Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe (2024)

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Candied Pecans Stovetop recipe is easy to make on the stove. Melted brown sugar and salt covers the pecans for a perfect snack or to top your salad.

Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe (1)

Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe:

We love making stovetop candied pecan recipe for a sweet and salty treat. These candied pecans are addicting and perfect for a snack or to top your favorite salad. They are easy to make on your stove and require only 3 additional ingredients.

We love to make dessert trays for the holidays. They are always loaded with cookies, brownies and cake. But we love added a small bowl of these caramelized pecans to balance everything out.

These gluten free candied pecans can be customized to be spicy, add pumpkin seasoning or cinnamon. If you are looking for a sweet and salty treat that is budget friendly and an easy recipe, make candied pecans.

You might also like Banana Pecan Bread Recipe, Air Fryer Candied Pecans, or Pecan Bread Recipe.

Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe (2)

Ingredients:

  • Pecan Halves
  • Brown Sugar
  • Salt
  • Water

How to Make Candied Pecans on Stovetop:

  • Boil Ingredients – Heat the water, brown sugar and salt in a skillet over medium heat until the mixture starts boiling and the sugar has dissolved.
Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe (3)
  • Add Pecans to Mixture – Then add in the pecan halves and cook for 3-4 minutes stirring to coat the pecans in the brown sugar glaze.
  • Place on Baking Sheet – Then move the pecans to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place them on the baking sheet in a single layer.
Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe (4)
  • Allow Pecans to Cool – Separate the pecans with a fork if needed and allow them to cool at room temperature to cool completely.
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  • Serve and Enjoy – Once they are cool, they are ready to serve and enjoy!

Caramelized Pecan Tips:

  • Melting Ingredients – When you are heating up the water, brown sugar and salt, make sure you do not let this mixture burn. Watch closely so you don’t have to start over.
  • Adding Pecans – Once the mixture has melted, add pecans immediately. Coating the pecans with the brown sugar mixture so it doesn’t burn.
  • Line Baking Sheet – Place coated pecans on a lined baking sheet. This allows you to clean up the pan easily.
  • Holiday Gifts – Make these candied pecans as holiday gifts.

Candied Pecans Variations:

  • Change the Nuts – Use other types of nuts such as walnuts, cashews, peanuts and almonds. Any of these would make a delicious substitute.
  • Sweet and Spicy Pecans.If you like spicy, add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper with the brown sugar. You can adjust this according to preference.
  • Cinnamon Pecans.Add ¼ teaspoon to the brown sugar mixture. The combination of cinnamon and sugar is so tasty.
  • Salted Caramel Pecans.While the pecans cool, top with a generous sprinkle of sea salt.
  • Pinch of Salt – While the pecans of cooling, add pinches of salt to the coated pecans.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice – If you love pumpkin flavored desserts, sprinkle some pumpkin pie spice in the mixture.
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Why are my Candied Pecans Sticky?

After your pecans have been covered in the mixture they will be slightly sticky. But as the cool they will be less sticky and easier to manage. If they are still sticky after cooling on the baking sheet, then it could be because the brown sugar mixture did not get hot enough.

The high temp is responsible for the brittle like coating on the outside the pecans should have. If they are still really sticky once cooked, continue to cook them in the skillet for a couple of extra minutes. Stoves can vary in how they cook and the heat.

After this, if you find they are still sticky, bake them for a few minutes at 325 degrees until they harden. I would start with 5 minutes and check them.

Continue to bake them in 5 minute intervals until they are no longer sticky. It should not take any longer than 15 minutes.

How to Serve Candied Pecans:

There are many ways to serve these candied pecans. They are quick to make and add so much sweet and savory flavor to many different things. These are some of our favorites:

  • Top your Salad – Combining the flavors of all the salad ingredients and then adding this sweet and crunching topping, makes the best salad.
  • Cheese Board – If you love making a cheese board or charcuterie board, add these candied pecans for added flavor.
  • Add To Cookies – If you want to jazz up your favorite chocolate chip cookie, chop up some of these candied nuts.
  • Ice Cream – Serve ice cream with candied pecans as a topping.
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How Long do Candied Pecans Last:

These candied pecans do not last long with my family. But if stored properly the pecans will last about 1 week at room temperature. If you freeze them, they will last about a month.

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Do Candied Pecans have to be Refrigerated?

Candied Pecans do not need to be refrigerated. They will last about a week longer if placed in the refrigerator in an air tight container.

How to Store:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature. These sugar pecans will last about a week if stored properly.

Print Recipe here for Candied Pecans Stovetop:

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Review

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Candied Pecans Stovetop

4.92 from 12 votes

Candied Pecans Stovetop recipe is easy to make on the stove. Melted brown sugar and salt tops the pecans for an easy snack or on your salad.

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 minutes mins

Total Time 9 minutes mins

Servings 12

Cuisine American

Course Dessert

Calories 149

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Pecan Halves
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 2 Tbsp Water

Instructions

  • Heat the water, brown sugar and salt in a skillet over medium high heat until the mixture starts boiling and the sugar has dissolved.

  • Then add in the pecan halves and cook for 3-4 minutes stirring to coat the pecans in the brown sugar glaze.

  • Then move the pecans to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Separate the pecans with a fork if needed and allow them to cool at room temperature to cool completely.

  • Once they are cool, they are ready to serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 149kcal, Carbohydrates 11g, Protein 2g, Fat 12g, Saturated Fat 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat 4g, Monounsaturated Fat 7g, Sodium 51mg, Potassium 80mg, Fiber 2g, Sugar 10g, Vitamin A 9IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 19mg, Iron 1mg

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  • Crock Pot Peanut Clusters Recipe
  • 3 Ingredient Pecan Rolo Recipe
  • Easy Cream Cheese Mints
Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe (11)

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About the Author

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Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my candied pecans soggy? ›

If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

Under-cooking the pecans is the likely cause of stickiness, but the risk is low when they're oven-baked. After the sugar-coated nuts have darkened and turned very fragrant, about 20 minutes in the oven, stir the pecans and separate any pieces that have stuck together. Continue to bake for an additional 20 minutes.

How do you make candied pecans less sticky? ›

The pecans only take a few minutes to cook. If you walk away or don't stir constantly they could burn. The nuts will be sticky at first before they cool. If the glazed pecans remain sticky after cooling, transfer the baking sheet to a 325ºF oven for 5-15 minutes, or until they harden.

How long can you keep homemade candied pecans? ›

How long will candied pecans keep? They will keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature, at least three weeks in the refrigerator, or up to two months in the freezer. No matter where you store them, keep in a tightly sealed, airtight container.

Why didn't my pecan candy harden? ›

If you beat too long, the candy will seize and start to crumble. If you don't beat it long enough, then pralines won't set properly and will stay soft and sticky. Work quickly to drop heaping tablespoons of pecan praline mixture onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Why are my candied nuts sticky? ›

If after they have cooled down, the pecans are still sticky, this means that the sugar mixture never reached a high enough temperature when on the stove. To fix them, place the nuts back into the skillet and cook a bit longer.

Why are my candied nuts grainy? ›

Either you used raw nuts, or you added them before the sugar had a chance to fully caramelize. Why is the sugar all crystallized and grainy looking? It means that the sugar has crystallized before caramelizing. Avoid stirring it before it changes its color.

Do candied pecans need to be refrigerated? ›

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Keep your candied pecans away from sources of heat and moisture. This means avoiding storing them near your stove, dishwasher, or even on top of your refrigerator. Instead, store them in a cool pantry or cupboard.

How long do homemade candied nuts last? ›

How Long Do Candied Pecans Last? Store your candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. If you give them as a gift, be sure to include storage instructions.

Why do you soak pecans in water? ›

"Essential nutrients like iron, protein, calcium, and zinc are better absorbed by the body when you soak the nuts. The water removes the phytic acid present in acids which causes indigestion. So, soaking nuts helps in digesting them properly and reaping the benefits of these nutrients.

Why are my pecans chewy? ›

Microwaving pecans can cause them to lose their freshness and flavor and may even give them a chewy texture, so it's best to let the pecans defrost on their own. Defrost the pecans right before you want to eat them or use them for cooking.

How do you get the rancid taste out of pecans? ›

Bake the nuts for 10 minutes. Halfway through the baking time, shake the pan and flip the nuts to ensure that they toast evenly. Remove the nuts from the oven and let them cool. Use the nuts in another recipe or have them as a snack!

How many cups of pecans makes one pound? ›

If you happen to have pecans in their shells, remember that 1 pound equals 3 cups shelled, about 4 cups pecan halves, and about 3 3/4 cups chopped nuts. Equivalents to know when using shelled pecans are that 1 pound equals 4 cups and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped.

Do candied nuts go bad? ›

Yes, candied nuts can go bad. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month for best results.

How many years do pecans last? ›

Keeping Pecans Fresh
TemperatureIn-Shell PecansShelled Pecans
70 degrees (pantry)4 months3 months
40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerator)9 - 18 months6 months
32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius (freezer)2 years2 years

How do you fix soggy nuts? ›

Just toasting them in a dry pan or oven should be enough to revive them, but they'll also go in any recipe that requires nuts. We got through most of ours by toasting them with spices, to eat as nibbles or to add crunch to soups, stews and salads.

How do you dry wet pecans? ›

Pecans often contain excessive moisture when they first fall. The nuts should be dried before they are put in storage. Drying can usually be accomplished by placing the pecans in a shallow layer in a warm, dry area for two weeks. Adding fans and heat can speed drying.

Why are my candied walnuts soft? ›

Candied Walnuts Recipe FAQs

These last for up to 1 week at room temperature, 2 weeks in the refrigerator, and 2 months in the freezer. Why are my candied walnuts soft? If they are soft you likely did not bake them long enough.

Why is my pecan pie still jiggly? ›

jiggle in the center when it's ready to take out of the. oven. If it's still liquid-like in the middle, it's too soon.

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