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This Candied Pecans stovetop recipe comes together in just 5 minutes. The candied pecans are great for salads, snacking, and for garnishing Fall cakes!
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Candied Pecans Recipe
My favorite 2 favorite ways to eat these pecans:
- On top of a delicious salad.
- On top of my favorite pumpkin cake!
I like making quadruple batches of this recipe so that I always have them on hand. My kids love snacking on these pecans, sprinkling some on top of pumpkin pancakes, and adding them to vanilla ice cream with some salted caramel, SO GOOD!
Candied Pecans Variations:
- Vanilla – add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla and a pinch of salt to the skillet right before the pecans are added.
- Cinnamon – add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the skillet at the same time as the butter and sugar.
- Spiced – depending on the spice level you’re going for, you can add 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder and a pinch of salt to the skillet at the same time as the butter and sugar.
- Rum – add 1/2 teaspoon of rum extract and a pinch of salt to the skillet right before the pecans are added.
- Bacon – add 3 strips of cooked and crumbled bacon to the skillet right before the pecans are added.
Common Candied Pecan Questions:
How long do candied pecans last?
Since candied pecans have been subjected to heat they will have a shorter shelf life than in-shell pecans. Here’s the shelf life of candied pecans kept in various locations:
- Room temperature in an air-tight container: 3 weeks
- In the refrigerator in an airtight container: about 3 months
- In the freezer in an air-tight container: about 1 year.
NOTE: You can freeze and thaw pecans over and over, but you MUST thaw them in the refrigerator. This tempers them correctly so they will keep for longer and not become stale or break down. Also, remember to always keep pecans in an airtight container because they are prone to absorbing orders from other foods. This is due to their high-fat content.
Are candied pecans healthy?
Yes and no. While pecans are a great source of heart-healthy fats and other nutrients like phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and Vitamin E, the sugar and butter in them are not. These candied pecans are fine in small doses like on a salad.
Can I freeze candied pecans?
Yes! To keep the pecans from getting freezer burn I like to place them in a ziplock bag and then I place the ziplock bag inside of a Tupperware container.
Cook’s Note – Candied Pecans Recipe:
This recipe doubles, triples, and even quadruples nicely. Just note that as you increase the quantities in the recipe, your skillet also needs to increase in size!
Cook’s Tools – Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe:
ONE YEAR AGO: Pumpkin Honey Muffins
TWO YEARS AGO: Candy Corn Cookies
THREE YEARS AGO: Candy Corn Cookies
How to Make Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup raw pecans
Instructions
- Set a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and sugar, and stir frequently until the butter is melted, the sugar has dissolved, and the mixture is bubbling about 1-2 minutes. Add in the pecans and stir constantly for 3 minutes so they are evenly coated with the butter and sugar mixture.
- Transfer the pecans to waxed paper and use 2 forks to separate the pecans. Cool for about 10 minutes, and then break them apart.
Wilhelmina Wessel says
I love all of these variations!
Jillian says
Thank you!
ROBIN GAGNON says
I love simple sweets like this. These are great for topping other dishes too
Jillian says
Yes, perfect for topping loads of Fall desserts!
Natalie says
I love candied pecans! It’s such a great treat for the holiday season! Looks so delicious!
Jillian says
Thank you!
Marie says
Wow! I love all the flavor variations. Candied pecans are so delicious. It’s awesome that it only takes 10 minutes to make too!
Jillian says
Yes, such a quick and easy recipe!
Veena Azmanov says
Candied Pecans sound interesting for garnishing over cakes and smoothies and icecreams.. My kids too would love to snack on them. Need to try them soon . They look so tempting.
Jillian says
They’re definitely a delicious snack and topping for desserts!
Amy Treasure says
You’re so imaginative I can’t believe there are so many variations. Amazing!
Jillian says
You’re so sweet, thank you!
Michelle says
These are such a great snack and I love all the different variations. Perfect treats for the holidays!
Jillian says
Thank you!
Dayna says
YUM! My FAVE!