Home > Seasonal > Christmas > Cinnamon-Sugar Candied Pecans
Cinnamon-Sugar Candied Pecans
True story: I made a new recipe for a big batch of dinner rolls that I was super excited to share with you, except… I didn’t like them. Boo hiss. They tasted rather bland and I wasn’t a huge fan of the texture. I’m always bummed when something turns out less than spectacular, especially when it’s something like yeast bread, which takes some time and effort.
To make myself feel better, I made something that only took 5 minutes, was absolutely delicious and insanely addicting. These candied pecans are more than worthy of sharing, in fact, I urge you to make these immediately. Put them on the appetizer and desserts tables for Thanksgiving, throw them in your salad, put them in jars for Christmas gifts, eat them by the handful… just make sure you have a good hiding place for them, because once you start eating them, you won’t be able to stop!
How to Make Cinnamon-Sugar Candied Pecans:
While I’ve seen candied nut recipes that require actual candy-making, i.e. using a candy thermometer and being very precise, these cinnamon-sugar pecans couldn’t have been easier. Simply coat the nuts in a mixture of egg whites, water and vanilla extract, then toss them into a cinnamon-sugar mixture, spread them onto a baking sheet and let the oven do the work. Do your best to let them to cool to room temperature before eating, serving or storing, but if you can go that long without snagging a few off of the baking sheet, you have more willpower than I do!
It’s a wonderful thing when a failure opens the door to something sinfully delicious, isn’t it?!
One year ago: Pumpkin Roll and Cheesy Creamed Corn Casserole
Two years ago: (Make Ahead) Homemade Gravy and Sausage, Fig & Cranberry Stuffing
Three years ago: Pecan Pie
Four years ago: Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Crisp Squares
Did you make this recipe?
An incredibly easy recipe for candied pecans, perfect for holiday snacking or gift-giving!
- 1
cup
granulated sugar
- 2
teaspoons
ground cinnamon
- 1
teaspoon
salt
- 2
egg whites
- 2
tablespoons
water
- ½
teaspoon
vanilla extract
- 1
pound
pecan halves
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
In a large zip-top bag, combine the sugar, cinnamon and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites, water and vanilla extract. Add the pecans to the bowl and stir them into the egg white mixture with a rubber spatula, making sure they are all moistened. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pecans from the egg white mixture and drop them into the bag with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Once all of the pecans are added, seal the bag, and shake it to coat all of the pecans.
Using a clean slotted spoon, remove the pecans from the bag and place onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 1 hour, stirring them every 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature. The pecans can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Note: This recipe can be made with a variety of nuts, not just pecans. Feel free to change it up and use walnuts, almonds, pecans or a mix of your favorites.
Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 329kcal
Fat: 27g
Saturated fat: 2g
Sodium: 202mg
Potassium: 163mg
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 18g
Protein: 4g
Vitamin A: 0.4%
Vitamin C: 0.5%
Calcium: 3%
Iron: 5.5%
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I heard on the news that pecans are going to be sky high expensive this year, I guess it’s something about the weather and demand from China? If you give these away, you will certainly be giving not only a lovely hand-made gift, but no an inexpensive one either!
FYI: I bought 2 pounds of pecans at Sam’s, on sale for $10.98.
This is very like a recipe my cousin uses. I need to buy more pecans this week so I can make some. YUM!
These look stunning- pecans are my absolute favourite nut and they’re especially good at Christmas time!! They’re difficult to find in their shells here in the UK but the ready shelled ones are just as good I’m sure. Will definitely be giving them a go!
I love how simple this is!! I’m a huge fan of candied nuts. I go to Kris Kringle market thing-y every Christmas season and they have the most to-die-for candied nuts. These remind me of them!
Ooo! These would probably make great gifts. Candied nuts in a weck jar! Will definitely be trying this!
This is a perfect snack to bring to a Thanksgiving dinner. I love that I don’t have to use a candy thermometer for this recipe!
I hate when recipes don’t turn out well! But at least these delicious nuts were a product of the failure, because theses look amazing! Pinning this recipe now – what a perfect snack to have out around the holidays!
I made some amazing, addictive Cinnamon Sugar Candied Nuts from my blog as all of my wedding favors. They’ve been a favorite in my family ever since I made them last winter and passed them out as holiday gifts, so they went over really well at the wedding. Don’t you just love simple, no-fail recipes? I’m sorry your rolls didn’t work out! That fear of yeasted breads not turning out right is exactly what stops me from making them! You’re so brave!
I made this exact recipe last year and couldnt keep enough made. Everyone loves them. It is a labor of love when you pick-up, shell and then make them. I gave as gifts in decorated jars to my family. I had to hid me a bag in the freezer and yes they do freeze well.
I made a recipe very similar to this one and it was so much easier than having to deal with a candy thermometer! These are delicious AND addictive!
These turned out wonderful! I recommend that you mix all the nuts in the bag at one time, I tried to do two batches in the one bag and the second batch can out wet but still as good :) now I need to hide them for myself!!
Mmm pecans are such a fabulous snack, and these totally take them to the next level! Yum!
Thank you for this recipe. It looks delicious! Any suggestions on which egg white substitute would work best for this recipe? My family has egg allergies (I don’t so my house will be enjoying these as presented!) but love candied nuts. I was thinking these would be nice to put on the table for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Hi Sandy, For this particular recipe, I’m not sure what an appropriate substitution would be. There are some other candied nut recipes floating around that simply cook the nuts on the stovetop in a butter and spice mixture; you may want to try to find one of those!
I once made Paula Deen’s Cinnamon Toast Pecans (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/cinnamon-toast-pecans-recipe/index.html) which doesn’t use egg whites. They were good, but not as “candied” as I liked. The egg whites really help the spice mixture to stick and give the thicker coating.
I used flaxseed meal and it coated wonderfully! We have an egg allergy too! I use flaxseed meal for all my egg substitutes…other than breakfast eggs :)
for this recipe how much did you measure out by using flaxseed meal? I do not want to use egg or butter.
Thank you so much for this recipe. Pecans are the only nut that our whole family can eat, because of allergies to all the other types. I cannot wait to try these. I will need to check to see if pecans are in the stores at this point. I live in the north and the only time that I can find them at an almost decent price is around Christmas.
I live in Central NY state and most of the stores around here have their nuts out already. Or at least the 3 chains that I’ve been in over the last week have. I know I saw pecans, almonds, walnuts, and mixed nuts at the very least.
I just bought 2 lbs. of pecan halves and 3 lbs of almonds at Costco today. Planning to make them using this recipe and giving as Christmas gifts!
Totally addicting! I always got the cinnamon almonds and the Civic Arena during Pens games!
Snacktastic! Love these and great for so many things..
I made some candied mixed nuts a few months ago and seriously had to give them away because I would have eaten the whole batch myself. Like 3 lbs of nuts…LOL Yours look great and an egg white is key for coating-sticking power!
I love nuts like this! I have a recipe that has espresso powder in the coating – insanely good!
can you please share your recipe that has the espresso powder in it? I would love to try them! Thank you.
I love these types of recipes. I make a candied walnut that is even easier. Just butter, water and brown sugar heated in a sauce pan then mixed with the nuts. Let the nuts dry on a cookie sheet and enjoy.
Would you mind sharing your exact recipe?
Thanks so much!
Would you mind sharing your recipe for candied nuts? Thank you!
These look fabulous and I love how easy they are!