Candied Pecans
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Published
These are truly the best Candied Pecans recipe made with whipped egg whites, butter, and vanilla, then coated in a cinnamon-powdered sugar mixture. They’re more addicting than potato chips and make an easy and fantastic treat for parties or gifts for the holidays!
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5 STAR REVIEWS
These candied pecans are pretty much a permanent fixture in my house at holiday time. I’ve lost count of how many batches I have made over the years…and how many people have become indebted to me by leaving them on the counter top, greeting friends and family as they walk through the door. The smell is as intoxicating as cinnamon rolls.
Most recipes for candied nuts are simply baked in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. This one takes it up a couple notches with a meringue coating and spiced-powdered sugar. They are amazing and very easy to make!
Helpful Tips & Variations
- Pecan halves. Our star ingredient! They are not toasted first. If pecans aren’t your thing, use walnuts or almonds.
- Not a spec of egg yolk! Make certain that not even the tiniest bit of egg yolk gets in or the egg whites won’t beat properly and reach stiff peaks.
- 2 sugars. Granulated sugar is necessary to create the meringue when beaten with the egg whites. Powdered sugar coats the warm baked pecans for the ultimate finishing touch.
- Melted butter. I always use salted butter for this recipe. If using unsalted, I recommend adding in a touch of salt. It helps balance out the sweetness.
- Cinnamon. This spice provides wonderful warm aromatics and flavor. If you’re allergic, just leave it out. The pecans will still be amazing. You can also play with other spices, like pumpkin pie spice or add in a bit of cayenne pepper for a kick.
- Don’t skip the nonstick spray. Even if you’re using a nonstick pan, and yes, even with the melted butter. The pecans are very sticky as they roast and the spray really aids in your ability to stir them.
- Stir every 10 minutes. These pecans bake for 40 minutes, but you need to stir them every 10 minutes for the sweet egg white coating to cook properly.
- Bake at 325F not 350F. Don’t make the mistake of cooking these at the standard 350F. The lower temperature will prevent them from burning.
- Let cool just briefly. When the pecans are done baking, let them cool for just a couple minutes, but not longer. They should still be warm before tossing them with the powdered sugar.
- Doubling the recipe. If you double the recipe, you will need to make in separate batches. The pecans need room to “breathe” and roast on the baking sheet and not be piled on top of one another.
Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 pound pecan halves
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Generously coat a large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla and gradually beat in the sugar until a gooey meringue forms. Toss in the pecans and mix gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until they are coated thoroughly.
- Pour melted butter evenly onto the prepared baking sheet so it coats the surface.
- Spread the pecans out to an even layer over the butter.
- Transfer to the oven and bake for 40 minutes, stirring them every 10 minutes with a spatula – do not skip this step! (They will look like a gloppy mess at first, but don’t worry! Keep stirring and rearranging back to an even layer and all will be good.)
- Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes, but not much longer.
- Place powdered sugar and cinnamon in a large resealable plastic bag; add in the warm pecans, seal and shake until coated.
- These are best served warm, but absolutely delicious even after a few weeks! Helpful tips, variations, and storage information are included in the article.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!How to Make Candied Pecans Step By Step
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat 3 large egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla and gradually beat in 1 cup granulated sugar until a meringue forms.
- Toss in 1 pound pecan halves and mix gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until they are coated thoroughly.
- Generously coat a large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Then pour 1/2 cup melted butter evenly onto it, making sure it coats the whole surface.
- Scoop the pecans onto the melted butter and spread them out to an even layer.
- Bake for 40 minutes, stirring them every 10 minutes with a spatula – do not skip this step! (They will look like a gloppy mess at first, but don’t worry! Keep stirring and rearranging back to an even layer as instructed and all will be good.)
- Remove from oven and cool for just a few minutes.
- Place 1 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a large resealable plastic bag; add in the warm pecans, seal and shake until coated.
- They’re amazing served warm, but absolutely delicious even after a few weeks!
Proper Storage
- Serving and Gifting. Like most pralines, they’re best warm from the oven, but still incredibly wonderful at room temperature and even several days later. Make up a batch for yourself and the loved ones in your life. A cup of these in a cellophane bag, with a cute ribbon as holiday gifts, and everyone will be indebted to you.
- How long do candied pecans last? These can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple weeks or in the fridge for a month.
- Can you freeze candied pecans? You can, but I would recommend you let them cool and not coat them in the powdered sugar, which gets wet and gooey once thawed. Instead, roast and cool completely, freeze, then rewarm slightly and coat with the powdered sugar mixture before serving. They can be frozen up to 2 months.
More Holiday Candies:
- Polar Bear Paws See’s Candies Copycat
- Homemade Caramels
- Chocolate Fudge
- Crockpot Candy
- Cream Cheese Mints
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
My Candied Pecans recipe was originally published 12/2/20. It was retested and republished to be better than ever 12/2/25.
Made these last year as hostess gifts for my New Years Eve Brunch guests. Such a hit!! Everyone absolutely loved them! Very few ingredients, some time and you’ve got a fabulous snack or gift. Try this recipe, you won’t regret it and it will be a returning holiday favorite.
This is the best candy pecans that I’ve ever had or made. I make them every year for Christmas and I don’t know what would happen if I didn’t make them. My friends and family go crazy for these pecans. Thank you so much for such an amazing recipe.
Wow!! Trust the process!! Best candied pecans ever! Thank you for the recipe!
I made these and WOWZA they are delicious! I was out of pecans so use walnuts. Delicious !
My question is: I would love to make another batch but make them sweet and spicy. Has anyone done this and what ratio, what spice did you use?
I’m thinking cayenne and perhaps kosher salt but not confident on amounts.
This recipe is amazing!! Followed it exactly and these pecans are perfection! These will be a part of our holiday celebrations from now on! Thank you!
Just made these OMG!!!! You sister are the best! I follow you and my is so much easier on “what to make” thank you! Keep up the great work. I appreciate you!
Sooo yummy! This has quickly become a family/friend favourite over the holidays. I get multiple requests to make them – thank you for sharing!!
Can you omit the cinnamon ? And they still taste good ?
Yes, they’re still amazing. Enjoy!
I make it every year for Christmas!
so so so good!! everyone I made them for loves them!
I just made these today for my kids and their families for Christmas. These are AMAZING!!!! I will most definitely be making these again. And again. And again! Thank you for this recipe!
Made these twice. Ones they were a bit soft and not crunchy and the next time they were crisp and crunchy. What did I do ? Was it the length or time ? I preferred them softer. They are great though!
I’m making this as we speak and I quadrupled the recipe. Was I also supposed to quadrupal the butter that is placed on the pan as well or should that have stayed at 1/2 cup? I did and of course it looks very buttery. I’m hoping it all mixes well throughout the process.
If you quadruple the recipe, then yes, you would need to quadruple all the ingredients including the butter, BUT if you do that with this recipe, you will need to make in batches. The pecans need room to “breathe” and roast on the baking sheet and not be piled on top of one another.
These are the best candies pecans I’ve ever had ! Everyone loves them thank you so much for your delicious recipes
This is INCREDIBLE. My daughter said she could eat them till she was sick. My husband had me make another batch to take to the job site where upon all the workers LOVED it.
This is hands down the best candied pecans ever!!! My 2nd year making them and it’s going to continue to be on my Christmas treat list!!
Love love, LOVE! These are so popular at Christmas, I decided we shouldn’t have to wait for Xmas! I make them for parties all year long!
These are great and great for gifts.
2 words… YUM-ME
These are amazing. Easy to follow instructions. This will be my third holiday season making these and gifting them to friends.
These are so good. Gave them out as Christmas treats and everyone loved them.
I made this recipe and it was so oo good. However when I mixed in powdered sugar they didn’t look like picture. Should I have coated again after they cooled more?
Delicious! Rave reviews from
everyone I have gifted them too! Can we add walnuts for variety?
Made this recipe last year and this is now my go-to for Xmas gifts bags! It’s so easy, love it!
Delicious and a big hit with everyone!
Made these for Christmas last year. They were so dang good!!! Making again this year. Lol
These are seriously addicting and so easy to make!
This came out perfect and the pecans are delicious!
Can I suggest that you not make these the morning of your party? They are so good you will eat them well before the party starts!
Wow these are delicious. I can’t have the sugar so I swapped for Lakanto monk fruit sweetener and powdered sugar. They are absolutely delicious! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe.
These are incredible. I’ve been making candied pecans for years, but none of them are as good as these. This recipe lives up to the hype!
These are outstanding!!! Thank you for sharing it with us!
These are the best candied pecans – made them last year and about to make my 4th batch this month. I’ve learned it’s important to make separate batches, not just double it, otherwise the pan gets overcrowded and the pecans don’t get crunchy. Seriously so good. I would give this recipe 100 stars if I could!
Hands down the best candied pecans ever. I made 2 batches last year and learned real quick I needed more this year. Got a great deal on pecans at Costco and made 10 (!) batches for friends, neighbors, teachers, and made sure to keep some for myself this time. THESE ARE AMAZING!!
Loved this. Will now be more than an annual treat for us
I made these for my coworkers and they all told me it reminded them of desserts when they were kids. Big hit
Wonderful recipe!!!! Must be the crunchy coating.
Absolutely the best candied pecans I have ever made. WOW. 10 stars.
I had a plan to stitch/duet your TikTok with Ice Man and Maverick saying “You are dangerous”. However, turns out that I don’t know how to run TikTok well enough to do that.
Holy Cow were these great! Am I allergic to pecans? Yes. Did I buy 8 pounds of pecans because of the obsession I had with your video last year and vowed to make them? Also, yes. Did I make these last night and try some? Yes as well. WORTH THE ITCHY MOUTH!!! I had my husband try them first and he said, “Holy sh*t. I can’t be trusted with these.”
I plan on making a few different types with maple extract and without cinnamon to have a nut tray variety. Amy, I knew these were going to be good. I had no idea they were going to be THAT good! I am delaying sending out Christmas Gifts today so I can get a bunch of pecans made and put in with my family’s gifts! Thanks again for the rocking recipe! If I figure out how to get the Top Gun video to work, I’m stitching you! :)
Merry Christmas!
Wow! I literally just made these and they are soooooo good. Like really good
Best candy pecans. I made it last Christmas and now again this year. It’s soooo good. Thank you
This recipe lives up to the promise – truly the best candied pecans I’ve ever tasted.
Can egg whites from a carton be used?
Hi Sandy! I’ve never tested this recipe with carton egg whites, so I can’t say, sorry.
Yep! I used carton egg whites and it worked just fine!
Used this last year for my neighbor Christmas gifts. I had people texting me saying they couldn’t wait until next year! Excited to do it again this Christmas : )
I made two batches tonight. They are soooo good. I will be packaging them and giving them out at work tomorrow. I did add a little kosher salt to the top to cut the sweetness.
Absolutely Devine! Made today. They lasted 15 mins! My daughter has just set off to buy more nuts for a second batch. I had just under a pound of pecans but it was still perfect. I’ll be trying with cashew , walnut and almond trio next. Wonderful easy recipe using fridge and pantry staples. I’m making some for workmate gifts. Love them a lot.
Love these. Just wondering if anyone has tried adding cocoa powder to these or drizzling with chocolate? My husband’s favorite dessert is chocolate pecan pie but I’m not sure if cocoa powder would be too much in this recipe.
Made this recipe MANY times last year (kept eating the gifts!!) For this year, I was wondering if you’ve ever roasted the pecans to use in the recipe? The roasting makes them taste better and provides a little crispness to them. What do you think? THANKS!!
I have been getting requests for these all year! And even from avowed haters of pecans!
These are OUTSTANDING. I don’t want to share any of them!
I add a little extra cinnamon, plus a pinch of salt to the powdered sugar coating. I toss the nuts and sugar in a large bowl, because the heat from the nuts can deteriorate a plastic bag.
These freeze really well, so I make a few batches before the holidays to have on hand for parties and gifts.
Can confirm these are the best :)
Hi been wanting to make the recipe for a while. It is great!!!!
Thank you for chairing
These were AMAZING. I shouldn’t have made them so far before Thanksgiving because I can’t sop eating them – they’re won’t be any left! LOL. Best candied pecans ever. Wow.
I was looking for a great easy recipe for my overload of walnuts.wow my family loved them.Now I have to try the pecans for the holiday.thanks
Best candied pecans recipe I have ever made or tasted. Made these last year and regretted giving most of them away – I’m making an extra batch this year and hiding them just for me! LOL.
I’ve made this recipe last Christmas and it was a big hit! Just wondering if you could use any other nuts instead of pecans? I found out I’m allergic to pecans…
Sure! It works great with walnuts or almonds.
Hi Britta I made the recipe with walnuts.I couldn’t stop eating them.
Just as delicious as they all said! Save TikTok!
The video on Tiktok for this recipe is how I discovered your page. I made 5 lbs of these for Christmas gifts and they were a hit!! I love gifting but this is a simple and delicious way to gift without breaking the bank. Thank you for sharing the recipe!!
Hi Amy! Just dropping a line to say how much I enjoy your video clips on TT and to say how much I love this recipe for candied pecans, it really is a game changer! I’ve made it a number of times to present as gifts and thank-you treats (while sneaking a few for myself before they’re all gone)…and everyone raves about them. While I bask in the praise, I always acknowledge your site as the source! I just wanted to share that, while trying to manage my diabetes (this is such a great high-protein and fibre treat with the nuts and eggs) I substituted half the sugar with Splenda and it worked beautifully and seemed to make the nuts a little crunchier (but I have to watch them a little closer for doneness). Yes, there’s still the icing sugar but I lightly tossed mine so they didn’t accumulate too much coating (I’m going to try coating using half regular and half sugar free icing sugar in the future) and in the meantime, I try to limit how many I sneak…not an easy task, LOL. Keep up the great work, I look forward to some great new inspiration from you! A Canadian follower.
i’m the only one in my house who eats pecans…so i make the recipe and then take them into work for my coworkers to enjoy with me! This recipe never fails to please everyone!
Hi, I made these right around Christmas and took to work, EVERYBODY loved them. I made a batch for my parents and their lake neighborhood friends and they said they are addicting. Thank you so much for sharing.
Delicious!! These pecans will be a tradition in my home! And so easy to make!! ?
Greetings from the Netherlands. Second time I made them using your recipe. Absolutely delicious!
Tried this recipe and they were delicious
Very yummy! And addictive. Keeper for Christmas.
Incredible
They were delicious! Saving this recipe and will make it every year. Thank you!!
These turned out amazing!!!
Brought this to a Christmas dinner and everyone loved them!
These were so good. Making another batch to share!
Turned out PERFECT, everyone loved them, best recipe ever, only note I have is, I did have to whisk the egg whites, not beat them!
Omg. These are truly THE BEST candied pecans ever! I also made your polar bear paws and crockpot candy. So happy I found you on TikTok!!
I love this recipe! They are awesome!
I just made this and can’t stop ‘sampling’ them…they’re soooo good!! It’s gonna be my go-to gift basket gift from now on.
Made these for our Anniversary….what a treat! Never made these before….kids loved to help!
These look amazing! Does it matter if the butter is salted vs unsalted?
Either! Use whichever you prefer depending on taste.
Amazing! New family favorite! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
OMG! These are amazing! They will be made every year now and likely in between too! So good and so easy!
I made them to gift them and now I don’t want to give them away. They’re amazing!!
Holy cow! This has become one of my favorites during the holiday season. Cheers to you!
This was so easy to make and is delicious!!
This was the best candied pecans I have ever tasted. I’m glad you mentioned about how the look through the cooking/stirring. I would have thought I ruined them. Next up Reindeer Chow ?
Made a test batch this evening to see if it was Christmas worthy lol. Oh boy these are delicious! My family says we will need at least a double batch. Thanks for the great recipe!
first time making candied pecans and these were a huge hit! so glad i found you on tiktok – new follower here!
Followed you here from TikTok made this recipe the other night and they absolutely loved it. Now I’m trying it with almonds.
Can you use liquid egg whites?
no, they won’t whip up
Liquid egg white whipped up just fine for me.
These look amazing! I’m lactose intolerant and can’t do butter. Would this would with margarine, or is there another alternative you would recommend?
Hi Heidi – I don’t think this would work with margarine. Without further testing, I just can’t recommend substitutions, sorry!
I used vegan butter and it was perfect. Country crock olive oil sticks.
These are easy and delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
I made it once. Then made it again right away. So good. Easy to follow directions and delicious!
I finished these at 6:30 pm and I fully expect my household of two to finish these before the night is through. Amazing and delicious, and so simple!
Rushed to make these after seeing your viral TikTok and they did not disappoint!!! WOWZA. Best candied pecans indeed. All my friends and family will be getting some this Christmas. Thank you for sharing!!
simply do not make these. They are so fricken good and addictive that you will have the intention to make them for Christmas but end up eating all of them to yourself. It’s heavenly
i forgot to rate the recipe!! 5/5 stars
I made this recipe today and they’re AMAZING
Found you on TikTok and couldn’t wait to make these. I can attest that these are indeed THE BEST CANDIED PECANS EVER!!! New staple in my house for holiday time for sure. Thank you!!
Saw you on Tik Tok and looking forward to making your candied pecans. I work with Bass Pecan Company in Mississippi and I would like to link to your pecan recipes and TikTok videos if given permission.
This recipe! ?omg so good!I can’t stop eating them!
This sounds wonderful. Just wondering how many pecans I need for one batch.
Hi Patricia – 1 pound pecan halves is listed in the ingredients. Thanks!
Have you made the key lime pecans? I would love the recipe if you have it.
Looking for that recipe here too!!
Can’t help but think that a dash of cinnamon would add a boost to the flavor. I use a recipe similar to this with a teaspoon of cinnamon but they don’t look nearly as good as these do.
The recipe has cinnamon mixed with the powdered sugar. Just thought you might not have seen it.
I made a double batch and handed them out as teacher/administrator gifts yesterday (they were hard to part with, let me tell you! Lol.) EVERYONE today asked for the recipe!
BEST PECANS I’VE EVER TRIED!
Superb!
I printed it and pinned it to Pinterest. Since it is after 1 am I will wait til the sun comes up and hubby is up and moving around before I make them, lol….Thank you Amy for the recipe…they look like the ones my Grandmother use to make…and if they taste as good as those I will be extremely happy.
Wonderful, thanks Sharlene!
Fantastic recipe!!
I was wondering if you can use light brown sugar instead of the granulated white sugar? Seems like this would give a more caramelized flavor. What do you think?
I’ve never altered this recipe, because it’s perfect as is, so I really don’t know. But since there’s no flour or salt involved (like with cookies), it could be fine. Try it!
They are absolutely delicious.
Loved these so much – brought back memories of me with my grandma. Loved the powdered sugar addition.
Fantastic recipe – perfect for holiday gift giving. Everyone loved them and asked for the recipe.
These are so delish. I gave them as gifts and everyone begged for the recipe!
Can’t wait to try these
Oh! Now i’ve got to try these! Love pecans and getting ready to start picking mine up from under the tree! Get to use my new pecan cracker which gives me three things to look forward too! Can’t beat that, thanks for the recipe, Rick.
These look amazing! I want to try this with hazelnuts (although, I’m guessing they won’t pick up the sugar coating as well without all those ridges).
Hi Sohroosh! Hazelnuts do sounds delish, but I think you’re right. I’m thinking of making these with walnuts, which I think would render a similar result as the pecans. I guess we won’t know until we try :D
I can attest that these little gems are totally addicting. Worse than crack…not that I know anything about that… but, well…you get the point.
It’s almost impossible to stop eating these! One has to tear oneself away from the dish to stop.
Do you think it’s possible to use liquid egg whites?
Words like Addictive, Irresistable, More Please!!, fall short of describing how truly Wonderful these are. My Mom made these every year during the Holidays since the Forties. A few times she said “not this year,Pecans are too high”. You’d have thought the world was ending to hear all of us whining. So being Mom, she’d find a way to sneak ’em into our Xmas stockings & have a reserve for THE BIG DINNER at Xmas. A few years ago, she became too frail to carry on so I was designated her replacement. Now, every year one of the first mentions of Chrismas doings is, ” you WILL be making the Nuts soon. Right?” And, being my Moms good son & apprentice, and to honor her memory, I begin making the first ten or so pounds this time of year followed by about ten more a week or so before Christmas. They never fail to bring big smiles to all who know them.
Love it! Thanks for the story, Dale.
Oh….Pecans….one of my weaknesses….!!! Printed & Thanks Amy!!
These sound like something I’d have to get my roommates to hide from ME. Lest I devour the entire batch in mere minutes.
I haven’t made candied nuts before, is it normal for the pecan to be soft after baking?
I had to take a snack to a party, and these were PERFECT.
I’m willing to face the gloopy mess if they turn into the little beauties you have photographed so well!
These are just totally addicting huh? Forget potato chips, or M&M’s or peanuts. You can’t walk by these without grabbing some and then coming back 1 minute later for more. Thank my mother-in-law. She is the one who send me the recipe and got me and the rest of Rhode Island addicted.
I’m glad you like them so much and I’m glad I got to share them with you and all your readers. They do make a great Christmas present.
What size baking pan?
Thank you! Love all your recipes!