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    Home » Recipes » Sides & Appetizers

    Published: Dec 7, 2022 by Melanie McDonald · This post contains affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 4 Comments

    Stovetop Candied Pecans

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN WATCH VIDEO
    5 from 3 votes

    The easiest Stovetop Candied Pecans that take only 5 minutes to make. They are salty, sweet, smoky, and addictively snack worthy!

    candied pecans laid out on parchment paper

    Your snacking situation just got better! Enter super quick and easy Stovetop Candied Pecans. We're talking barely any prep (except for getting the handful of ingredients out of the pantry), and ready in about five minutes!

    Made in a skillet on your stovetop, they are perfectly salty, sweet, caramelized, and smoky. Great for snacking or garnishing recipes that would benefit from a little well-seasoned flavor boost and crunch.

    In this post - Everything you need to make this Stovetop Candied Pecans recipe:

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Stovetop Candied Pecans
    • How To Store
    • How To Use Candied Pecans
    • Recipe Video
    • Recipe
    • Comments & Reviews

    They also make a great gift. Simply fill mason jars then tie some pretty twine or ribbon around the top.

    Ingredients

    Just a handful of ingredients are required:

    pecans, ,maple syrup, brown sugar, smoked paprika and cinnamon

    Although this recipe is for candied pecans, the stovetop method used will work for any other raw nut so feel free to switch the pecan halves out for whatever you have in your pantry. Walnuts are particularly yummy.

    The combination of brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, smoked paprika, and salt makes the pecans taste exceptionally delicious! Love a bit of spicy heat? Add a few pinches of cayenne pepper!

    How To Make Stovetop Candied Pecans

    This naturally gluten-free recipe is so quick and easy to make on the stove. Here's exactly how it's done:

    all of the candied pecan ingredients in a pan prior to cooking
    1. Add everything to a pan.
    pecans candying in a pan
    1. Heat for about 5 minutes over medium-high heat until the sugar mixture is bubbling, liquidy, and sticky.
    candied pecans hardening on parchment paper
    1. Transfer to a parchment paper or silicone mat-lined plate to harden up.

    Prefer a more traditional oven-baked recipe? Check out my Vegan Candied Nuts.

    How To Store

    Once cool place in an airtight container or jar and store for up to two weeks. They are safe to eat past this time but might become a little less crunchy.

    a bowl of candied pecans

    How To Use Candied Pecans

    Stovetop Candied Pecans are great for gifting or serving as nibbles alongside drinks or cocktails when entertaining. Be sure to make plenty though as once you start eating them it's hard to stop!

    They are also really good added to salads like my Strawberry Spinach Salad or Brussels Sprout Salad, with sides like my vegan sweet potatoes, on vegan cheese boards, and sprinkled or used as a garnish on cakes, desserts like cheesecake, oatmeal, pancakes, ice cream, or vegan yogurt.

    If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it by leaving a comment and rating below! And be sure to join my mailing list for more deliciousness!

    Recipe Video

    Recipe

    a bowl of candied pecans

    Stovetop Candied Pecans

    Author: Melanie McDonald
    5 from 3 votes
    The easiest Stovetop Candied Pecans that take only 5 minutes to make. They are salty, sweet, smoky, and addictively snack worthy!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    PREP TIME: 2 minutes
    COOK TIME: 5 minutes
    TOTAL TIME: 7 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings (makes 2 cups total)

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups (200 grams) pecan nuts , (raw & shelled)
    • 4 tablespoons dark brown sugar , or coconut sugar
    • 4 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1½ teaspoon smoked paprika , or chipotle powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Put the pecan nuts, brown sugar, maple syrup, smoked paprika, cinnamon and salt in a non-stick skillet and stir well.
    • Place the pan over medium heat, and let the nuts cook for about 5 minutes until really bubbly and sticky. Stir them frequently and don't leave them unattended as they can burn easily.
    • Turn off the heat and carefully spoon the nuts onto a parchment paper or silicone mat-lined plate or baking tray. Spread them out in a single layer with a spoon and leave them to cool at room temperature. They will get hard and crunchy as they cool down.

    NOTES

    Once cool place in an airtight container or jar and store for up to two weeks. They are safe to eat past this time but might become a little less crunchy.

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 1x ¼ cup servingCalories: 224kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 2gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 148mgPotassium: 142mgFiber: 3gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 199IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is provided for convenience. The data is a computer generated estimate and should be used as a guide only.

    Tried this recipe?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @avirtualvegan on Instagram and hashtag it #avirtualvegan

    Hungry For More?

    • Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
    • Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
    • Vegan Candied Nuts
    • Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rachel Reid says

      December 17, 2022 at 2:14 pm

      Mine did not harden. Thet stayed soft. Do you know why this may be?

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        December 17, 2022 at 5:54 pm

        That's odd. I make these all the time and have never had them not set. If the ratio of brown sugar to maple syrup is correct then it should be fine. Did you change any of the ingredients? Use a different sugar or sweetener or maybe not pure maple syrup? Also, did you use a measuring spoon to measure the sugar and maple syrup?

        Reply
    2. Kallie says

      December 08, 2022 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      These are delicious! I made them just now with the air fryer instead of the stove top. It felt odd mixing in paprika with my sweetners - but I trusted you - and it was worth it :-) I love the salty-ness too.... such a perfect balance.

      Thank you

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        December 08, 2022 at 9:35 pm

        so pleased you enjoyed them Kallie!

        Reply

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    Melanie McDonald

    I'm Melanie McDonald (but you can call me Mel), best-selling cookbook author and creator of A Virtual Vegan. I share well-tested, flavour-packed vegan recipes with clear, step-by-step instructions. My goal is to give you the confidence to cook amazing vegan food from scratch.

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