Homemade Candied Pecans are crunchy and with an irresistible cinnamon coating. These come together in about 5 minutes and the oven does the rest. Watch the video tutorial and see how easy it is to make your own praline pecans.

We love Candied nuts from our easy stovetop Candied Walnuts to Honey Roasted Almonds. If you love homemade treats (that are also perfect for gifting) this Candied Pecans recipe is a must-try!

Candied Pecans in red bowl

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Candied Pecans Video Tutorial

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What are Praline Pecans?

I always called these candied pecans until I saw the storebought version labeled praline pecans. Praline refers to a crisp caramelized sugar candy. So Praline pecans are essentially candy-coated pecans. You’ll love the texture – it’s easy to chew and has just the right amount of crunch and munch that you’ll find it difficult to stop eating them. The combination of caramelized sugar with toasted nutty pecans is so good.

Candied praline pecans up close showing crunchy texture

Ingredients for Candied Pecans

The ingredients for making praline pecans are simple and sweet. If you purchased the pecans, you probably already have everything else in your fridge and pantry.

  • Sugar – caramelizes onto the nuts and adds sweetness
  • Cinnamon – adds just the right amount of cozy spice and flavor
  • Salt – balances the sweetness
  • Egg white – combined with a little water, to adds moisture to help the cinnamon sugar adhere to the nuts.
  • Vanilla extract – adds great taste and aroma to the nuts. We love using homemade vanilla extract.
Ingredients for making candied pecans

How to Make Candied Pecans

  1. Combine cinnamon, sugar and salt in a small bowl.
  2. Whisk egg white, water and vanilla in a second large mixing bowl.
  3. Toss pecans with the egg white.
  4. Add cinnamon sugar to pecans and stir to coat.
  5. Spread pecans onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake at 250˚F in the center of the oven, stirring every 20 minutes.
Step by step photos for how to make candied pecans

Why is the Oven-Baked Method Best?

I’ve tried every version of these I could think of from the stovetop to the oven and even boiled them in syrup. I discovered this method from a youtube video by Alex of Sawyer Ridge Farm and it is hands down, the best way to make candied pecans.

Tossing them in an egg white and cinnamon-sugar mixture and baking at a low temperature for an hour caramelizes the sugar and makes them crisp but easy to chew. The texture is perfect and I love that they don’t get stuck to your teeth.

Baked Candied pecans on baking sheet

Pro Tip: lining your baking sheet with parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze and keeps the nuts from sticking to your baking sheet.

Common Questions

Can I use walnuts?

You can substitute with walnut halves instead. Just be sure to remove all shell fragments.

Can I make candied pecans on the stove?

These are best in the oven. Stovetop pecans would be a very different recipe. For a stovetop version, check out our 5-minute Candied Walnuts recipe.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! You can easily double or even triple the recipe if you have enough room in your oven. Make sure to rotate your trays every 20 minutes when you stir the nuts.

Make-Ahead

Once they have cooled down, transfer candied pecans to an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to a week. I haven’t tested them beyond that.

Blue bowl filled with praline pecans

These Candied Pecans are a real treat. My best advice is to portion it for yourself when you’re munching rather than opening an entire jar and working it down. I know firsthand how dangerous that can be. Ha!

How to Serve Candied Pecans

Candied pecans are great for munching and snacking, but we also love to put them to good use. Try these ideas:

  • Gifting – put the nuts in a mason jar, or a clear gift bag, tie a ribbon on top and give the nuts away to your friends and neighbors.
  • Salad topping – these are delicious on Beet Salad with Arugula, or Roasted Sweet Potato Salad.
  • Dessert topping – these are lovely for decorating desserts or ice cream.
  • Charcuterie board – adding these to a snack platter is always a good idea. They will disappear fast.

Candied Pecans Recipe (How to Make Praline Pecans)

4.99 from 147 votes
Candied Pecans in red bowl
Candied pecans are easy to make and great for munching, gifting, and topping. We love them on everything from salad to ice cream. The cinnamon-sugar mixture caramelizes onto the nuts, giving them an irresistible and delicate crunch.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 16 people (makes 5 cups)

Instructions

  • Prep: Preheat the oven to 250˚F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a small bowl, stir together sugar, cinnamon and salt.
  • In a second large mixing bowl, whisk egg white, water, and vanilla until frothy.
  • Add pecans to egg white mixture and stir to coat.
  • Add cinnamon and sugar mixture to the coated pecans and mix to combine.
  • Spread nuts into a single layer on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. Let cool to room temperature and enjoy.

Nutrition Per Serving

247kcal Calories17g Carbs3g Protein20g Fat2g Saturated Fat6g Polyunsaturated Fat12g Monounsaturated Fat76mg Sodium121mg Potassium3g Fiber14g Sugar17IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C23mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Candied Pecans Recipe (How to Make Praline Pecans)
Amount per Serving
Calories
247
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
20
g
31
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
12
g
Sodium
 
76
mg
3
%
Potassium
 
121
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
17
g
6
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
14
g
16
%
Protein
 
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
 
17
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
23
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert, snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: candied pecans, praline pecans
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 247
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

More Homemade Sweet Treats

4.99 from 147 votes (99 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Linda
    December 22, 2021

    This is an awesome recipe. Thank you, Natasha for sharing. I am getting ready to make my second batch. What I really like about them is that they don’t get hard and they are really good.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 23, 2021

      YES! They are so pleasant to chew and munch on. I just made a double batch for my neighbors. I’m so happy you enjoyed the candied pecans.

      Reply

  • Peggy Smith
    December 22, 2021

    These are amazing and so addictive! I made a double batch so I could give some as gifts and keep some for holiday snacks. Pecans are super expensive right now but I don’t regret it at all.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 22, 2021

      The perfect Christmas gifts! I’m so glad you enjoyed these, Peggy!

      Reply

  • Jessalynn Sadler
    December 16, 2021

    I am betting these haven’t been eaten past a week because they don’t last that long. TRY THESE!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 16, 2021

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!

      Reply

  • Kelly
    December 16, 2021

    My goodness… I just made these and they really are as delicious as the reviews indicated. I made cute little bags as small Christmas gifts for friends. I hope I have enough due to eating as I pack… can’t help myself. I’m definitely going to make more over the holidays. Great recipe Natasha! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 16, 2021

      That’s a perfect gift, Kelly! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Marcia
    December 16, 2021

    I made the candied pecans using maple sugar instead of cane sugar (used 1/4 cup less of the maple sugar). They were wonderful!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 16, 2021

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Marcia!

      Reply

  • Pat Sutton
    December 15, 2021

    Hi Natasha Love your recipes! I make these and added a little nutmeg too! Yummy Bet you can’t eat just one!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 15, 2021

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Stephen Bobula
    December 14, 2021

    These were very easy to make and even easier to eat, LOL.
    Question, do you have a recipe for Butter Pecan tarts?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 14, 2021

      Hi Stephen, good to know that you enjoyed this recipe. I do not have a recipe for Butter Pecan tarts but here are some Tart Recipes that you can try.

      Reply

  • Marie
    December 13, 2021

    Can this recipe be cut in half?
    If it won’t store we more then a week I’d like to split it.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 14, 2021

      Hi Marie, I imagine that will work. You can click the number of servings in the recipe to adjust the ingredients too.

      Reply

  • Wayne Decker
    December 12, 2021

    Do you think this recipe would work with exchanging the sugar for splenda?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 12, 2021

      Hi Wayne, I haven’t tried that yet to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.

      Reply

  • Marsha E Grotte
    December 12, 2021

    My husband loves these!
    I made these a couple of weeks before Christmas. Do you think I could freeze these until I am ready to give out as gifts?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 12, 2021

      Hello Marsha, I haven’t tried freezing this to advise. if you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.

      Reply

  • Kristyn
    December 11, 2021

    We are snacking on these all December long!! They are easy to make & taste amazing!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 11, 2021

      The perfect treat for a chilly December day!

      Reply

  • Wilma Lesaca
    December 11, 2021

    Each of your recipe I tried are so easy to make and delicious! Can I add Cayenne pepper to make this one a bit spicy? Thank you very much.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 11, 2021

      Hi Wilma, I haven’t tried that so I can’t say for sure. If you experiment, please let me know how it goes. One of my readers made this suggestion: “Add the same amount of ground clove as the cinnamon you get Perfection!!”

      Reply

    • Jim B
      December 12, 2021

      I have a recipe for candied spiced nuts somewhere, that has cayenne pepper in it for a heat kick. I can’t take the heat, so I don’t use it, and can’t locate it, but it does exist.

      Reply

  • Debi Kelley
    December 11, 2021

    Please tell me where you got that large bowl that you always use. It’s clear glass with a bit of a rim around it. It’s very big and I really love it… thank you so much….. and thank you for all your awesome recipes… I make a lot of them…

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 13, 2021

      Hello Debi, you may check the tools that I always use in our Amazon Shop. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • Jim B
    December 11, 2021

    I’ve been making this recipe for years. If ever there was and addictive snack, this is it! You can’t have just one…

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 11, 2021

      That is a true statement right there! They are pretty irresistible!

      Reply

  • Sharon A Finch
    December 11, 2021

    Can you use almonds? I searched for a candied almond recipe and didn’t find one

    Reply

  • Peggy
    December 11, 2021

    I follow your site and have used many of your recipes (Spatchcock Chicken is my fave). I also enjoy your videos. But I have to disagree with you on your Candied Pecans recipe. You can’t call them Praline Pecans because:
    I’m from South Louisiana and have made Pecan Pralines and Praline Sauce. All of the recipes I have seen and used do not use cinnamon in them. Yes, Candied Pecans and I will try this recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 11, 2021

      HI Peggy, you could leave out the cinnamon but it is a nice addition here. I’m so glad you enjoy our recipes.

      Reply

  • Audrey Weissberg
    December 11, 2021

    I love every recipe you post… would this recipe be good with peanuts also?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 11, 2021

      Hi Audrey, I haven’t tried this specific recipe with peanuts, but we LOVE it with pecans! I hope you give it a try soon!

      Reply

    • Margie
      December 20, 2021

      I’m going to try this with peanuts also as I can’t afford pecans.

      Reply

  • Betsy
    December 10, 2021

    I love how incredibly versatile these nuts are! They’re so good by themselves, but on ice cream, in cookies, in salad… so good!! Love this for gifting ideas, too! Great recipe! <3

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 11, 2021

      It’s great for gift giving! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Betsy!

      Reply

  • Rita
    December 10, 2021

    Look delish but I am trying to cut out sugar so would Iike to use monk fruit/erythritol blend. Have you tried other sweeteners?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 11, 2021

      Hi Rita, I haven’t tried monk fruit, erythritol blend, or other substitutions to advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.

      Reply

    • Janey
      December 11, 2021

      I made these for our office Christmas treat exchange! So amazing and delicious! Can’t lie I’m thinking of adding a dash of cayenne pepper powder next time, lol! These were a hit and sooo easy! Thank you!

      Reply

  • Toni
    December 10, 2021

    This is really addicitive! My kids couldn’t get enough of it!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 10, 2021

      You were quick to try these! I’m so happy to hear that you all loved the candied pecans.

      Reply

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