How to Make Lightly Candied Pecans in 5 Minutes

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!)

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

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3.64 from 71 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.

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