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Easy Candied Pecans

Easy candied pecans baked low and slow until glossy, crackly, and crunchy. Cinnamon sugar coats every pecan for a crisp bite that cools into a dry crunch.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Candied pecans
  • 1 lb pecan halves Use halves for even coating and baking.
  • 1 egg white Large egg white only; saves time and helps the sugar adhere.
  • 1 tbsp water Helps thin the egg white for an even coat.
  • 1 cup sugar Base for the cinnamon-sugar coating.
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon Adds the warm, classic candy flavor.
  • 0.5 tsp salt Balances sweetness and boosts flavor.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract Adds roundness to the coating.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and coat
  1. Preheat oven to 250F and line a sheet pan with parchment for easy release and fast cleanup.
  2. Whisk egg white, water, and vanilla extract until frothy so the coating clings to the nuts.
  3. Toss pecan halves in the egg white mixture until evenly coated with a light, wet sheen.
  4. Mix sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt, then toss with the pecans until every piece looks evenly dusted.
Bake for crunch
  1. Spread the pecans in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan so they bake evenly without steaming.
  2. Bake for 1 hour at 250F, stirring every 15 minutes for a uniform glossy coating.
Cool and store
  1. Cool completely on the pan until crunchy, then break apart into clusters for the final crisp texture.
  2. Store airtight at room temperature to keep the candied pecans crisp.

Notes

Pro tip: Keep the pecans in a single layer and stir every 15 minutes so the sugar forms an even crackly shell instead of patches. Store airtight for up to 2 weeks at room temperature; refrigerate up to 1 week if your kitchen is warm. Freezing works—freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature to re-crisp. For a lower-sugar swap, use a 1:1 baking sweetener blend designed to caramelize (follow package guidance).