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Home » Holiday Recipes

Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Published: Dec 15, 2021 by Felicia Lim · This post may contain affiliate links

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Pinterest image for candied pecans
Pinterest image for candied pecans
Pinterest image for candied pecans

Crunchy, sweet, and flavored with cinnamon sugar, this easy stovetop candied pecans recipe makes the perfect sweet snack or dessert during the holiday season! With just 5 ingredients and made on the stovetop in less than 10 minutes of hands-on cooking time, these delicious pecans are great for holiday gifts during Thanksgiving and Christmas! Great for topping salads, or eating alone, they add flavor and texture to any dish. Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too, but no one would know!

Picking up a pecan from a plate full of candied pecans.
Jump to:
  • What are Candied Pecans?
  • Why This Recipe Works:
  • Ingredients You’ll Need:
  • Ingredient Notes/Substitutes:
  • How to Make Stovetop Candied Pecans (Step by Step):
  • Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
  • Recipe FAQs:
  • Other Dessert Recipes You’ll Love:
  • Holiday Recipes to Indulge in:
  • Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

What are Candied Pecans?

Candied pecans are essentially pecan halves that have been coated in a sugar mixture (that typically includes white sugar and an egg white).

These pecans are often eaten during Christmas or the holiday season, and make a fun snack or easy dessert – which can easily be sprinked on top of other desserts such as crustless pumpkin pie, or added to warm quinoa salads or even side dishes such as shaved Brussels sprouts for added texture.

Because they are shelf-stable and don’t require refrigeration, these pecans also make the perfect holiday gift!

Holding a jar full of candied pecans.

Why This Recipe Works:

  • Simple Ingredients: To make this candied pecans recipe, you literally only need just a handful of ingredients (5 ingredients including water, to be precise)
  • Easy to Make: While most recipes require baking the pecans in the oven, this candied pecans recipe uses the stove top, which is faster and required less than 10 minutes of hands-on cooking time. It’s also easier to monitor the progress as the cinnamon sugar mixture melts. Plus, no candy thermometer is needed!
  • Crunchy and Tasty: With the sugar coating, these stovetop candied pecans are incredibly crunchy and flavored with cinnamon, making them a great snack, a holiday treat or even a homemade gift! They can also be used as crunchy toppings for a salad or served on cheese boards too.
  • Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan: There’s also no egg whites required in this easy recipe, which makes these candied pecans vegan, as well as dairy-free and gluten-free, so even those who have Celiac disease or have gluten and lactose intolerances can enjoy them without worries!
Hand holding a plate of stovetop candied pecans.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this stovetop candied pecans recipe.

cornbread in a cast iron skillet
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(For exact measurements and quantities, please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

Labeled ingredients for making stovetop candied pecans laid out on a white board.

Ingredient Notes/Substitutes:

  • Sugar: I used light brown sugar in this candied pecans recipe, but you can also use normal white sugar, dark brown sugar, maple sugar, or even coconut sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend that you use Lakanto monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that has zero glycemic index).
  • Cinnamon: I love adding a hint of ground cinnamon for fall vibes, but feel free to leave it out if you aren’t a big fan of cinnamon. Alternatively, you can also use pumpkin pie spice in equal amounts if you prefer.
  • Pecans: I used raw pecan halves, but you can also use toasted pecan halves if you prefer.

How to Make Stovetop Candied Pecans (Step by Step):

1. Combine Ingredients for Sugar Coating

Combine the light brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and water in a large non-stick skillet and mix well over medium-high heat.

Light brown sugar in a large skillet.

2. Melt the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

Cook for approximately 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mixture bubbles up and water is evaporated. Make sure to stir continuously with a heat-resistant spatula so the sugar doesn’t burn.

Mixing brown sugar mixture in a skillet.

3. Coat Pecans

Add the pecans let cook for a couple of minutes, mixing well to combine until the pecans are well coated with the sugar mixture. 

A skillet full of pecans coated with a sugar mixture.

4. Cool the Pecans

Transfer the pecans to a silpat-lined or parchment-lined baking sheet or cookie sheet and spread them out evenly in a single layer. Let the caramelized pecans cool for at least 5 minutes before breaking them apart once cool enough to handle. Enjoy!

Candied pecans cooling on a silpat.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

  • Gas Stove/Electric Stove: I used an electric stove for cooking this recipe, but if you use a gas stove, it may require less time, so be sure to monitor the sugar mixture as it cooks.
  • Silpat/Parchment Paper/Wax Paper: To ensure that the pecans don’t stick to the baking pan as they cool, I definitely recommend that you line the pan with either a silpat, parchment paper or wax paper. I personally use a silpat because it’s reusable and the pecans do not stick at all, but if you don’t own a silpat, parchment paper will do the trick as well.
  • Using Other Nuts: If you prefer other nuts instead of pecans, feel free to substitute the pecans with nuts such as walnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, or even cashew nuts in equal quantities. Treat this as a basic recipe for making all kinds of candied nuts!
  • Homemade Holiday Gifts: These sugared pecans make great homemade gifts – simply place them in a mason jar and tie them with a pretty ribbon.
  • Make a Double Batch: These delicious pecans sure go fast, so if it’s for a crowd, I highly suggest that you make a double batch or more!
A plate full of pecans.

Recipe FAQs:

Do These Pecans Need to be Refrigerated?

Nope! You don’t need to store these candied pecans in the fridge, as they will be just fine at room temperature.

How Long do These Candied Pecans Last?

These pecans can last for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container at room temperature.

Can You Freeze Candied Pecans?

Yes, you can! Let the sugared pecans cool completely before storing them in freezer-safe container or ziplock bags and then freeze the pecans for up to 2 months. Allow pecans to thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator before eating or serving.

What do You Eat these Pecans with?

You can either use them as a topping for our favorite crustless pumpkin pie, or sprinkled on top of a warm quinoa salad for extra crunch, or on top of these delicious shaved Brussels sprouts. Or you can even eat these amazingly crunchy pecans alone as a sweet treat in between meals!

Hand holding a jar full of stovetop candied pecans.

Other Dessert Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Sweet Potato Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
  • Lemon Meringue Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
  • Easy Pecan Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
  • Crustless Pumpkin Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
  • Easy Coconut Macaroons (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
  • Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
  • Homemade Peanut Butter Cups (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
  • Cinnamon Coffee Cake (Gluten-Free)

Holiday Recipes to Indulge in:

  • Gluten-Free Spinach Dip (Dairy-Free, Vegan)
  • Gluten-Free Lemon Blueberry Bread (Dairy-Free)
  • Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese Bake (Dairy-Free, Vegan)
  • Gluten-Free Lemon Meringue Pie (Dairy-Free)

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Easy Stovetop Candied Pecans (Gluten-Free, Vegan)


★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Felicia Lim
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 16oz jar 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

Crunchy, sweet, and flavored with cinnamon sugar, this easy stovetop candied pecans recipe is the perfect sweet snack or dessert during the holiday season! With just 5 ingredients and made on the stovetop in less than 10 minutes of hands-on cooking time, these delicious pecans are great for holiday gifts and treating your guests! Great for topping salads, or eating alone, they add flavor and texture to any dish. Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too, but no one would know!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/3 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 6 tablespoons water
  • 2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

  1. Melt the Sugar: Combine the light brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and water in a large non-stick skillet and mix well over medium-high heat. Cook for approximately 5 minutes until the sugar starts to dissolve and the mixture bubbles up and water is evaporated. Make sure to stir continuously so the sugar doesn’t burn.
  2. Coat Pecans: Add the pecans let cook for a couple of minutes, mixing well to combine until the pecans are well coated with the sugar mixture. 
  3. Cool: Transfer the pecans to a silpat-lined or parchment-lined baking sheet and spread them out evenly. Let the pecans cool for at least 5 minutes before breaking them apart once cool enough to handle.

Notes

Sugar: I used light brown sugar in this candied pecans recipe, but you can also use normal white sugar, dark brown sugar, maple sugar, or even coconut sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend that you use Lakanto monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that has zero glycemic index).

Cinnamon: I love adding a hint of ground cinnamon for fall vibes, but feel free to leave it out if you aren’t a big fan of cinnamon. Alternatively, you can also use pumpkin pie spice in equal amounts if you prefer.

Pecans: I used raw pecan halves, but you can also use toasted pecan halves if you prefer.

Silpat/Parchment Paper: To ensure that the pecans don’t stick to the baking pan, I definitely recommend that you line the pan with either a silpat, parchment paper, or wax paper. I personally use a silpat because it’s reusable and the pecans do not stick at all, but if you don’t own a silpat, parchment paper will do the trick as well.

Gas Stove/Electric Stove: I used an electric stove for cooking this recipe, but if you use a gas stove, it may require less time, so be sure to monitor the sugar mixture as it cooks.

Adapted from: Fifteen Spatulas

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: candied pecans recipe

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @felicialimhz on Instagram and hashtag it #dishbydish

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About Felicia

Hey you! I’m Felicia, a Singaporean girl who moved to Buenos Aires for love. A couple of things about me: I love food, writing and food photography. I wrote a grain-free ecookbook that I know you’ll love and I also do freelance writing and photography if you want to work with me. Follow me on this blog as I navigate the world of cooking gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free.

Did you make a recipe? Tag @felicialimhz on Instagram. I love to see what you cook!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Charity says

    February 26, 2023 at 7:09 pm

    So easy and delicious! Great way to use up the rest of my huge pecan bag from Sam’s Club lol. Changed up my snacks and great addition to my salads this week. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Felicia Lim says

      February 27, 2023 at 5:35 am

      Hi Charity! YAY! Glad you managed to use up all your pecans 🙂
      Hope to see you around the blog again sometime soon!
      xx,
      felicia

      Reply
  2. Becky says

    December 22, 2022 at 10:50 pm

    These taste delicious, the only thing is, the pictures look like they end up with slightly crumbly sugar on the outside which is what has happened when I’ve made non vegan versions before, but they’re very smooth. I thought maybe I had added too much water or not let it boil off enough, but my second batch is the same. Like I say they’re still delicious, but any suggestions as to what I might be doing wrong would be appreciated! 😊

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Felicia Lim says

      December 23, 2022 at 6:22 am

      Hi Becky! Glad you enjoyed these candied pecans! Hmmm, I don’t think the crumbly sugar has to do with whether the recipe is vegan or not… I’m thinking it could be due to the type of sugar used (if you use a finer sugar vs. a more granulated sugar – you know how some sugars dissolve very quickly in liquids while other sugars may take a logner time? I think it’s that.) Hope this helps dear, and happy holidays to you and your fam!!

      Reply
  3. Grace Lim says

    December 15, 2021 at 7:17 pm

    Hello Felicia,

    These candied pecans turned out to be so wonderful as an alternative way to consume pecans on their own – can be addictive too especially for pecan lovers 🙂

    Have a blessed day !

    Mum

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Felicia Lim says

      December 16, 2021 at 8:24 am

      Definitely!! These pecans are a delicious snack… we ate them all up almost in one day!

      Reply
  4. Trisha says

    April 22, 2021 at 8:20 pm

    I made them and they turned out delish. Thank you fir the recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Felicia Lim says

      April 22, 2021 at 9:07 pm

      Hi Trisha! You are most welcome, and thank you so much for the lovely review and feedback! So happy to know that you enjoyed these candied pecans, and I hope to see you around the blog again sometime soon! Have a good weekend!

      Reply

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I’m Felicia: a girl from Singapore who moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina for love. My husband is Celiac so I test and share gluten-free recipes on my blog! I help people with food intolerances and allergies cook and eat delicious, healthy food! Stay a while, and let's be friends! ♥

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