For the LONGEST time, I scoured the internet for a crunchy nut recipe. I finally found a technique that works and put my own spin on it. The best part? This recipe for these crunchy candied pecans is SO easy and quick. They taste twice as good as the nut vendors you come across in fairs or new cities. These candied pecans are going to be your new go-to this holiday season.
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What makes these candied pecans crunchy?
I have tried and failed all the stovetop methods for candied nuts. I always end up burning my nuts because I have a terrible habit of taking my eyes off the stove too long, or I just get hard, sugar-glazed nuts that break your teeth. I finally discovered a technique that is oven-baked, crunchy, and completely addicting. The secret? An egg white. I know right? It sounds a little odd, but by whipping an egg white with a bit of water, you are actually able to create the perfect coating for your nuts to provide that candied crunch that WON’T break your teeth. I love this recipe because it takes less than 5 minutes to whip up and less than 40 minutes in the oven.
The next secret to these crunchy candied pecans is the temperature of the oven. For this recipe, low and slow is the way to go. An oven heated to 300 F will slowly roast your nuts into the most delectable crunchy bites your mouth has ever tasted. They take anywhere from 30-40 minutes in the oven. It truly depends on the oven and how big your egg white was.
What do I need to make these pecans?
Besides an egg white and water, you will need pecans, brown and white sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and a bit of salt to balance it all out. The ingredient list for these candied pecans is super simple, but a few substitutions can be made. If you do not have pecans, I would recommend almonds, hazelnuts, or even cashews. If you are trying to cut back on sugar, try coconut sugar instead. You can easily reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe. However, these nuts were made to be candied.
Why should I make these candied pecans?
Well, first of all, these nuts are PERFECT for entertaining a crowd. I can’t even count the number of times I have served these when I am entertaining. People go crazy over this recipe and are always asking how I made them so crunchy! Little do they know, they take less than 10 minutes of my devotion and attention. Just serve them in a cute bowl, easy and accessible on the table. Another way I love to use these candied pecans is to top my oatmeal bowls! I always top my gingerbread oatmeal bowl with these candied pecans.
The last perk to making these candied pecans is that your house will seriously smell amazing. When you walk by a nut stand at a fair or on the streets, your mouth begins to water because of the smell?! In my opinion, these nuts smell better than freshly baked cookies. And that is a BOLD statement;)
Crunchy Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 egg white
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups pecans or any nut*
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnnamon
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300° F. Line an aluminum baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium to a large bowl, whisk together the egg white, water, and vanilla extract until frothy and airy. It will take about 60-90 seconds.
- Next, add in your sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Add the pecans and coat them EVENLY.
- Now pour the pecans onto the lined baking sheet and spread them out. Bake for 15 minutes before stirring. Check and stir the pecans with a spatula every 10 minutes after the initial 15 to ensure even baking. Total baking time will be about 30-40 minutes.
- Once the pecans have absorbed all the wet coating, they will become crystallized. That means they are done! Some ovens cook faster or slower than others, so just keep an eye on them!
- These taste the best fresh from the oven, but they are so amazing any time of the day! These pecans will store for up 2 weeks in an air-tight container.
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