Easy Caramelized Pecans Recipe – Sweet & Crunchy Perfection
This caramelized pecans recipe is the perfect combination of sweet, crunchy, and nutty goodness.
Whether you use them to top salads, elevate desserts, or enjoy them as a snack, these candied pecans are a crowd-pleaser.
Best of all, they’re incredibly easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can whip up a batch that’s perfect for gifting or keeping all to yourself.
Love snacking ideas? Be sure to check out our collection of great snack recipes that are perfect for any occasion. Once you try these caramelized pecans, they’ll become your go-to treat for every season!
Follow along as we show you how to caramelize pecans step-by-step, with tips and tricks for the perfect result every time.
How to Caramelize Pecans
Gather all your ingredients and a baking pan. You’ll need a spatula or wooden spoon to stir the pecans as they caramelize.
Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
Use fresh pecans for a better the flavor and crunch.
Gently fold the pecans into the egg whites, ensuring every nut is well-coated.
Make the cinnamon sugar coating and sprinkle this mixture over the pecans and stir until evenly coated.
For a spicy kick, mix in a teaspoon of cayenne pepper with the cinnamon sugar
Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. This slow-baking process allows the coating to caramelize gently without becoming overly sticky.
Once baked, let the delicious pecans cool on the baking sheet. The sugar coating will harden as they cool, creating a crunchy, irresistible treat.
What can I use caramelized pecans for?
This great recipe is perfect for adding flavor and texture to almost any dish.
For a sweet treat, sprinkle them on desserts like cakes, brownies, and ice cream.
They’re delicious on cupcakes like our pumpkin pecan cupcakes.
Use them to elevate your breakfast favorites such as pancakes, waffles, or yogurt parfaits. They also make a tasty standalone snack or a crunchy addition to homemade trail mix.
For a sweet crunch to savory dishes, use them as a salad topper or as a topper for roasted sweet potatoes. Pair them with cheeses and cured meats on a charcuterie board for a gourmet touch.
Package them in decorative jars or festive bags for a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift throughout the holiday season.
Once cooled, store them in an airtight container such as a mason jar or sealed plastic bag.
When properly stored, can last up to two weeks at room temperature.
Absolutely! This recipe works with almonds, walnuts, or even cashews.
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Caramelized Pecans recipe
Sweet, crunchy, and so simple to make! These caramelized pecans are your new go-to treat for every occasion
Ingredients
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla paste
- 3 cups pecans
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 300F
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Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. If using parchment paper, you may want to apply a light spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
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With an electric mixer, beat the egg white and cream of tartar until light and frothy, about 4 minutes.
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Beat in the vanilla until just combined.
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Fold the pecans into the egg white mixture, coating completely.
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In a small separate bowl, combine the sugars and salt.
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Stir the sugar mixture into the pecan mixture until completely combined.
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Fold the coated pecans onto your prepared baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
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Bake until the pecan coating is as crunchy as you desire – they will be a bit sticky, but the stickiness will go away as they cool at room temperature.
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Allow your Caramelized Pecans to cool on the baking sheet fully before breaking up and storing or serving.
Recipe Notes
Store your caramelized pecans in an airtight container ( such as a mason jar or a covered container). Keep them at room temperature and they are best within a week, but will keep up to three months if stored properly.
My favorite! I add them to salads!
Those pecans look so good! These are the kind of thing that is so perfect for the holidays. Just set ’em out on the table and watch everybody scarf.
I am so doing this for Christmas! I can imagine these in a nice glass bowl on a beautiful table runner when everyone steps into the house. Love it!
i can eat these all day! I love caramelized pecans as a treat or on cheesecake or even a salad. So delicious!
YUM!!!! I bet these smelled heavenly when you made them. I need to make some for Thanksgiving!
I love pecans anyway you can give them to me! I have never actually thought about doing a caramelize pecan! This looks tasty and perfect for Thanksgiving.
We use Finish brand products and they totally make a difference. I am excited that I can get a discount on products I already use and get money toward a movie night too!
@Jen Temcio, what are they talking about when they say finish brands
This is an older post that had been originally sponsored by Finish detergent.
My mom would love these. I used to make something similar for my grandmom but it was a mixed nut recipe and it was a bit different. I have to try this for the holidays.
I love caramelized pecans. I usually buy them but making my own would be better.
These look very good! I bet they are amazing on salads too!
I am sure these Caramelized Pecans are going to be a big hit in my house. I will have to pick up the ingredients I need to make some this weekend.
I think I’ve only ever had pecans in a pie. I really want to try these – any chance of sending some over?!
Well, you had this Southern girl at pecan. This is something my grandmother used to make but I have never tried to do it myself. I might get my brave on and go for it this holiday. YUM! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
🙂
Traci
Gosh, I love pecans and these would be such an irresistible treat for me. I could use them in some other desserts too.
Pecans are a perfect treat. Love this idea.
This would be such a better snack for me than the candy stash! I love how sparkling clean Finish gets my dishes.
Those pecans look delicious. Can’t wait to give them a try.
I’m not a big pecan fan but my husband is and I just know he’d love this. I wonder how these would be over a pecan pie?
I am TOTALLY making these for Christmas. I love pecans…..thanks!
These look so delicious!
Oh yum yum yum! Perfect for so many uses!
I’ve never made anything like it, sounds like it would be great as is and as a topper on any dessert too!
Would love to try your recipe. We love pecans but never had it with carmel glazed over it sounds delicious.
I feel like caramelizing anything always leaves a sticky mess! These pecans look worth it though, and we’ve always found that good dish soap helps clean up our pots and pans after we’re done baking for sure
Pecans are my favorite nut and these caramelized pecans look amazing! I love eating them in a salad with chicken, strawberries, pineapple and kiwi in the summer.
This looks absolutely delicious! I love pecans so I will have to try that out. Finish is also wonderful and I use it in my house every time I use my dish washer.
I literally just polished off a mason jar full of these tasty beauties! I made some a few weeks back and they are the best snack.
I bet this also makes your house smell so good. Do you put them in other recipes or just eat them solo?
I like to put them on top of waffles with maple syrup or crushed on top of sweet potatoes!
I love eating pecans and these look absolutely amazing and delicious! I will have to make these for the holidays!
Love this recipe! You can have it on it’s own or you can use it as a topping for vanilla ice cream. It’s simple and easy to make!
This is the perfect snack for the season. I think it looks amazing plus I love easy to make recipes like this. I haven’t tried Finish products before. Sounds amazing!
I can almost smell these through my screen! What a perfect holiday munchie to keep all your guests happy!
I love caramelized pecans but I have never made it myself. Definitely would give it a try. Doesn’t seem to hard, though I’d worried about burning them!
Thanks SO much for sharing this recipe! We LOVE these on salads, so now I can make my own – yaaaay!
These look so good! I havent ever really done anything with pecans before but I am a huge fan of them. These would be delicious to make especially around the holidays!
I don’t think I have ever tried pecans, but these look delicious and I will have to give them a go!
These look so good! Bonus is I have all the ingredients in my house right now. Can’t wait to try these!
I love candied pecans but have never thought about making something like them myself. I think I’m going to give this one a try. It is perfect for the holiday season!
These look wonderful for the holidays! Pecans remind me of my grandmother because she would always go to pick them and send home a large package of freshly picked pecans for baking.
I switched to FInish products after my appliance guy recommended it. He was spot on too because my dishes come out so much more clean. It’s amazing the difference some products can make, especially when you do a lot of cooking and baking.