Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe is sweet and delicious. Make these for the perfect topping for salads, charcuterie boards and more.
This Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe makes a tasty treat in less than 5 minutes. The brown sugar-coated pecans turn out so decadent. Give this a try and see why everyone loves sugared pecans.
Easy stovetop candied pecans make a quick and easy gluten free treat. You might also want to try our Slow Cooker Candied Pecans Recipe.
Check out Air Fryer Candied Pecans for another option.
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe
The sweet and salty flavor is so delicious, and the recipe is very easy to make. You only need a handful of ingredients. The recipe takes just a few minutes and turns out so amazing.
The savings is significant making these at home!
Ingredients
- Pecan Halves. This size is perfect for the recipe.
- Brown Sugar. You can actually make Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe.
- Salt. The salt combined with the sugar makes this recipe so delicious!
Find the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.
Flavor Variations
- Sweet and Spicy Pecans. If you like spicy, add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper with the brown sugar. You can adjust this according to your preference.
- Cinnamon Pecans. Add ¼ teaspoon to the brown sugar mixture. The combination of cinnamon and sugar is so tasty.
- Salted Caramel Pecans. While the pecans cool, top with a generous sprinkle of sea salt.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice. If you love pumpkin flavor, try adding pumpkin pie spice to the recipe.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Heat the water, brown sugar and pinches of salt in a skillet over medium heat. Stir until the mixture starts boiling and the sugar has dissolved.
Step 2. Then add the pecans and cook for 3-4 minutes. Make sure to stir to coat the pecans in the brown sugar glaze. Continue to cook stirring to prevent them from burning.
Step 3. Next, move the pecans to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking mat. Separate the pecans with a fork if needed and make sure they are in a single layer.
Step 4. Once they are cool, they are ready to serve and enjoy!
How to Use Candied Pecans?
- Salad. They are delicious with spinach salads for a sweet and savory option.
- Cheese boards. Sprinkle candied pecans around for a great treat.
- Oatmeal. Toss a few into your morning oatmeal for a great breakfast.
- Granola. Add to granola for a hint of sweetness.
- Charcuterie board. Add to American Flag Candy Charcuterie Board.
- Ice Cream. These are delicious served over your favorite ice cream. I love Cinnamon Ice Cream Recipe.
Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also store in the refrigerator for a few weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they can be frozen up to 2 months. Allow the nuts to cool completely and then store inside a freezer container.
The nuts will be sticky initially. As the pecans cool, the nuts will become less sticky and easier to manage. If they do not, it is the result of the nuts not reaching a high enough temperature while cooking.
The high temp is responsible for the brittle like coating on the outside the pecans should have.
If they are still really sticky once cooked, continue to cook them in the skillet for a couple of extra minutes. Stoves can vary in how they cook and the heat.
After this, if you find they are still sticky, bake them for a few minutes at 325 degrees until they harden. I would start with 5 minutes and check them.
Continue to bake them in 5 minute intervals until they are no longer sticky. It should not take any longer than 15 minutes.
Yes, you definitely can use other types of nuts. Some ideas include: walnuts, cashews, peanuts and almonds.
Any of these would make a delicious substitute.
When cooking, you might see the sugar mixture look grainy. This is due to the sugar starting to evaporate and crystallize.
At this stage, the pecans are just about ready.
They will last up to 1 week in the fridge and up to a month in the freezer.
The pecans don’t last that long around here. We all eat them pretty quickly.
Pro Tips
- Don’t burn the sugar mixture. This needs to be watched extremely carefully. If it burns, you will have to start over.
- The pecans need to be added immediately. Once the sugar mixture has dissolved, add the nuts right away. Quickly coat them before they burn.
- Prepare your baking pan. Clean-up is easier if you add a layer of wax paper on the pan prior to pouring the candied pecans.
- Double the recipe. We often double this recipe because everyone loves them so much.
More Candy Recipes
Make this recipe today. It is definitely a crowd-pleaser. Please leave a comment once you try it.
Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Pecan Halves
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 2 Tbsp Water
Instructions
- Heat the water, brown sugar and salt in a skillet over medium high heat until the mixture starts boiling and the sugar has dissolved.
- Then add in the pecan halves and cook for 3-4 minutes stirring to coat the pecans in the brown sugar glaze.
- Then move the pecans to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Separate the pecans with a fork if needed and allow them to cool at room temperature to cool completely.
- Once they are cool, they are ready to serve and enjoy!
