Candied Pecans are a sweet and crunchy treat that is easy to mix together and bake anytime you need to satisfy a sweet tooth! I also have Candied Walnuts which are a perfectly sweet and crunchy snack.

Overhead of Candied Pecans in a Pan

Candied Pecans

Don’t wait until National Pecan Day (April 14th) to indulge in this sweet and nutty snack. Pecans are buttery nuts that are packed with antioxidants and keep you satisfied! The glaze that is added to these pecans gives just enough sweetness to go perfectly with the nutty crunch.

Candied Pecans Poured onto Sheet Pan

The Best Candied Pecans? 

Yes, these really are! Please know that I tested recipes for over 6 months trying to get the perfect consistency, flavor, and crunch on the final product. I also wanted to make sure they were shiny and beautiful, which means there was the perfect crystalization happening in the sugars. I also wanted to create a recipe that did not use egg or egg whites. This recipe for candied pecans is simply perfection!

These pecans are a great holiday treat to share; but, you don’t need to make this easy snack just for the holidays! Keep them around to grab anytime you need a sweet fix.

The main ingredients are pecans, of course. I use the best quality I can find and make sure there are as many whole pecans as possible. I also use honey… and this is my secret ingredient! Honey is the reason they are so beautiful and glistening. Don’t skip it! And of course, use real honey if you can.

Overhead of Candied Pecans in Pan with Spoon

How to Store Candied Nuts

Candied pecans can be stored in a few different ways. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you keep them in the refrigerator, they will last up to three weeks. Freeze the nuts for up to 2 months, making sure to label and date the container.

Candied Pecans in Jar

More Nutty Recipes

4.88 from 8 votes

Candied Pecans

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Candied Pecans are a sweet and crunchy treat that is easy to mix together and bake anytime you need to satisfy a sweet tooth!

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups (247.5 g) pecans, halved
  • ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (85 g) honey
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the pecans, brown sugar, honey, salt, and melted butter. The pecan halves should be well coated.
  • Spread the coated pecans evenly on the lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, stirring them at the 10 and 15-minute mark. (The pecans are done cooking when they are a deep brown color.)
  • Remove from the oven. Stir the pecans, spreading them out. Let cool completely before serving. (If the pecans are not crunchy enough, simply put them back in the oven to bake longer.)

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Meet Amanda Rettke

Amanda Rettke is the creator of I Am Baker, and the bestselling author of Surprise Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion – With a Little Something Extra Inside.Over the course of her 15+ year blogging adventure, she has been featured in and collaborated with the Food Network, New York Times, LA Times, Country Living Magazine, People Magazine, Epicurious, Brides, Romantic Homes, life:beautiful, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Mail, Star Tribune, The Globe and Mail, DailyCandy, YumSugar, The Knot, The Kitchn, and Parade, to name a few.

Reader Comments

  1. Like pralines at 10 and 15 minutes but wonderful at 20 minutes. I couldn’t quit snacking! New go-to recipe.

  2. I have made these pecans 3 times in the past four weeks. They are fantastic. Find the turtle cheesecake recipe and make that too!

  3. This is a simply marvelous recipe , i love it ! Quick, easy and absolutely delicious! Plus not as messy as the stovetop recipes. This one is definitely a keeper. Thanks so much for sharing!

  4. This looks good but I have a question. When you specify butter, does it mean salted or unsalted? Also should I adjust temperature or time for altitude (I am 6000ft up)

  5. This is a great recipe! Very easy and quick to make. I have made several batches this year for gifting to family and friends. Everyone loves them. Will be a holiday staple from now on. As a note…people who say that they burnt should check their oven temperature. I have checked my oven and it is right on target. 350 at 20 minutes is perfect. I left a batch in 5 minutes longer as a test to see if they would be crunchier and it was too long. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

  6. It’s definitely a matter of opinion. I usually make what I consider the best recipe. 4 cups pecans, roasted. 1/4 cup light karo syrup, 1/4 cup maple syrup. Mix the syrups together.
    After the pecans are roasted pour the mixture over and mix well. Put in 350 oven and watch constantly. Stir Q 5 mins x3. Remove and cool. Perfect! However, last yr I saw this recipe, tried it and my adult son liked ur recipe better!

  7. I may have figured out why everyone’s pecans are burning. Your directions say to bake for 20 minutes, but they say to stir at 10 minutes and at 15 minutes. That equals 25 minutes! 5 minutes too long! I checked my oven temp to be sure it was right, baked 10 min., stirred, then another 10 and they were perfect!

    1. She said to:
      Stir at 10 mins., then
      Stir at 15 mins., then
      Remove at 20 mins.
      You don’t add the minutes together!

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