Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe (2024)

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This easy stovetop candied pecans recipe is a delicious holiday treat and made with a few simple ingredients.

The candied pecans recipe is easy to make in just a few minutes, but you’d better make more than one recipe because they will get eaten up in a flash!

The sugared pecans are the perfect gift for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season.

The Candied Pecans Recipe Are Perfect Homemade Food Gifts

Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe (1)

Candied pecans are a great snack to place on the counter around the holidays, toss on a salad, pack in a lunch for dessert, or give as gifts.

Christmas is only a few short months away, and these sugared pecans are the perfect Christmas treat, Thanksgiving treat or any day in between.

Candied Pecans On The Stovetop

I love the recipe because it’s so easy and inexpensive, and you can make it right on the stovetop.

And candied pecans with brown sugar are such a delicious treat. You can buy candied pecans, but why not make fresh and delicious ones?

Plus, you can add a different flavor each time.

If you love candied pecans, you’ll love this easy praline pecan recipe. Click and give it a try!

If you love pecans, you’ll love this pumpkin pecan pie that readers love or this pecan pie cobbler, or this slow cooker pecan pie that’s easy to bake while you’re working on other things.

Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe (2)

A Crunchy Snack Or Topping

You can also sprinkle the sugar-coated pecans on the top of sweet potato casserole, chop them up on top of a chicken dish, or add the perfect topping to a favorite summer salad.

The delicious pecans make a great crunchy snack, as well.

And you don’t have to go broke buying pecans for this recipe.

I usually buy my pecans at Aldi’s because they sell them for a great price, and you can get enough for a couple of recipes.

A Simple Recipe

The pecan recipe only took me about 15 minutes to make. The basic recipe is a quick one and won’t keep you in the kitchen too long.

The pecans cool quickly, and you have a nice gift to take to a friend or a teacher, or you can snack on them without sharing any (wink wink).

These aren’t quite as sweet as other candied pecans. I only used brown sugar and eliminated white sugar. But, they are oh-so-delicious with a deeper flavor.

What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Candied Pecans?

  • Pecans
  • Butter
  • Light brown sugar

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions at the bottom of the post

Tools Needed To Make The Sweet Treat

  • Saucepan
  • Spatula
  • Stovetop
  • Parchment paper
  • Container to hold the cooled pecans

How To Make Candied Pecans

  1. Add butter to a saucepan and let it melt.
  2. Next, add the pecans to the saucepan and stir them around until they are covered with melted butter.
  3. Add the brown sugar and stir until all of the pecans are covered.
  4. Bring the ingredients to a boil and cook for a few minutes until the pecans begin caramelizing.
  5. Spread them out on parchment paper to cool. They will harden as they cool but still be a bit sticky.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe (4)

Add half a stick of butter to a non-stick skillet or saucepan and let it melt on medium-high heat.

Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe (5)

Add two cups of pecans.

Stir the pecans in the butter until they are covered. I think pecans with butter would be a delicious treat.

Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe (6)

Add four tablespoons of brown sugar.

I love the taste of brown sugar. It has a deeper flavor than white sugar and adds so much flavor to candied foods.

Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe (7)

Let the pecans cook in the brown sugar and butter until caramelized.

Take it off the stove and pour the pecans on a piece of parchment paper to cool. The pecans will harden as they cool.

And that’s it – they are such an easy dessert.

Optional Ingredients

  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Sea salt
  • Dark brown sugar
  • Coconut sugar
  • Chili powder
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Maple syrup

You can add some cinnamon to the brown sugar-coated pecans for a more festive fall flavor.

Other Pecan Desserts

  • Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
  • Pecan Pie Brownies
  • Chocolate Pecan Pie
  • Praline Pecan Banana Cake
  • Take to holiday and Christmas parties
  • Add to Thanksgiving snack tables
  • Give as holiday gifts for teachers and neighbors
  • Bring to music and academic tutors
  • Take to the office to share in the break room
  • Bring the sugared pecans to the kid’s school

Ways To Use The Candied Pecans

  • Top some ice cream
  • Add to a salad
  • Stir into a brownie mix
  • Add to a bowl for a snack mix
  • Put in a lunchbox for an afternoon snack
  • Add to the top of pumpkin pie
  • Top some green beans, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes
  • Add to cheese boards

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Candied Pecans Need To Be Refrigerated?

No, but they do need to be kept in an airtight container. They will last up to about two weeks if you keep them sealed.

Why Are My Candied Pecans Sticky?

The candied pecans most likely needed to cook a bit longer.

Easy Stove Top Candied Pecans Recipe

Be sure to get the recipe for the easy candied pecans recipe below.

The recipe creates a delicious snack that the whole family will love.

If this is your first time making the pecans stovetop recipe, you will be hooked. It’s a great recipe.

Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe (9)
Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe (10)

Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans

Yield: 2 cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Rest Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans are a delicious holiday treat. The candied pecans recipe is easy to make in just a few minutes, but you'd better make more than one recipe because they will get eaten up in a flash!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pecan halves
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 4 Tablespoons light brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Melt butter on medium-high heat.
  2. Add pecans and toss until covered with butter.
  3. Next, add brown sugar and toss pecans until coated.
  4. Bring to a boil and cook until pecans start to caramelize.
  5. Spread on parchment paper to cool.

Notes

You can double the recipe if you are giving the candied pecans away as gifts. The big batch is easy to make and is the perfect snack.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 503Total Fat: 49gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 36gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 94mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 5gSugar: 13gProtein: 5g

Nutrition is approximate.

Did you make this recipe?

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Find more recipes atSouthern Home Express

Julie Pollitt( Blogger Behind Back To My Southern Roots )

Hi there! I’m Julie Pollitt from ‘Back To My Southern Roots.’ My love for cooking started way back on my grandparents’ farm in Tennessee. Those sunny days, the smell of biscuits in the oven, and all the family fun really sparked my passion for cooking. On my blog, I share more than just recipes – they’re like stories from my life, full of Southern warmth and homey goodness. The best part? Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a kitchen pro, you’ll find my recipes super easy to whip up. So, come on, pull up a chair, and let’s make some delicious memories!

Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my candied pecans soft on the stove? ›

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.

Why are my candied pecans grainy? ›

Either you used raw nuts, or you added them before the sugar had a chance to fully caramelize. Why is the sugar all crystallized and grainy looking? It means that the sugar has crystallized before caramelizing.

Why are my candied pecans sticky? ›

If after they have cooled down, the pecans are still sticky, this means that the sugar mixture never reached a high enough temperature when on the stove. To fix them, place the nuts back into the skillet and cook a bit longer.

Why won't my candied nuts dry? ›

Tips for making Candied Pecans

If your nuts don't harden fully, that means the sugar wasn't cooked long enough and didn't caramelize. Cook the nuts longer next time!

Can you boil pecans to make them soft? ›

A final way to crack open pecans is to soften the shells first. Fill a saucepan with water and turn your stovetop to high. Wait until the water boils. Then, bring the boil to a simmer by slightly turning down the heat.

Why didn't my pecan candy harden? ›

If you beat too long, the candy will seize and start to crumble. If you don't beat it long enough, then pralines won't set properly and will stay soft and sticky. Work quickly to drop heaping tablespoons of pecan praline mixture onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Why is my pecan candy not hardening? ›

Pralines won't harden up? Similar to the answer above, it has something to do with not reaching the correct temperature. Or maybe it's a rainy day.

What is the bitter stuff in pecans? ›

Pecans have two sources of bitterness -- naturally occurring tannins in the kernel and pieces of corky material from the inside of the nut which can adhere to the kernel. Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking.

Can dogs eat pecans? ›

Why are pecans bad for dogs? 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.

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 long does it take to toast nuts on the stove? ›

Stovetop method: Place the nuts in a dry skillet (no oil) over medium heat. Heat, shaking the pan and stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the nuts are fragrant and golden brown or one shade darker, about 3 minutes for pine nuts and 4 to 5 minutes for harder nuts like pecans, walnuts and almonds.

Why do you soak pecans in water? ›

"Essential nutrients like iron, protein, calcium, and zinc are better absorbed by the body when you soak the nuts. The water removes the phytic acid present in acids which causes indigestion. So, soaking nuts helps in digesting them properly and reaping the benefits of these nutrients.

What is the difference between candied pecans and praline pecans? ›

Praline pecans are just one variety of candied pecans. These pecans have a tasty coating or glaze and are also referred to as flavored pecans.

How many cups is 1 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.

Why are my candied nuts soft? ›

Usually if the almonds are soft after candying it means that they weren't cooked for long enough. However, this recipe cooks all of the water out of the sugar syrup and then takes it a step further where the the sugar then re-caramelizes allowing the almonds to harden.

What if candied nuts are too soft? ›

If your candied pecans are soft, it is likely because the sugar syrup coating has not completely hardened. The syrup may still be wet, or it may have started to crystalize. If the syrup is still wet, you can try putting the nuts in the oven for a few minutes to help the syrup harden.

Why are my candied walnuts soft? ›

Candied Walnuts Recipe FAQs

These last for up to 1 week at room temperature, 2 weeks in the refrigerator, and 2 months in the freezer. Why are my candied walnuts soft? If they are soft you likely did not bake them long enough.

Why didn't my pecan pie solidify? ›

Here's the thing to remember: If you're filling hasn't set, it means the bottom of the pie crust isn't fully cooked, either. You can prevent the outer crust from further darkening (or even burning) by covering it with aluminum foil or -- more attractively -- with what's known as a pie ring or shield.

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