Spiced Candied Pecans
Spiced Candied Pecans are not just a tasty snack, but an 8 ingredient restaurant-quality candied nut that can elevate holiday salads and cheese boards. They're an easy, make-ahead treat you can gift for the holidays!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Miscellaneous
Cuisine: American
Keyword: holiday, holidays
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 199kcal
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- 10 ounce bag pecan halves approximately 2 1/2 cups
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick spray or on lined with nonstick aluminum foil or parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg white and water until frothy.
Add pecans to the egg white mixture and stir to coat evenly.
In a separate small bowl, combine sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix well.
Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the coated pecans and stir until they are evenly covered.
Spread the pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until evenly browned.
Remove from the oven and cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Tips and Substitutions
- Nut Variations: While pecans are delightful, you can also use walnuts or almonds.
- Sweetener Options: If you're looking for a natural alternative, consider using maple syrup or agave nectar instead of sugar, just adjust measurements accordingly.
- Spice Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat—more for spice lovers, less cayenne for a milder flavor. You can replace the cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg with pumpkin pie spice. Chili powder can be used instead of cayenne or in addition to the spice blend.
- Aquafaba for Vegan Option: For a vegan alternative, use 3 tablespoons aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) in place of the egg white.
- Add-Ins: Consider adding a dash of vanilla extract for an extra layer of flavor or tossing in a few dried cranberries or raisins for a sweet surprise!
Storage
Store spiced candied pecans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh for up to 2 weeks.
You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.
Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 122mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg