Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Stove top candied pecans are super easy to make, using only 4 ingredients and done in under 10 minutes. Great added to salads or given as a gift!

Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (1)

Original recipe: January 2019 | Updated: December 2019

One of my food specialties is making unique and tasty salads that have that extra little touch of delicious perfection. One of my salad secrets is adding chopped Candied Pecans. It gets people every time!

Making candied pecans takes an extra 10ish minutes, but it is well worth that little bit of effort. They transform a great salad into an out-of-this-world salad. Trust me!

Candied Pecans are also an irresistible snack to have sitting on the counter during holiday gatherings or for any party. Try not to eat them all yourself!

And last but not least they are great gifts, especially around the holidays. Everyone loves a delicious homemade gift, right?

HOW TO MAKE STOVE TOP CANDIED PECANS

Add these sugar coated pecans to your list of easy recipes that make a regular recipe turn out to be excellent!

STEP 1

Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sugar and pecan halves and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and becomes a light brown liquid in the skillet (approximately 5 minutes).

Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (2)

STEP 2

Remove from the heat and add the vanilla to the sugar mixtures; mix well.

Pour the pecans onto the lined baking sheet in a single layer. Let cool for a minimum of 5 minutes.

Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (3)

Chop to use in a salad or add the pecans to a serving dish for snacking!

HOW LONG DO CANDIED PECANS KEEP

When stored in an airtight container, candied pecans will last up to 2 weeks at room temperature, 4 weeks in the fridge or 4 months in the freezer.

HOW TO STORE YOUR PECANS

Once they’ve cooled, candied pecans are ready for storing. Make sure they are sealed tightly in either a plastic or glass container.

WHAT TO DO WITH STOVE TOP CANDIED PECANS

Add Candied Pecans to any or all of these delicious recipes, plus so many more!

Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (4)

OTHER HOMEMADE GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

A perfect gift that’s affordable and thoughtful is a homemade one! Here’s some great DIY gifts that can be easily made to giveaway.We’ve got something for everyone!

  • Homemade Chocolate Fudge Sauce – You’ll enjoy spoonfuls of this gooey homemade chocolate fudge sauce perfect for summer treats!

  • Salted Caramel Sauce – There’s just 4 ingredients needed to make your own salted caramel sauce. Top or fill your next batch of baked goods with this delicious, irresistible sauce.

  • Exfoliating Coffee Scrub – Make your own face scrub at home in minutes! This DIY recipe is the perfect any-occasion gift made with coffee and coconut oil.

  • Homemade Vanilla Extract – Make your own Vanilla Extract at home! This recipe requires only TWO ingredients and you will be so happy with the way homemade vanilla flavors your baked goods.

  • Homemade Caramels are my FAVORITE. They are chewy and gooey and sooo delicious. You won’t want to eat just one but they make a perfect treat for holiday parties OR holiday gifts!

  • Everything But The Bagel Seasoning – Make Trader Joe’s famous “Everything But the Bagel” seasoning blend at home in less than 5 minutes and for a fraction of the cost of store bought!

Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (5)

Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (6)

Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe

Candied Pecans are super easy to make on the stove top with only 4 ingredients and in less than 10 minutes. Great when added to salads and also great for snacking or to give as gifts!

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 7 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 173kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp salted butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups pecans
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sugar
    and pecans and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and
    becomes a light brown liquid in the skillet (approximately 5 minutes).

  • Remove from the heat and add the vanilla; mix well. Pour the pecans onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Let cool for a minimum of 5 minutes. Chop to use in a salad or add the pecans to a serving dish for snacking!

Notes

  • Topping on a bowl of ice cream with some homemade hot fudge!
  • Healthy Lunch Bowl
  • Grape Pecan Summer Salad
  • Chopped Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
  • Break them apart and add them to a mason jar with a fun ribbon tied around the rim to give as a gift!
  • Add to the top of a pumpkin pie or as the final touch on your skillet chocolate chip cookie!

Nutrition

Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (7)Winston millican

    Thank you for promoting pecans!

    Reply

  2. Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (8)CinR

    Have you tried these using brown sugar? Would you use the same amount as the white sugar?

    Reply

    • Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (9)Megan Porta

      CinR: Brown sugar tastes incredible with these! Yep, same amount. Enjoy!
      Megan

      Reply

  3. Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (10)Gaylegrey

    These are amazing!! Toffee like coating- delish!

    Reply

  4. Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (11)Linda

    You are making me hungry. These look so good. I'll have to try them.

    Reply

  5. Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (12)Joss

    Looks perfect! As you can see, I am hooked on your blog. Love these nuts!

    Reply

  6. Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (13)Parsley Sage

    Its official. You can make anything naughty.

    DELICIOUS!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my candied pecans so sticky? ›

The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts. How do you fix candied nuts that are too soft and sticky? You can place them back into the oven for 5 to 15 minutes or until they dry out more. They will continue to firm and dry out as they cool.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

After 45 minutes, remove them from the oven and let them rest. You can remove the pecans to a baking sheet to cool faster if you like. Stir them every 10 minutes or so to avoid them clumping together, or you can just break them apart with a spatula or your hands later. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Should candied pecans be refrigerated? ›

To Store: Candied nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for several weeks. To Freeze: They freeze well in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

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.

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 to make candied nuts less sticky? ›

The pecans only take a few minutes to cook. If you walk away or don't stir constantly they could burn. The nuts will be sticky at first before they cool. If the glazed pecans remain sticky after cooling, transfer the baking sheet to a 325ºF oven for 5-15 minutes, or until they harden.

Why do you boil pecans before cracking? ›

The first step is to place them in a pot and cover them with water. Boil for about 10 minutes, drain them in a colander, and let them cool enough to handle. Boiling them first will soften the shell, making them easier to crack. The moisture will also reduce the mess by preventing so many tiny shell fragments.

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.

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.

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.

Do candied pecans go bad? ›

If you don't plan on eating your candied pecans right away, you may want to consider storing them in the refrigerator or freezer. Refrigeration can keep the pecans fresh for up to three months, while freezing can extend their shelf life for up to six months.

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 do you get the bitterness out of pecans? ›

Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking. To "sweeten" the pecan meats (kernels), simply put the pecan kernels in a bowl and fill with lukewarm water. Stir and tumble the meats in the water for several minutes and you will see the discoloration in the water.

What happens if you don't soak nuts? ›

It is true that nuts contain phytic acid, or phytates, which can bind with minerals, making them unavailable to the body. But while soaking nuts in salted water may reduce phytic acid levels, the amount of phytates in nuts is too small to cause a mineral deficiency in either children or adults.

How to activate pecans? ›

How to activate your nuts…
  1. Dissolve salt in enough water to cover the amount of nuts/seeds you are activating.
  2. In a large bowl place your nut or seed of choice.
  3. Cover with the salt water solution.
  4. Soak for the required number of hours.
  5. Strain and rinse the nuts.
  6. Spread over a dehydrator rack, or baking tray.
May 12, 2020

Why is my pecan pie gooey? ›

Because it was not baked at a high enough temperature, the butter in the crust begins to melt into the dough. To avoid this, always start your pecan pie at a high enough temperature, such as 425 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why is my pecan tree sticky? ›

Both species have piercing mouth parts that suck nutrients and water from the veins of the leaves. As they feed, they excrete the excess sugars. This sweet excrement is called honeydew and it collects in a sticky mess on the foliage of the pecan.

Why does my pecan pie always stick? ›

It may be the type of pie you are baking. If you pre-bake the pie crust, poke holes in it, bake, then add the filling. However, if you are baking a pie with filling (pecan, pumpkin or blue- or blackberry), do not poke the shell with a fork. Doing so will let sticky liquid seep through and will cause the crust to stick.

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.

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