These easy maple candied pecans are made with maple syrup, brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon! Plus, these homemade cinnamon sugared nuts are ready in less than 15 minutes. Homemade candied pecans for the fall dessert win.
Have you ever made homemade candied pecans before? This version is my favorite, because it comes together quickly and doesn’t require any weird ingredients!
In the words of my sister-in-law, “It was under 70 degrees at one point today. This calls for boots!”
Well, boots and candied nuts, that is.
Capitalizing on the cold with fall fashion and fall(ish) foods is literally at the top of my to-do list for this season. #goals (Of course, this was a few days ago before the weather decided mid-October was the perfect time for 97 degrees).
Granted, a few years ago, candied nuts would definitely not have been on my list of fall food favorites (I was young, naive, and desperately in need of an intervention), but I saw the light and haven’t turned back since.
I’ve been crazy about these pumpkin spice candied nuts, and am now just as obsessed with these homemade maple candied pecans!
Let’s talk about homemade candied nuts, shall we??
There are so many recipes out there, and while I’m sure there are many great ones that yield a very similar result, this version is my favorite!
It’s just so simple.
And I can’t deny how big a role this plays in my love of this recipe. (Of course I love the flavors, but the ease of it! Guys, I can’t. I just can’t even.)
Also, let me just say that a tin of these at Christmas or Thanksgiving would definitely be well received. Maybe even an assortment of candied pecans mixed with Rolo Pretzel Bites and perhaps some Butterfinger Puppy Chow…
Just a thought.
If you’re a total candied nut newb, let’s chat about the finer points of these cute and sweet homemade candied pecans.
First things first, let’s talk ingredients. What do you need to make homemade candied pecans? Well for this particular version of maple candied pecans you need:
- whole pecans
- water
- maple syrup
- brown sugar
- white sugar
- ground cinnamon (and cinnamon sugar for sprinkling)
That’s right, these are candied pecans without egg whites!! (A lot of candied nut recipes use egg whites to coat the nuts).
Homemade Maple Candied Pecans Tips & Tricks:
- You want to use whole raw pecans. I suppose you could use roasted pecans or something like that, but that might alter the flavor. I’m not sure since I’ve never tried it, but just a forewarning.
- You could easily do a mix of different nuts here. I love candied almonds and candied walnuts so feel free to add them into the mix here.
- This recipe can be doubled or tripled easily so if you are planning on making a big batch of homemade candied pecans for Christmas gifts or something, this recipe has your back.
- I like to sprinkle some extra cinnamon sugar on at the end just to give the nuts a sugar sparkle, but that is completely optional. There is a lot of sugar in the recipe already so if you want to cut down a bit, you can easily omit the cinnamon sugar at the end.
A bowl of these? Happy day.
- 3 cups raw pecans whole
- 1 Tbsp water
- 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- cinnamon sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
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In a large saucepan, over medium-low heat, combine all ingredients except pecans. Stir until all sugar and spices have dissolved completely.
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Add in pecans, making sure all nuts are coated with the sugar mixture.
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Once coated, stir constantly (on med-low heat) for about 7-8 minutes, or until there is no more liquid in the pot. Remove from heat immediately (otherwise the sugars might burn).
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As soon as the nuts are done, pour nuts onto a sheet of parchment paper to cool (make sure they are flat and in a single layer, otherwise the nuts will stick to each other). If you want to sprinkle with cinnamon sugar to give them a 'sugared' look (as pictured), do it while the nuts are cooling so the cinnamon sugar will stick.
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Enjoy!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Oh how I wish I lived in California where under 70 was cold! It’s in the 40s here right now and I’m ready for summer again haha! These pecans look SO good, Michelle! I’ve made a similar kind before, but I’m loving your version. So perfect to munch on!
Paulette says
These sound simple and great! By the way, I made your Toffee Crackers to take to our small group and they were a huge hit!! Some asked for the recipe! They are so addicting….. you can’t just eat one!!!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
YUM!! This is my new favorite snack!! Looks delicious!
Jen @ The Weary Chef says
These look so addicting! My kids surely won’t stop munching this!
Annie says
I bet your house smelled AMAZING while these were cooking!!
Sabrina says
I love pecans! I need some of these right now!
eat good 4 life says
Oh boy these look to die for. I need to get some nuts and start making snacks like this!
Sharon @ What The Fork says
Pecans are one of my favorite nuts – I wouldn’t be able to stop eating these!
Krista says
I am going to have bowls of these all over my house for the Holidays!
Manon says
These are absolutely delicious and very easy to make. I plan on making more to give as Christmas gifts if I can keep hubby away from them 🙂
Michelle says
Thanks, Manon! So happy to hear you liked them!
Jane Toomajanian says
These are delicious. I made one change, only because my brown sugar was hard – I substituted coconut sugar. My husband and I couldn’t stop eating these. Great to make for Christmas gifts for the neighbors – just pour into Mason jars, place a piece of holiday fabric over the top and tie with a ribbon. Easy peasy!
Michelle says
Ooh, I love the idea of using coconut sugar!! I’ll have to try that out! 🙂
Ellen L. Altamore says
If I don’t have parchment paper can I just pour them onto a pizza tin or a jelly roll pan?
Michelle says
They might stick to the pan if you don’t use parchment paper or non-stick foil, but you are welcome to try!
Betty Cardenas says
September 17,2019
It is a very easy and absolutely delicious recipe.
I made a batch with cinnamon and another one with cayenne and sea salt. Both are amazing. I used 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne and about 1 teaspoon of salt.
Michelle, thank you very much for sharing this recipe,!
Regards