Crunchy and sweet Candied Cinnamon Pecans are a welcome treat anytime of year! Add these candied nuts to your holiday baking list or roast a batch whenever you need a tasty treat to share with loved ones.
Delicioius on spinach salad, in snickerdoodle cheesecake bars, or as a snack all on their owne, everyone loves these candied pecans! Give our holiday chex mix a try if you love the sweet and salty snacks!
Candied Pecans
Lightly sweet and spiced with cinnamon, these candied nuts are a less rich holiday treat option in a time of year when Egg nog Fudge and Oreo truffles are dominating the dessert tables.
My dad makes these pecans every year. They are simply addictive.
The cinnamon sugar coating gets baked on (thanks to some egg whites), and the result is a crunchy candied pecan.
I’ll put a bowl of these candied cinnamon pecans out whenever I have guests over this time of year and there’s never a single nut leftover.
These pecans are quite tasty tossed on a salad too, if you find yourself with any extras after the holidays. (I know, crazy right? Extras?).
Sure, you could just buy a bag of candied nuts from the store but the flavor is SO much better when they come from your own oven. Plus, the delightful cinnamon smell that’ll fill your house is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.
Ingredient Notes
These nuts are a little bit sweet, a little bit salty, and a LOT delicious.
To make Candied Cinnamon Pecans, you need . . .
- pecan halves– you could also use a variety of your favorite nuts, including walnuts, cashews, and almonds!
- egg whites– use the remaining egg yolks for some homemade lemon curd!
- sugar
- vanilla extract- get my tips and tricks on how to make homemade vanilla extract.
- cinnamon
- salt– learn why I always use kosher salt in baking!
Step by Step Instructions
STEP 1. Beat egg whites with a whisk for a minute until frothy.
STEP 2. Add sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Beat again.
STEP 3. Fold in pecan halves until completely coated.
STEP 4. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour pecans onto parchment and bake in a 225 degree oven for one hour. Stir pecans every 15 minutes.
Remove and cool completely. Store in a ziploc bag or airtight container for 1-2 weeks. ENJOY!
Recipe Note: Don’t forget to stir the pecans every 15 minutes during baking. This keeps them from sticking and ensures even roasting on all sides.
How to Serve
Looking for an easy homemade gift idea?
Place these nuts in a mason jar with a cute ribbon and tag. They’re a perfect hostess gift or teacher gift anytime of year. They don’t have to be just for the holidays! (If you ever come to a party at my house, I’ll never say no to a jar of cinnamon pecans.)
- Use on your favorite salad recipes
- Sprinkle on top of homemade cakes, like this Brown Sugar Pound Cake
- Enjoy in Peach Dump Cake
- Top your homemade ice cream with chocolate syrup and candied pecans!
Substitutions
Change up the flavor and try this Maple Brown Sugar Candied Pecan recipe. You’ll love the rich nutty flavor paired with sweet brown sugar.
You can also try these Roasted Nuts with chipotle and rosemary. Such a unique pairing that is perfect any time of year!! Everyone will ask for this recipe.
Along with snacking on these and throwing them into salads, Candied Cinnamon Pecans would be a fabulous addition to a homemade cheese board at your holiday parties.
Recipe FAQs
Pralines are usually made with brown sugar, cream, and butter, while candied pecans are typically sugar and egg whites.
Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
If your pecans are still sticky it means you may not have cooked them long enough to create that hard coating on the outside. It also could mean that they are being stored in high humidity.
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Candied Cinnamon Pecans
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pecan halves
- 2 large egg whites beaten
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- Beat egg whites with a whisk for a minute until frothy. Add sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Beat again. Fold in pecan halves until completely coated.
- Line a 15x10x1 baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour pecans onto parchment and bake in a 225 degree oven for one hour. Stir pecans ever 15 minutes.
- Remove and cool completely. ENJOY!
Notes
- Storage: Place pecans in an airtight container at room temperature and store for up to one month.
- Substitutions: Use up to 2 lbs of a variety of nuts, including walnuts, almonds, and cashews for a nutty twist!
Nutrition
Crunchy roasted pecans with a cinnamon candy coating are a delicious treat for the holidays or any time of year.
This is the first time I’ve tried this recipe this way and I loved it! I was looking for a recipe that I could use the entire 2lb bag of pecans that I get at Costco and this is it. I’ve made it before where you add the pecans to the egg white mixture and THEN add the dry sugar/cinnamon/salt mix. I must say it was much easier and turned out just as well to mix it all as one. The only thing I would change is add another 1/2 C sugar as it needed a little more sweetness for 2 lbs of pecans. I will definitely be making this all in one procedure again as I love to give candied cinnamon pecans as gifts.
This is a perfect treat everyone will love. Can’t wait to make it again for the holidays.
This is my favorite holiday snack! I love making little bags for friends and family too!
I want to make your Cabdies Cinnamon Pecans, but how many cups are 2lb? i do not have a scale.
About 8 cups.
I’m a “SWeet-holic”, Sweets, before REAL FOOD‼️‼️‼️ It doesn’t need to be a Holiday, to make these, have already made them, right after getting the email. I Love them,!!! They are always available at flea markets, and fairs, I always buy some, BUT these beat them, by mile! Your recipe Rocks!!!!!
I have made 4 5 different recipes from your website, ALL Awesome‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
All I can say is, if you’re from the South and move to Canada bring money or you won’t be eating any southern foods. Bought pecans yesterday to make these, and 2 lbs. cost $40!
Gosh, I would adore these if I wasn’t allergic to nuts but those eggnog doughnuts sound like a winner for sure tomorrow morning.
These are going to be my new favorite treat! Merry Christmas to you and your family Aimee!
I am almost ready…still have cards to mail (big fail there this year) and presents to wrap! My sweet teeth are ready for all the Christmas goodies. I’ll be waiting for you to throw a package out the door as you pass me next week;-)
Yum, those pecans look delicious! Merry Christmas, Aimee! :0)