Cinnamon Sugar Candied Pecans

Name: Cinnamon Sugar Candied Pecans
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 17 min
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon; ⅛ teaspoon salt; ½ cup water; 2 cups pecan halves; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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These homemade Cinnamon Sugar Candied Pecans are made on the stovetop with only a handful of pantry staples (pecan halves, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and a dash of salt)! So easy to make and taste so much better than anything you could buy. These pecans are great as a snack, shared as a gift, or just whenever you want something sweet!

This recipe was originally published in 2018.

candied pecans in white mug with fairy lights, cinnamon sticks, and more pecans scattered around

See What Our Readers Have To Say!

Tried this recipe the night before thanksgiving and everyone loved them super easy and quick! I will be using this recipe again thanks 😊

Amanda S.

Crazmazing!!! They taste better than ones you buy from the mall kiosk during the holidays!!!

Dominique

Thank you so much for this recipe! They’re delicious!

Michelle

My mom and I have been making these candied pecans for years, and they’re hands down one of our all-time favorite recipes! The sweet, crunchy coating and warm cinnamon flavor make them irresistible. Whether we’re sharing them as gifts during the holiday season or just snacking on them, these candied pecans are a real family favorite.

Not to mention, the recipe is naturally gluten free AND vegan. So, if you or anyone you know has diet restrictions, these will be a great sweet snack to have on hand!

Let’s Be Friends ♡

You Only Need 6 Ingredients!

Granulated Sugar – Provides the essential sweetness for the candied pecans. It caramelizes during the baking process, creating a crunchy, sweet coating.
Cinnamon – Adds a warm, slightly spicy flavor that complements the sweetness of the sugar and the rich nuttiness of the pecans.
Salt – Balances the sweetness of the sugar and enhances the overall flavor of the pecans.
Water – Helps the sugar, cinnamon, and salt mixture dissolve and adhere to the pecans.
Pecan Halves – Pecans are the star of this recipe! Their rich, buttery flavor is the perfect base for the sweet and spiced coating.
Vanilla Extract – Adding a subtle depth of flavor, vanilla extract rounds out the flavor profile and complements the other ingredients perfectly.

ingredients for candied pecans on marble surface with text overlay.

⊹ A Quick Tip! ⊹

Not a fan of pecans? you can use almost any nut in this recipe. Almonds, walnuts, or cashews all work well! You can even use a mix of your favorite nuts.

Ingredient Notes:

Pecans: For this recipe, you will need raw (not roasted or salted) pecan halves.

Spices: If you’re looking for something with a more complex flavor, try your favorite baking spice blend! We love this recipe with apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice in the Fall and Winter months.

How To Make Cinnamon Sugar Candied Pecans (In A Few Simple Steps!)

One of my absolute favorite things about this recipe is how easy it actually is to make. There’s no need to turn on your oven or grab specialty equipment. You just need a saucepan and a wooden spoon! Simply combine the sugar, cinnamon, salt, and water in your saucepan. Bring to a boil before reducing the heat and letting it cook for about 2 minutes.

Now, add your pecans and stir continually until the pecans begin to crystalize. When testing this recipe, we found it takes about 10 minutes over medium heat! Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

candied pecans in pot on marble counter.

Turn out onto a sheet pan and allow to cool!

A Few Success Tips We’ve Learned

Tip 1: Use a pan bigger than you think you need! When cooking the cinnamon syrup, it will bubble up quite a bit and if your pan’s walls aren’t tall enough, the syrup may boil over.

Tip 2: Don’t use frozen pecans! If frozen pecans are added to the hot syrup, it may cause the mixture to seize and crystallize (but not onto the pecans!).

Tip 3: When you turn the pecans out to cool, use a fork to separate the clusters! This way, you have individual pecans rather than big chunks.

✳ Recipe FAQ’s

While the two may seem similar, they are actually very different desserts! Pecan pralines are a delicious treat that have pecans coated in a sweet, creamy, caramel-like coating. Candied pecans, such as this recipe, are coated in a crunchy sugar coating typically flavored with cinnamon.

If you’ve found that your pecans are sticky after cooking, this is typically caused by not allowing the pecans to fully crystalize before taking them off the heat. There needs to be no more liquid left in your pan when you turn the pecans out to cool.

Once you’ve made these pecans, keep them in an airtight container on the kitchen counter for 1-2 weeks.

Our Favorite Ways To Enjoy These Cinnamon Sugar Candied Pecans

On their own: These pecans are so good that they are the perfect snack for any and all occasions!
In salads: Looking for a way to jazz up your salads? Toss in a handful of these sweet pecans into your favorite salad or our Fall Harvest Salad to add a delicious oomph of flavor!
On top of casseroles: If you’re looking for a sweet topping for…let’s say, Sweet Potato Casserole during the holidays, these are the perfection addition!
Alongside your favorite breakfast: Yogurt, pancakes, waffles… doesn’t matter! These pecans add a delicious crunch to whatever sweet breakfast you may be serving.
Stirred into ice cream: Oh, yes. These pecans turn the Classic Vanilla Ice Cream into something truly stunning!

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When you make this Cinnamon Sugar Candied Pecans, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.

Happy baking!
x, Caylie

4.47 from 15 votes