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.

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Review

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Candied Pecans Stovetop

4.93 from 13 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

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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  • Easy Cream Cheese Mints
Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe (11)

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About the Author

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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? ›

Why are my candied pecans soft and sticky? 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? ›

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.

Are praline pecans the same as glazed pecans? ›

A: Glazed pecans have a rough sugary coated appearance and use about twice the amount of sugar as our praline pecan with no flavor added. The praline pecan has a smooth shiny appearance, with half the sugar of the glazed pecan and praline pecan flavor is added.

How many cups is one pound of pecans? ›

Measurements and Substitutions

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.

How many pecans does it take to make 1 lb? ›

For a pound of nutmeat, you will need 2½ pounds of in-shell pecans. In order to help you maintain the highest quality pecan meats, we have developed the following guide to help you understand the best way to handle and store your pecans.

How long to soak pecans before eating? ›

Preparation:
  1. Place the pecans and salt in a large glass or stainless steel bowl along with 8 cups of water. The pecans will swell during the soaking process, so you want enough water to keep them covered.
  2. Leave them on the counter to soak for 4-8 hours. ...
  3. After they are done soaking, drain and rinse in a colander.

Why do you boil pecans before cracking? ›

Boiling pecans before cracking them can actually help prevent the shell from shattering.

Why do you soak pecans before roasting? ›

Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

Can dogs have pecans? ›

These nuts are toxic for dogs. Eating them can result in pets becoming sick and needing immediate veterinary care. “The reason pecans are considered toxic is that they contain a compound called juglone, also found in walnuts, that is harmful to dogs,” advises Dr.

Is pecan candy good for you? ›

Pecans by themselves, or when made into the tastiest pecan candy treats feeds our healthy skin, acts as a stress reducer, and is an anti-aging tool with all of its vitamins and minerals.

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 pecans? ›

To make things a little more confusing, pecan trees come in type 1 and type 2 varieties, where their pollinating and receptivity are reversed from one another. Type 1 trees produce pollen and then have receptive female flowers. Type 2 trees are going to have receptive flowers first and then produce pollen.

Why are my pecan pralines gritty? ›

Avoid The Humidity

Plan to make your pralines on a cool, dry day. If it's humid or rainy, as it was the first time I made pralines, the candy might end up with a more sugary, grainy texture.

Are pecans good for you? ›

Raw pecans pack a 1-2-3 punch of protein, healthy fats, and fiber that can help keep you energized and satisfied. Pecans are a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which help lower blood pressure. Most of the fat found in pecans is a healthy type called monounsaturated fat.

How much pecan flour does 1 cup of pecans make? ›

But with a food processor and ten minutes of time, you can make your own flour substitute for much cheaper and have the option to make it as fine or as course as you would like it to be. This recipe is for a one to one ration, meaning if you processes one cup of pecan meal, you will be left with one cup of pecan flour.

How many cups of pecans are in a 2 pound bag? ›

With over 8 cups of Pecan Halves in each 2 lbs bag and a minimum of 2 years shelf life, you can rest assured that you and your family will be enjoying tasty pecans for a long time.

Why are my pecans mushy? ›

Humidity above these values can cause kernel molding and pecan texture deterioration (pecans become soft and rubber-like), whereas lower humidities will cause excessive drying. In-shell pecan kernels will darken under high humidity as a result of the tannic acid being dissolved from the shell lining.

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 keep pecan pie from getting soggy? ›

5 Ways to Prevent Soggy Pie Crust
  1. Blind Bake. The most common way to ward off a soggy pie crust is by a process called blind baking. ...
  2. Brush With Egg. ...
  3. Brush With Chocolate. ...
  4. Bake on a Hot Baking Sheet. ...
  5. Keep Moisture Out.
May 1, 2019

Why is my pecan pie mushy? ›

Imagine, you want to surprise your family with a homemade pecan pie, only to find the slices won't hold. The center jiggles more than it's supposed to. Why didn't the filling set properly? If your pecan pie is still a little soupy, it simply means you need to bake it more.

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