
12. Maple Cinnamon Candied Pecans
Sweet maple flavor with warm spice.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine syrup and pecans in skillet.
- Cook until thick and sticky.
- Spread and cool.
How to Serve It
Perfect for topping pancakes or waffles.
13. Espresso Candied Pecans
Coffee lovers will adore this bold twist.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp espresso powder
Instructions
- Dissolve espresso in a bit of water.
- Mix with sugar and pecans, cook until glossy.
- Cool completely.
How to Serve It
Add to chocolate desserts or brownies.
14. Rosemary Candied Pecans
Herbal, aromatic, and slightly savory-sweet.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp chopped rosemary
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Heat butter and sugar until melted.
- Stir in rosemary and pecans.
- Cook 5 minutes, spread to cool.
How to Serve It
Great for salads or charcuterie boards.
15. Orange Zest Candied Pecans
Bright citrus lifts the caramel flavor beautifully.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Melt sugar and butter.
- Add zest and pecans, stir until coated.
How to Serve It
Perfect for topping citrus cakes.
16. Coconut Candied Pecans
Sweet and tropical twist on a classic snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Cook sugar until golden.
- Add pecans and coconut, stir.
- Spread and cool.
How to Serve It
Delicious with tropical fruit salads.
17. Salted Caramel Candied Pecans
A crunchy mix of sweet and salty perfection.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Melt sugar and butter.
- Add pecans, stir until coated.
- Sprinkle salt while cooling.
How to Serve It
Top on cheesecake or brownies.
18. Cocoa Cinnamon Candied Pecans
Warm spice and chocolate flavor blend beautifully.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Cook sugar to melt.
- Add cocoa, cinnamon, and pecans.
- Stir and cool.
How to Serve It
Enjoy with coffee or cocoa.
19. Coconut Sugar Candied Pecans
Naturally sweet and full of toffee flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Dissolve sugar in water.
- Stir in pecans until coated.
- Cool completely.
How to Serve It
Great for clean-eating snacks.
20. Cardamom Candied Pecans
A fragrant twist on traditional candied nuts.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ tsp cardamom
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Melt sugar and butter.
- Add cardamom and pecans.
- Cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Add to spiced ice cream or yogurt bowls.
21. Browned Butter Candied Pecans
Rich nutty flavor that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ¼ cup browned butter
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
- Melt sugar and browned butter.
- Stir in pecans and coat well.
- Spread to cool.
How to Serve It
Use as topping for cookies or pancakes.
22. Mocha Candied Pecans
Coffee and cocoa come together for a grown-up treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp espresso powder
- 1 tbsp cocoa
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a skillet.
- Cook until sugar melts and coats the nuts evenly.
- Cool and store.
How to Serve It
Pair with chocolate desserts or serve with espresso.
Conclusion
Sweet, crunchy, and full of flavor, these 22 candied pecan recipes make the perfect snack, gift, or dessert topping. From classic cinnamon sugar to maple bourbon and espresso twists, there’s a version here for every taste. Make a batch (or three), fill your home with that caramel aroma, and enjoy the irresistible crunch of homemade candied pecans anytime.
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