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!
- Melt the butter in a sauce pan and add the pecans.
- Add the sugar and salt – stir for 2 minutes.
- 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 saladÂ
- 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 RaspberriesÂ
- Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas
- Watermelon Trees
- Caramel Chex mix
- 5 Minute Restaurant Salsa
- Chocolate Cheesecake Deviled Strawberries
Lightly Candied Pecans
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.
Your Rating Matters
When you leave a comment or star rating, it means more than you might think. It helps me understand what you’re enjoying, builds trust for other readers, and supports real, tested cooking content. If you have a moment, I’d truly appreciate you sharing your experience. - Mirlandra
Nutrition Estimate
A Note on Nutrition
Nutritional info is an imperfect estimate. Please take it with a grain of salt.
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!
This recipe was originally shared in 2014. It was updated in 2021.
Carrie, Reading to Know says
Hannah tipped me off to sugared nuts in a skillet. But butter! Oh, that can only make everything better.
Mirlandra says
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.
The Better Baker says
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.
Mirlandra says
Oh yum! Nothing quite like “having” to use up a good bag of nuts. Hope you have had a great week!
The Better Baker says
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.
Mirlandra says
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!
The Better Baker says
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
The Better Baker says
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
Mirlandra says
I have totally done that before! Glad you are still hosting 🙂
kentuckylady717 says
Thanks for posting this recipe….been wanting to make these…..and am going to make them tonite…..
And will make the sugar cookies later…..
Mirlandra says
Thanks! I hope they are both fun cooking projects for you 🙂
Lori says
Just saw this on Pinterest! Oh my, I might even sprinkle lightly with cayenne pepper for a surprise kick.
Mirlandra says
Yum!
Mollie Bean says
yummy! just yummy!! made these tonight for a salad. perfect!
Mirlandra says
I am so glad you liked them!
Sarah Albert says
DO YOU HAVE A RECIPE FOR SALTED CHILI FLAVORED PECANS ? THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECIPES .
Mirlandra says
I don’t right now but it sounds completely wonderful. Now I am most curious to have some!
Christine says
do you bake this?
Mirlandra says
Nope! Quick and easy on the stove top with no baking required. Makes life simple!
Judy says
Going to make these soon. The Nutrition Facts numbers are wildly off, though, and they don’t indicate what the serving size is.
Mirlandra says
Hi Judy,
This is a software program that has limits. I’m not a nutritionist and you should take this as such. I’m sorry I can’t provide better information here but without a nutrition degree and the training I can’t do more than this.
Mirim says
This is so quick and easy, and yet elegant enough to serve at a holiday party. It’s an all ’round win!
Sandy says
First timer making anything like this and since I now live in SC, I thought I better start trying this popular food gift. These are absolutely delicious! Perfect ratio of sweet and salty and buttery. I am planning to serve with my charcuterie tray and of
Course rave that I made the candied pecans! Very easy and you would think it was more work than it was.
Mirlandra Neuneker says
Thank you, Sandy! I think that my favorite thing about this recipe is that it is so much easier than you think it should be. I love to toss them on a charcuterie tray for sure. Glad you enjoyed them so much!