Candied Pecans Anyone Can Make (Easy, Holiday Party Nuts)

Perfect for holiday office parties or family get-togethers, these party nuts keep your guests satiated while the turkey or ham is still in the oven (especially if you're also serving pre-dinner drinks at your soiree).

This is the easiest spiced nuts recipe you can make requiring a mere 5 minutes of hands-on time, a bowl, and a baking sheet, plus it's vegetarian and gluten-free.

These holiday nuts are always the first thing to disappear from any holiday spread!

No Candy Thermometer Needed Candied Nuts Recipe

There are generally two easy ways to make candied pecans -- baked in the oven or cooked in a skillet on the stovetop (or what are often called 'quick candied pecans').

For these spiced pecans, I've used the no-fail oven-baked method which means you don't need lots of experience or a candy thermometer to make sure the sugar mixture reaches the hard crack stage/temperature.

Even if you've never cooked in your life, this glazed pecans recipe is so easy it would be difficult to not have a 100% success rate! Even really young kids can help make these spiced nuts.

Plus, you can make all kinds of party nuts using this recipe, by simply switching out the pecans for peanuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts, or even pepita seeds! 

Why This Recipe Works

This is a really easy no-fail candied pecans recipe. If you've ever made candied pecans in a skillet on the stovetop and wondered why they were sticky, it's because the sugar mixture didn't reach a high enough temperature.

This is called the hard crack stage in candy-making, and it's necessary to set the sugar and make it crunchy when cooled.

That's why, this is a perfect beginner's candied pecan recipe because the oven takes out all of the guesswork. 

Why We Love This Candied Pecan Recipe

• This is a super easy candied pecan recipe (they're addictive!)
• Homemade sugared pecans are less expensive and fresher than store-bought
• Makes the best last-minute recipe to bake and take to holiday parties
• There are no weird ingredients or preservatives in these flavored pecans
• It uses 6 basic pantry ingredients plus salt (5 if you omit the pumpkin spice)
• It's all mixed up and tossed together in 5 minutes
• Perfectly sweetened(not too much and not too little)
• They're perfect to add to popcorn salads on movie night
• It's a Christmas dessert recipe or Thanksgiving recipe kids can easily make and feel proud of

Cinnamon Glazed Candied Pecans Ingredients

Making cinnamon pecans requires just a few simple ingredients. The cinnamon and sugar amounts are adjustable-I've used just enough to create caramelly, super crunchy nuts with a hint of cinnamon flavor that's perfectly balanced without being overwhelming.

Sugar adds sweetness and caramel flavor without overpowering the pecans' natural taste.

Cinnamon provides warm spice that complements rather than masks the pecans.

Pumpkin spice (optional but recommended) adds depth and makes these nuts kinda irresistible.

Egg white acts as the glue so the coating sticks to the nuts instead of the pan.

Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract or Nielsen-Massey Vanilla extract enhances the caramel flavor (water works in a pinch).

Salt balances the sweetness-essential for preventing one-dimensional flavor.

Pecans become exceptionally crunchy and buttery when roasted with this coating.

1. Toss the pecans in the egg white-vanilla extract mixture. 
2. Toss the fully coated pecans in the sugar and spices.
3. Bake the pecans, stirring 4 times total as they roast until crunchy and evenly browned.

How to Serve Candied Pecans

Candied Pecans make excellent DIY food gifts for the holidays, or to bring along as a hostess gift for your nut-loving friends.

They're a perfect (mostly healthy) snack that pairs extremely well with cheese, fruit, and crackers on a charcuterie board.

Use them as a delicious salad topper, sprinkled over a bowl of your favorite ice cream, or crumbled and baked right into some of your favorite muffins, pumpkin bread, or my favorite -- this 5-star banana bread recipe!

How to Store Candied Pecans

Store candied pecans in a sealed glass jar at room temperature for up to 1 week (or any airtight container will do).

These don't last long at our house, but if you want to make them ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them, here's how:

• Store them at room temperature for up to a week
• Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks
• Store them in the freezer in a freezer bag, or another airtight container (tempered glass jars work well too) for up to 3 months. To thaw, remove them from the container and allow them to come to room temperature on a baking tray.

Can You Add Other Flavors to Homemade Candied Pecans?

Yes, you can easily add different flavors to candied pecans or other party nuts by substituting the vanilla extract with other extracts like almond, coconut, orange, or even rum extract.

You can also add cayenne pepper to make spicy candied pecans. Or use different spices like nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, cloves, and ginger to give them a different spiced flavor altogether.

Lastly, you can also add grated orange zest or use this homemade orange sugar to give candied pecans a slight citrus flavor. Spice them up with a little cayenne for a spicy kick, which also tastes great.

Looking For More Holiday Dessert Recipes?

Below are just a few of our favorite pecan recipes, cheesecakes, and holiday desserts that are great for the Holidays! If you're trying to get a head start on baking, these are big hits at any party.