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How to Make Lightly Candied Pecans in 5 Minutes

February 2, 2021 by Mirlandra 23 Comments

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Lightly Candied Pecans with a kiss of brown sugar, salt and butter, perfect for snacking, gifting, or topping salads! (This is a egg FREE recipe!)

A trey of lightly candied pecans scattered on it. The pecans have just a touch of brown sugar and are lightly sweet and crunchy.

These easy candy pecans sweet with a subtle sugary crunch and very popular every time I serve them. I like to make a bowl to go with desserts like carrot cake and pie. This is a stovetop recipe which means no turning on the oven which makes it much faster.  I don’t use ANY egg or egg white in this recipe so it is perfect for people with egg allergies.

How to Make Lightly Candied Pecans In 5 Minutes  (EASY)

Lightly candied pecans take three ingredients and five minute recipe on the stove top!  It doesn’t get much easier than that!

  1. Melt the butter in a sauce pan and add the pecans.
  2. Add the sugar and salt – stir for 2 minutes.
  3. Spread the candied pecans on a baking sheet.  DONE

If you are looking for a slightly different flavor by all means dust a little cinnamon  or some pumpkin pie spice on the nuts while they are hot.

How to Store Candied Pecans

  • ROOM TEMPERATURE – Put them in an air tight container and store at room temperature for a week (unless it is very hot in your house – like worst of summer and no AC in which case use the fridge.)
  • REFRIGERATOR – Candied pecans don’t have to be stored in the refrigerator but if you do it will extend their shelf life to four weeks.
  • FREEZER – Candied pecans can be frozen for several months and eaten right out of the freezer or allowed to warm up to room temp before serving.

How to Use Candied Pecans

Candied nuts are great for so many different things.  And with a simple five minute recipe you will want to make them for all the occasions!

  • Candied pecans are a great topping on salad or  chicken salad 
  • In a bowl for an appetizer or snack
  • On a charcuterie or cheese board!
  • To roll your favorite cheese ball
  • On yogurt with fresh berries
  • On or IN ice cream!
  • Garnish for carrot cake or pumpkin pie
  • chop them up into your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe

Candied Pecans Make a Great Gift

These are also a great hostess gift if you are invited over for The Big Dinner and for the all important bonus………THREE INGREDIENTS AND FIVE MINUTES!

Try gifting them in mason jars or treat boxes.  And of course some Kraft Paper tags with Jute Twine are always casually elegant!

Why Are My Candied Pecans Sticky?

This recipe works really well for most people but occasionally there is an issue with the nuts coming out sticky.  This is usually caused by a lack of heat.  Lower quality stoves (and electric stoves in general) don’t provide the same heat responsiveness.  If you find yours come out sticky they just haven’t gotten to the hard crack stage and next time cook them a few minutes longer.  But be careful they don’t burn!

More Mostly Healthy Snack Recipes For Every Holiday

  • Brown Sugar Pecan Apple Dip
  • Triple Chocolate Filled Raspberries 
  • Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas
  • Watermelon Trees
  • Caramel Chex mix
  • 5 Minute Restaurant Salsa
  • Chocolate Cheesecake Deviled Strawberries
A trey of lightly candied pecans scattered on it. The pecans have just a touch of brown sugar and are lightly sweet and crunchy.
Print Pin
3.63 from 82 votes

Lightly Candied Pecans

Lightly candied pecans with a subtle sweet, crunchy crust. Ideal for snacking, salad topping or to serve alongside dessert. I love them with pumpkin pie and whipped cream! This is a five minute stove top recipe and it is egg free!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword stovetop candied pecans, egg free candied pecans, egg free candied pecans, easy homemade gifts
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 220kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
  • 1 Tablespoon salted butter
  • 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar (or dark brown sugar)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  • Line a sheet pan with wax or parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Measure sugar and set aside.
  • In a large sauce pan melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the pecans with a wooden spatula.
  • Add sugar and salt. Stir constantly for two minutes.
  • Spread candied nuts out on prepared sheet pan. Use the spatula to separate them so they are not touching.
  • When the nuts are completely cool store in a airtight container at room temperature for one week or in the refrigerator for up to four weeks.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Lightly Candied Pecans
Amount Per Serving
Calories 220 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 5mg2%
Sodium 212mg9%
Potassium 9mg0%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 58IU1%
Calcium 6mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I read each and every comment and I try to respond to questions asap, so ask away! If you’ve made a recipe, I would love to hear about it! Please come back and share your experience and give the recipe a 5-star rating so other people will know how much you loved it!

PIN FOR LATER

lightly candied pecans promo image

This recipe was originally shared in 2014.  It was updated in 2021.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carrie, Reading to Know

    November 24, 2014 at 11:04 am

    Hannah tipped me off to sugared nuts in a skillet. But butter! Oh, that can only make everything better.

    Reply
    • Mirlandra

      November 24, 2014 at 8:06 pm

      It really is lovely! I have always made brown sugar / sour cream nuts in the past and they are wonderful but heavier. These are so light and savory they compliment other desserts or appetizers very well! I also think they are a very easy way to start to learn about how sugar caramelizes in candy making. I think your oldest kiddo could do these himself with a little supervision.

      Reply
  2. The Better Baker

    December 11, 2015 at 6:42 am

    Yes oh yes! I have been eyeballling the bag of pecan halves in my freezer, wondering what I should do with them before leaving for FL…they need to be eaten, and this is how we will be enjoying them. =D LOVE that it’s lightened…yum. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Weekend Potluck. Keep ’em comin’! And enjoy a delightful weekend.

    Reply
    • Mirlandra

      December 17, 2015 at 1:45 pm

      Oh yum! Nothing quite like “having” to use up a good bag of nuts. Hope you have had a great week!

      Reply
  3. The Better Baker

    December 18, 2015 at 7:24 am

    Congrats on receiving MOST CLICKS at last week’s Weekend Potluck party with this winner of a recipe. I can’t wait to make it – today’s the day! Enjoy a wonderful Christmas week ahead. We’ll see you back at our party in the new year! Thanks so much for your faithfulness to share with us.

    Reply
    • Mirlandra

      December 18, 2015 at 12:54 pm

      Thank you! I am so happy everybody liked it so well. I might be a bit spotty in January with baby coming that month but I will come visit as much as I can!

      Reply
      • The Better Baker

        December 18, 2015 at 1:11 pm

        Great day! Didn’t know you were due in January…a bit hit and miss will certainly be understandable as you’ll have your hands full. Take it easy – hugs! XO

        Reply
  4. The Better Baker

    December 18, 2015 at 9:46 am

    Thanks for all your comments at my blog. I messed up this morning and had W.P. scheduled to be published in the PM…DUH! Don’t know why I can never seem to reply to your comments, so wanted to thank you again for sharing your special pecan recipe. I made them this morning and LOVE the light sweetness. May you and yours enjoy a beautiful Christmas week. Til next time…XO

    Reply
    • Mirlandra

      December 18, 2015 at 12:55 pm

      I have totally done that before! Glad you are still hosting 🙂

      Reply
  5. kentuckylady717

    December 19, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    Thanks for posting this recipe….been wanting to make these…..and am going to make them tonite…..

    And will make the sugar cookies later…..

    Reply
    • Mirlandra

      December 20, 2015 at 9:56 am

      Thanks! I hope they are both fun cooking projects for you 🙂

      Reply
  6. Lori

    November 04, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    Just saw this on Pinterest! Oh my, I might even sprinkle lightly with cayenne pepper for a surprise kick.

    Reply
    • Mirlandra

      November 05, 2016 at 6:54 am

      Yum!

      Reply
  7. Mollie Bean

    November 04, 2016 at 6:23 pm

    yummy! just yummy!! made these tonight for a salad. perfect!

    Reply
    • Mirlandra

      November 05, 2016 at 6:54 am

      I am so glad you liked them!

      Reply
  8. Sarah Albert

    May 11, 2017 at 8:59 am

    DO YOU HAVE A RECIPE FOR SALTED CHILI FLAVORED PECANS ? THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECIPES .

    Reply
    • Mirlandra

      May 15, 2017 at 8:55 am

      I don’t right now but it sounds completely wonderful. Now I am most curious to have some!

      Reply
  9. Christine

    December 12, 2018 at 9:28 pm

    do you bake this?

    Reply
    • Mirlandra

      December 13, 2018 at 12:34 pm

      Nope! Quick and easy on the stove top with no baking required. Makes life simple!

      Reply

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Welcome!  I’m Mirlandra

I provide real dinner solutions so busy women can kick kitchen overwhelm to the curb and learn to make simple, healthy dinners to fit any schedule and family.

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