How to Make Candied Pecans – just 3 ingredients! (paleo, vegan)
These homemade candied pecans only have three ingredients, take 5 minutes to make, and are naturally paleo and vegan!
These homemade candied pecans are the perfect way to top off your autumnal treats! They taste and look great. They’d be perfect on these pumpkin cupcakes, maple cheesecakes or this vegan pumpkin pie.
But beware! You can’t put these candied pecans on your treats too far in advance. The maple syrup coating will liquefy, and you’ll have a puddle of maple syrup under the pecans.
It’s really best to put them on right before serving. That way, you can be sure there won’t be any issues!
I also have this candied almonds recipe if you need something that won’t liquefy as easily. Be warned that they are extremely addictive. Like, eat the entire batch at once and then be really sad about it.
These candied pecans are perhaps a bit less addictive because of the lack of additional coconut sugar found in the candied almonds recipe. The almonds have a lot less sugar than regular candied nut recipes, but these candied pecans have even less sweetener.
There’s just enough maple syrup to coat them.
One thing I really love about these is how insanely quick they are. Put the pecans, maple syrup, vanilla and salt in the pan and cook for a few minutes. Done!
If you’d like, you can add some cinnamon or other spices to this candied pecans recipe. Or check out these Cinnamon Sugar Pecans. I think a little goes a long way!
There isn’t much to say about these because the recipe has so few ingredients and steps.
I put these candied pecans in little bags and give them out as Christmas gifts. I’m also going to try these Soft Chewy Caramels this year! And these Spiced Pecans look great as a savory option.
I’ve only tried this recipe with maple syrup, and I’m not too hopeful that anything else would work the same way. I’m guessing honey would, but I haven’t tried it.
I have absolutely no idea when it comes to liquid low-carb sweeteners. I think that if it doesn’t caramelize like sugar (or like maple syrup), then it wouldn’t work here.
I haven’t tried it, but you can probably use whatever type of nut you’d like. Walnuts definitely work and are delicious.
If you try these out, I’d love to hear what you think!
How to Make Candied Pecans – just 3 ingredients! (paleo, vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (165 grams) pecans see notes
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 1/8 teaspoon salt plus up to 1/8 teaspoon more
Instructions
- Get out a Silpat or a piece of parchment or wax paper.
- Preheat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. It’s important to preheat it first so that the maple syrup caramelizes properly.
- Add the pecans, maple syrup, vanilla and 1/8 teaspoon salt to the pan.
- Stirring almost constantly, cook for 2-5 minutes or until the syrup has caramelized. There should be no liquid left in the pan. The maple syrup coating will seem soft but will harden as it cools.
- Spoon the pecans evenly onto the Silpat and spread. Test one now (making sure that the maple coating isn’t so hot that you burn your tongue!) and if it’s not salty enough, add more salt. If you don’t want the nuts to be clumped together after cooling, make sure to separate them now.
- These harden within about 20-30 minutes but let them cool for about 2 hours before placing them in an airtight container. When not kept in an airtight container, they start to get a little sweaty. Can be kept at room temperature for several weeks.
Notes
- If you want to use these as a topping for a cake, cupcakes, etc., chop the nuts before candying.
- The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator. This nutrition information is calculated based on a serving size of 1/4 cup (30 grams).
If adding a spice eg cinnamon, how much would you use and when would you add it. (I’m thinking 1 tsp? adding just before putting on parchment?) Thank you
Hi! Sorry for just now seeing your question. I sprinkle it over the nuts when they’re almost done cooking to make sure it gets well combined with the nuts. I would start with 1/2 tsp, carefully taste, and add more, if desired. I always just eyeball it. I hope you’ll enjoy them! :)
These were perfect as a topping for our pumpkin cheesecake! I also used your recipe for that and got rave reviews. So easy, too. Thanks!
Oooh, that’s awesome to hear! I’m so glad that you enjoyed both recipes. Thanks for letting me know and and happy Thanksgiving! :)
I made these with my granddaughter and we had lots of fun. Even more fun eating them. Haha. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Haha. Love that! You’re welcome for the recipe and thank you for your comment. Happy Thanksgiving! :)
I used these for a salad but ate most of them as is. They’re too good for a salad! I had a hard time not eating the whole batch.
I have that same issue, too! They’re so additive. Thanks for your comment and happy Thanksgiving! :)
These pecans were soooo good! Love that they use maple and not regular sugar. Even my kids who hate nuts loved these. A+!
That’s great that even your kids liked them! That’s always a great feeling. :) Thanks for your feedback and happy Thanksgiving!
Great recipe … I make these but in a dehydrator and it works beautifully…. Add orange zest and a little tamari for balance .. delicious!
Ooh, that sounds wonderful! I would love to try this. How does it work? Does the maple actually stay on the nuts? How long and how high do you do them for? Thanks so much for the feedback!
Soooooo yummy!!!!
I can’t stop eating them. ????
Yay! Glad to hear that! Thanks for your feedback. :)
These are yuuuuumy! I added a little cinnamon. Thank you so much for sharing this super easy and delicious recipe!
You’re welcome! I’m really glad to hear that you enjoyed them. :) They sure are yummy with cinnamon! Thanks a ton for your feedback.
Can’t wait to try these. I can still eat pecans, fortunately!!
Yay! So glad you can still have pecans! I’d love to hear how they come out. :)
I often find candied pecans too sweet so love that you have used minimal sweetener in these. Such a delicious treat for the festive season!
I totally agree!
I love that these are so easy to make & they would be amazing on a spinach salad!
Oooh! Great idea! :)
Candied pecans are my favorite! Never knew how easy they were to make at home. I could eat a whole batch in one sitting.
It’s definitely easy to do! ;)
Yummy! Easy to make. Taste great!
I’m glad you enjoyed them! :)
These would be such a special treat for my kids. We always soak and dehydrate our nuts first because our bellies digest them better, so I think I can just proceed with the recipe after that. I look forward to making these. My boys will flip. Also, I LOVE that you didn’t make these super sweet, perfect for our family! Thanks and excited to make them!
You’re welcome! I’m glad that they work for your family. :) I used to soak our nuts but now that my son can’t have them, I’m too lazy to do that just for me. :/
What could I use instead of the maple?
Sorry for my slow reply! Hopefully you found the answer in the post. :) I’ve only tried this recipe with maple syrup and I’m not too hopeful that anything else would work the same way. I’m guessing honey would but I haven’t tried it.
Hi.My first time visiting your site.Seems to be informative.All live these nuts.Much cheaper than $6.99 and up.Edpecislly, this time of year.Who does have maple syrup.Woulf u or anyone recommend making your own food dehydrator the same way? Or do you think honey would be more effective? If we used honey, would the recipe be the same, and would the outcome be the way? Wanted to try orange blossom or with vanilla?Maybe, you should challenge your readers to try to come up with a seasonal recipe using the fruit in season and a holiday themed fruit colored table dessert/dessert/gift? Exple, something with figs ,pecans and white peaches.Fruit in their area? Hi just an idea?Thanks for reading my suggestion.
I don’t think a food dehydrator would work because the temperature is so low and the maple syrup would just sit in a puddle under the pecans. Like I mentioned in the post, I’m guessing honey would but I haven’t tried it. It’s an interesting idea to challenge my readers but it seems like very few are interactive like that. It sounds fun, though! Thanks for your comment. :)
YUMMY! These look so good.
Thanks! :)
I will be making this!
I’d love to hear how they came out! :)
I have a friend who has made these for me but she used dash of soy sauce to make them salty. I even like the ones she burnt.
Oh, interesting! Sounds like a yummy addition. :)
Could I do this with almonds
Sorry for my slow reply! Hopefully you found the answer in the post. :) I haven’t tried it but you can probably use whatever type of nut you’d like.