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These two-ingredient Stovetop Candied Pecans are so simple to make! A batch of vegan candied pecans are perfect for salad, snacking, and holiday gifts.

A glass bowl of stovetop candied pecans
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Candied pecans are freaking delicious and so versatile. We put them in salads, I’ve seen them used to top sweet potato casserole, and let’s be honest, they’re super tasty to snack on.

These stovetop candied pecans are not the same as pralines. They’re not coated in a shiny sugar syrup, and they don’t use any butter, egg whites, or oil. You only need just two simple ingredients to make these vegan candied pecans – pecans and sugar.

From the outside, candied nuts look like something where one would need special equipment or culinary training. After all, the price they command in the store is outrageous. But you only need a skillet, and a baking sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper.

4 process shots showing how to make candied nuts

Should Candied Pecans Be Refrigerated?

Nope! On top of candied pecans being super easy to make, they also store for months in an air-tight container at room temperature. That way you’ll be ready to throw a handful onto Croissant Bread Pudding, Banana French Toast, a Vegetarian Cheese Board, or Kale Chopped Salad without having to do any prep.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

  • Works great with other nuts like walnuts, peanuts, cashews, etc.
  • I have used both regular sugar and brown sugar. Never run out of brown sugar again once you know how to make brown sugar in 5 minutes at home.
  • Try a splash of homemade vanilla extract for vanilla candied nuts.
  • Add 1 tsp of cinnamon or a dash of cayenne when melting the sugar for a different flavor.
  • Sprinkle with flaky finishing salt (I use Maldon) for a sweet and salty combo.
  • Avoid doubling the recipe as you need to give the pecans space in the pan for lots of stirring to prevent burning.
  • Save leftover raw pecans to use in our Pecan Rolls.

A glass bowl of stovetop candied pecans

Other Easy DIY Ingredients

5 from 13 ratings

Stovetop Candied Pecans

Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
A glass bowl of stovetop candied pecans
Two-ingredient easy stovetop candied pecans are so simple to make!

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup pecans
  • 3 tbsp sugar

Instructions 

  • Heat a large frying pan/skillet over medium-low heat. Add sugar and wait. Patiently.
    3 tbsp sugar
  • The sugar will slowly start to melt and caramelize.
  • Add the nuts, and stir to combine. Stir often to keep the sugar from burning and to distribute it evenly.
    1 cup pecans
  • Pour the candied nuts on a piece of parchment or waxed paper until cooled.

Notes

Store them in an airtight container, and they’ll keep for months.
 
If your pan has any sugar residue left on it, add some water to the skillet, and turn the heat on low. It will dissolve in minutes.
 
You can use any type of nuts if pecans aren’t your jam.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cupsCalories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgPotassium: 101mgFiber: 2gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 0.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
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24 Comments

  1. Are the good for snacking? Not too hard?
    When do I add salt and do I use table salt or corse salt.
    Thanks, I want to make for sister tomorrow
    Sam

    1. Definitely great for snacking! I would lay them on a piece of parchment and immediately sprinkle with coarse salt. I would not use table salt since it can be really easy to overdo it with fine salt.