Easy Candied Pecans (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!)

by Shelley and Gretchen · May contain affiliate links

Published • Updated August 3, 2021

~ These deliciously easy candied pecans are so lightning-fast! You’ll be making them all the time … for snacks, on salads … even as last-minute gifts! ~

This Recipe Is:     Ready in 30 Minutes or Less    Make Ahead    Vegan (and Vegetarian)    Gluten Free  

Easy Candied Pecans Recipe (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!) {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}

We’re going nuts here today, friends! Wanna join us!?!?!

Nuts for salads, nut for snacks, nuts nuts nuts …

(Well … pecans, to be exact. But “we’re going pecans” just doesn’t sound the same.)

If you wanna take a quick peek before reading on, here’s a little video tutorial to give you an overview of how easy this Candied Pecan recipe is to make!

Video Tutorial

 


When it comes to creating healthy and delicious recipes (which is what we’re ALL about here at THK!), we adore nuts for lots of reasons, and we use them often in our recipe developing.

From a nutrition perspective, nuts are loaded with protein and healthy fats. But of course, they also have tons of great crunch and flavor, which means they’re a yummy addition to all sorts of recipes, too. Total win!

Easy Candied Pecans Recipe (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!) {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}

A handful of nuts is a stellar snack to help curb your hunger on a busy afternoon. And nuts are a fantastic salad topper, without the nutritional pitfalls of things like fakey-bacon bits, partially hydrogenated chow mein noodles, and white-carb (sneakily artificial) flavored croutons.

Nuts are just … better!

Easy Candied Pecans Recipe (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!) {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}

Want to pump up nuts’ yumminess quotient even more?

How about … candied nuts?!? (Well … candied pecans, to be exact!)

Unfortunately, store-bought versions of glazed, candied pecans often include additional, less-healthy ingredients. And homemade candied pecan recipes don’t always solve the problem – so many of those recipes involve loads of butter and added fats, and sometimes also loads of sugar or corn syrup. *SIGH*

Easy Candied Pecans Recipe (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!) {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}

Does it feel like you just can’t win?!?!?

Oh, but you can!

We’ve got an outstanding glazed, candied pecan recipe you’ll love!

You don’t even have to fire up your oven with this one … and we’re gonna get it done with just 4 ingredients (not including the water … ‘cuz who counts that?!?!)! Whoop! Whoop!

Easy Candied Pecans Recipe (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!) {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}

Too good to be true? Nope! But it is waaaaaaaaay too good! So, so good!

These pecans are quickly toasted to bring out a little extra flavor, and then tossed with just enough sweet-salty candy coating!

Easy Candied Pecans Recipe (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!) {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}

They’re deeee-lish as a salad topper, with just the right amount of sweetness to compliment other salad ingredients without being overpowering. We actually specifically developed this candied pecan recipe as a perfect, crunchy topping for our Salad with Goat Cheese, Pears, Candied Pecans and Maple-Balsamic Dressing.

They’re also are a fantastic snack, and perfect when you’re on the go! Our kiddos love ’em (when they can grab a handful before we eat them all ourselves)! And we love knowing that it’s a snack loaded with protein … and only a teensy bit of added sugar.

And pssssssst … if you’re ever in a jam, realizing you forgot to carefully select the most fan-tab-u-lastic hostess gift for a dinner party … know what you can do? Uh-huh … you guessed it! With just 5 minutes and a quick tango with a pretty jar and some ribbon, you’ll be granted most favored houseguest status! Yay, you (you savvy problem-solver)!

Easy Candied Pecans Recipe (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!) {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}

So while you’re at it … you just might wanna make two batches! These go fast!

Or, if you’re just in a nut-makin’ kinda mood, try our recipe for Pumpkin Pie Spiced Candied Pecans, too! They showcase a different cooking method, and are dressed up in favorite holiday flavors that make them perfect as party appetizers or easy hostess gifts! Mmmmmm … you’ve got options!

Glass parfait dish filled with candied pecans, with two extras lying next to it.

Easy Candied Pecans (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!)

Yield: About 1 cup
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

These deliciously EASY Candied Pecans are so quick and simple! Whip up a batch for a yummy snack, to top a salad ... even as a last-minute, homemade gift!

  Ready in 30 Minutes or Less    Make Ahead    Vegan (and Vegetarian)    Gluten Free  

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons water
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup pecan halves

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, water, vanilla, and kosher salt, stirring to combine (don't worry that the sugar and salt won't all be dissolved). Set this at-the-ready, next to your stove, as this recipe goes really quickly.
  2. In a medium-large saucepan over medium heat, toast pecans for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. When you begin to smell a lovely, nutty aroma, they're done.
  3. Quickly drizzle the sugar mixture into the pan, on top of the pecans, stirring the nuts as you drizzle. Stir constantly for about 15 seconds, until the pecans are thoroughly coated in the sugar mixture. Immediately remove from heat so they don't burn.
  4. Spread the pecans on a piece of parchment to cool. Once cooled, you can break the nuts apart, if needed.
  5. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container. The pecans will be slightly sticky at first, but the coating hardens further within a few hours.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 servings Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 196Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 65mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 2g

Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.

Did You Make This Recipe?

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Easy Candied Pecans Recipe (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!) {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}
Easy Candied Pecans Recipe (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!) {www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com}

219 thoughts on “Easy Candied Pecans (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!)”

    • I’m so happy to hear this, Lori – thank you for the terrific feedback! We sure do love these, too! My husband made two double batches of them for Thanksgiving, mostly to put on our “Thanksgiving Salad” and I actually had to hide them if I wanted to have enough left to make the salad, because the kids just wouldn’t stop sneaking them lol! I had some old store-bought candied pecans in the cupboard, but the kids didn’t even want those and said the homemade ones were so much better. 😀 Thanks again for the lovely review – and Happy Holidays!! ~Shelley

      Reply
  1. Super easy and delicious. I have these already prepared and waiting to add to my salad for Thanksgiving.
    I will be making these for our regular dinner salads in the future. My husband asked why he hadn’t had these before? !

    Reply
    • I’m so happy to hear these were both easy for you to make, and also delicious! I couldn’t agree more … and guess what’s on my list to make in the next couple of days? Yup! These candied pecans (for my Thanksgiving Salad“). They’re just so addictive! Enjoy – and I hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving! 😀 ~Shelley

      Reply
  2. This has become my favorite go to recipe for tipping salads from avg to Wow! So easy and quick to make. I now keep an airtight dish filled and ready in the pantry. A nice addition to a sweet plate, fruit tray, too.

    Thank you for sharing this recipe.

    Reply
    • I’m so happy these help you make “Wow” salads and are so good and easy that you’ve got them on hand at all times! That’s high praise, for sure! 😀 What a lovely feedback, Vicki – I really appreciate that you took the time to let me know how much you enjoy these pecans! ~Shelley

      Reply

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