Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Dec 17, 2017, Updated Dec 22, 2023

4.97 from 66 votes

114 Comments

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This homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe is easy to make with only 6 ingredients & is so much more delicious than the nuts from the mall or fair! Make a batch of candied pecans and use them a salad topper, enjoy as a sweet snack, or give away as holiday gifts.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (2)

You know when you’re walking through the mall and you smell something amazing? You look around and realize that the heavenly aroma is coming from a glazed nut stand. So, you casually walk by because youknow there will be a free sample…

Well, these Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans are better than those nuts you find at the mall or fair! They are so easy to make and have very few ingredients! The only wet ingredients for anentire batch is 1 egg white and 1 tablespoon of vanilla! No butter! No oil! But definitely no sacrificing on taste.

This recipe has been a staple in my life for almost 20 years now.I always have these on hand. They’re freezer friendly, so you can make a batch, eat some warm from the oven, and freeze the rest to toss on salads or enjoy as a sweet snack.

They also make great gifts for friends and neighbors for the holidays (along with Christmas Cookies). Wrap them in a cute cellophane bag or mason jar and give your loved ones an extra special treat.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (3)

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans: Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Pecans.Use raw, unsalted pecans halves in this candied pecan recipe. I don’t recommend any substitutions. Check out my candied almonds or candied walnuts if you’d prefer to use different nuts.
  • Granulated Sugar. organic cane sugar is a good substitute. Readers have had success making a refined-sugar free version using coconut sugar.
  • Egg White.Use a large egg white to make these candied pecans. Remember, the size of your egg will effect the amount of pecans used.
  • Sea Salt.I only bake with pure, fine sea salt. If you only have iodized table salt, you will need to cut the amount of salt in half.
  • Ground Cinnamon.Use a high-quality ground cinnamon for the absolute best flavor!
  • Vanilla extract.Please only use pure vanilla extract, no imitation!
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (4)

How to make Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

Like I’ve said before, these candied pecans are easy to make, but we will walk through the recipe step by step to ensure you success – and don’t forget to watch the video.

Combine the dry ingredients

Begin by mixing together the sugar, sea salt and cinnamon in a small bowl, then set it aside. It’s important to thoroughly mix the dry ingredients so they are evenly distributed on the candied pecans.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (5)

Whisk Wet Ingredients

Use either a wire whisk or a hand mixer and beat the egg white and vanilla together until frothy. (You will notice in the video that the mixture is a little whiter, that is just because the egg white was beaten longer). You just need the wet mixture to be frothy, you do not want to beat the egg whites until they are stiff.

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Add Pecans

Next, add the pecans to the wet mixture and stir until thoroughly combined and coated.

Note on the Amount of Pecans

Start by adding a little less than 4 cups of pecans to the wet mixture, and slowly add the rest to be sure there are no dry pecans and no wet mixture stuck to the sides of the bowl. The amount of nuts can vary slightly depending on the size of your egg white.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (7)

Add dry ingredients

Next, stir in the dry ingredients until the pecans are evenly coated.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (8)

Bake

The baking time, temperature and method isextremely important in this cinnamon sugar pecans recipe.

  • Do not use parchment paper/foil!Do bake these Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans directly on the pan. When you stir the pecans, you need to reincorporate the cinnamon sugar “syruP” from the pan onto the nuts, and parchment paper/foil soaks up the liquid, which results in less coated nuts and a big old mess. You can use a silicone baking mat but it’s not necessary.
  • Do not adjust baking time.Bake at 250 for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Even if theyseem done after 45 minutes, the extra 15 minutes gives these Cinnamon Sugar Pecansthe perfect crispiness that’s retained even after freezing.
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Serve

You won’t be able to resist eating these candied pecans warm fresh from the oven. They are to die for and not only taste delicious, but they make your house smell like cinnamon-sugar heaven.Here are some serving suggestions:

  • Serve with this balsamic vinaigrette on a salad for a delicious combo.
  • Sprinkle some on these roasted beets! SO GOOD!
  • Add a few to this kale salad, brussels sprouts salad, burrata salad or this roasted vegetable quinoa salad!
  • Sprinkle some on top of these overnight oats with yogurt!
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (10)

How to Store Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

This candied pecans recipe makes a large batch. I always make the full recipe and enjoy some, then store or freeze the rest for later. I like to have them on hand to pull out and use on salads.

Store them at room temperature in an airtight container (glass jar) for up to 2 weeks.

How to Freeze Candied Pecans

  1. Let the pecans cool completely.
  2. Transfer candied pecans to a freezer-friendly, airtight container.
  3. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  4. Thaw at room temperature and enjoy. They thaw very quickly, and even taste great frozen.
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (11)

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Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (12)

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (13)

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Cinnamon Sugar Pecans (Candied Pecans)

Laura

This homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe is easy to make with only 6 ingredients & is so much more delicious than the nuts from the mall or fair! Plus, these candied pecans are gluten & dairy-free & freezer-friendly! Make a batch, store them in the freezer and use as a salad topper or enjoy as a sweet snack!

4.97 from 66 votes

Course condiment, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 32 Servings

Calories 112

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Cook Time1 hour hour

Total Time1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Grease a large baking sheet. (Do not use parchment paper or foil. Bake directly on the greased pan).

  • In a small bowl, combine sugar, sea salt, and cinnamon, set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl, whip egg white and vanilla with a until frothy (about 1 minute). Either whisk by hand or use a handheld mixer.

  • Add pecans to wet mixture 1 cup at a time, stirring to coat the nuts evenly. Depending on the size of your egg white you may use slightly more or less than 4 cups pecans. Just make sure all nuts are well coated before adding more.

  • Once pecans are completely coated, sprinkle the dry ingredients over the pecans and stir until evenly distributed. Make sure to scrape any extra cinnamon sugar mixture off the sides and bottom of the bowl and incorporate it into the pecan.

  • Spread the pecans evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

  • Bake at 250 degrees F for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes (you will stir 3 times before removing from the oven).

  • Let cool or enjoy them warm.

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the freezer.

Video

Notes

*This recipe makes 4 cups of candied pecans.

Please follow baking time exactly. Even if they seem done at 45 minutes do not skip the last 15 minutes of baking.

IngredientSubstitutions

  • Pecans.Use raw, unsalted pecans halves in this candied pecan recipe. I don’t recommend any substitutions. Check out my candied almonds if you’d prefer almonds.
  • Granulated Sugar.Regular granulated sugar and organic cane sugar are the two varieties I have used to make these cinnamon sugar pecans. Readers have had success making a refined-sugar free version using coconut sugar.
  • Egg White.Use a large egg white to make these candied pecans. Remember, the size of your egg will effect the amount of pecans used!
  • Sea Salt.I only ever bake with pure, fine sea salt. If you only have iodized table salt, you will need to cut the amount of salt in half.
  • Ground Cinnamon.Use a high-quality ground cinnamon for the absolute best flavor!
  • Vanilla extract.Please only use pure vanilla extract, no imitation!

Store

Store candied pecans at room temperature in an airtight container (glass jar) for up to 2 weeks.

Freeze

  • Let the cinnamon sugar pecans cool completely.
  • Transfer candied pecans to a freezer-friendly, airtight container.
  • Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw at room temperature and enjoy. They thaw very quickly, and even taste great frozen.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 74mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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    Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you make cinnamon and brown sugar pecans? ›

    In a medium skillet over medium heat, stir together the brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and salt. Cook until the sugar dissolves and bubbles, about 1 minute. Add the pecans and cook, stirring, until coated, another 1 to 2 minutes. Spread the pecans in a single layer on the baking sheet and set aside to cool and crisp up.

    Why do you soak pecans before roasting? ›

    Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

    How much sugar is in cinnamon pecans? ›

    Fisher
    Nutrition Facts
    How much sugar is in Cinnamon Pecans? Amount of sugar in Cinnamon Pecans: Sugar 11g-
    How much fiber is in Cinnamon Pecans? Amount of fiber in Cinnamon Pecans: Fiber 2g8%
    How much protein is in Cinnamon Pecans? Amount of protein in Cinnamon Pecans: Protein 2g
    Vitamins and minerals
    15 more rows

    Why are my candied pecans sticky? ›

    If after they have cooled down, the pecans are still sticky, this means that the sugar mixture never reached a high enough temperature when on the stove. To fix them, place the nuts back into the skillet and cook a bit longer.

    What's the difference between brown sugar and cinnamon sugar? ›

    Cinnamon sugar combines ground cinnamon with sugar to make a sweet ingredient or topping for desserts. It is different from brown sugar, which is sugar that is less processed than granulated sugar, leaving behind some moisture and giving it a more caramel-like flavor.

    Is it better to roast pecans before baking? ›

    Pecans are typically added to a recipe for added texture and flavor and toasting them will only improve both qualities. Toasting pecans (or any nut for that matter) not only makes them extra crisp and crunchy, but you'll get an even greater boost of nuttiness and flavor.

    How long should pecans be soaked? ›

    Drain, Rinse, and Roast - After soaking your pecan nuts for about 8 hours, it's time to drain and rinse them. Once you're done with that, spread them over a baking sheet or dehydrator evenly to get them ready for roasting.

    How long do I need to soak pecans? ›

    Preparation:
    1. Place the pecans and salt in a large glass or stainless steel bowl along with 8 cups of water. The pecans will swell during the soaking process, so you want enough water to keep them covered.
    2. Leave them on the counter to soak for 4-8 hours. ...
    3. After they are done soaking, drain and rinse in a colander.

    Is it better to soak or roast nuts? ›

    Soaking nuts

    This process makes raw nuts easier to digest and breaks down the phytic acid, which actually helps humans to access more nutritional benefits. Simply place your nuts in a bowl, add 1 to 2 teaspoons sea salt and cover with warm or room temperature water.

    Can Type 2 diabetics eat pecans? ›

    Diabetes management

    Pecans have a very low glycemic index, which means that eating them does not cause a spike in blood sugar, even in people with diabetes. Eating pecans can even offset the effects of higher glycemic index foods when eaten as part of the same meal.

    Are cinnamon pecans good for you? ›

    Pecans also contain significant amounts of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, vitamin A, zinc and magnesium. Not to mention that these maple cinnamon pecans are free from refined sugar and naturally sweetened with real maple syrup, making this the perfect healthy snack.

    How many pecans should a diabetic eat? ›

    A one-ounce serving of pecans (about 19 pecan halves) contains about 3g of fiber, which can help slow sugar absorption into your bloodstream. This can help prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes, which are common in people with diabetes.

    How many cups is 1 pound of pecans? ›

    Measurements and Substitutions

    If you happen to have pecans in their shells, remember that 1 pound equals 3 cups shelled, about 4 cups pecan halves, and about 3 3/4 cups chopped nuts. Equivalents to know when using shelled pecans are that 1 pound equals 4 cups and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped.

    Why do my pecans taste bad? ›

    Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.

    Why are my candied pecans grainy? ›

    Either you used raw nuts, or you added them before the sugar had a chance to fully caramelize. Why is the sugar all crystallized and grainy looking? It means that the sugar has crystallized before caramelizing.

    What is the brown powder on pecans? ›

    Powdery Mildew (caused by the fungus Microsphaera alni)

    Early-infected nuts may remain small and have an early shuck split and shriveled kernels. In some other states, it sometimes causes defoliation. The disease is usually held in check when a scab control program is followed.

    How long to soak pecans before eating? ›

    Preparation:
    1. Place the pecans and salt in a large glass or stainless steel bowl along with 8 cups of water. The pecans will swell during the soaking process, so you want enough water to keep them covered.
    2. Leave them on the counter to soak for 4-8 hours. ...
    3. After they are done soaking, drain and rinse in a colander.

    Is light or dark Karo syrup better for pecan pie? ›

    Light and dark corn syrup can be used interchangeably in almost every instance, with slight flavor variances. In a pecan pie, for example, light corn syrup will contribute sweetness and a hint of vanilla, but that's about it. Dark corn syrup, in addition to sweetness, will add color and a more robust, toasty flavor.

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