Candied Pecans

Article by: Krissy Downey  

 Candied pecans are a sweet and crunchy treat, combining the natural richness of pecans with a sugary, caramelized coating. These nuts are ideal for everything from snacking to salads and desserts. Our recipe keeps things as simple as can be, with just pecans, sugar and water, plus ten minutes of your time. Read on for all of our tips and tricks for sweet, rich, and crunchy candied pecans.

How to Make Candied Pecans Like a Pro

Use fresh pecans. Home cooks don’t always realize that nuts can (and often do) go rancid sitting in the cabinet for too long. Smell and taste your nuts to check for freshness and store them in the freezer to maximize their shelf life.

Don’t over or under-simmer the pecans. The key to our candied pecans recipe is to get the simmering time just right. Too short, and they don’t get crunchy; too long, and they are too difficult to chew, like a hard candy. You want to make sure you take them off the heat right in the sweet spot when they are just glossy, after about 5 or so minutes.

Let the pecans cool completely. Once you remove the pecans from the sugar, you want to spread them out, so they don’t stick together and really let them cool. Letting them take the time to cool off will harden the sugar and create that crunchy crust around each nut.

Uses for Candied Pecans

We think these candied pecans are perfect as a snack all on their own, but we also love to add them to our favorite dishes for added flavor and texture. They’re delicious in a chopped salad, thrown into a banana bread recipe, or on top of an ice cream sundae. Candied pecans also make a fabulous holiday gift; simply put them in an airtight, transparent jar, tie a ribbon around the jar, and give out to your family and friends.

How Long Do Candied Pecans Last?

Candied pecans last at room temperature for up to one week. Be sure to label the jar with an expiration date if you give them out as a gift, but we have a feeling they’ll be gobbled up before a week passes by.

Can You Freeze Candied Pecans?

Absolutely, yes, and we recommend making a big batch and freezing so that you always have candied pecans on hand. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze overnight. Then, transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready to use, thaw them in the refrigerator.