These 5-minute Stovetop Candied Pecans are a quick and easy way to make sweet glazed pecans for salads, snacking, food gifts, and more! It’s all made in one pan for minimal mess, and it’s overall much quicker and easier than the oven method. Plus, no candy thermometer needed!

Candied Pecans - In a White Low Dish on Burlap

I’ve tested and perfected this recipe literally dozens of times over the years, especially during the holidays. I love how simple the ingredients are and that I don’t have to use an oven or eggs! Im going to share my years of testing with you so you can be the pecan hero in your house!

The typical candied pecans recipe usually calls for making them in the oven, but something about that feels a bit too fussy and long to me. I’ve been making candied pecans on the stove for as long as I can remember, and it only takes me 5 minutes to make them. It’s so easy!

This recipe is one of the most popular holiday snack recipes on my site. I constantly get feedback on how foolproof and fast it is.

Stovetop Success Checklist

Use a nonstick pan – While you can get away with using any stainless steel pan, the nonstick pan helps all of the sweetness stick to the nut. It glazes easier, in my experience.

Use brown sugar or maple syrup – I love honey, but I don’t recommend using it here. Brown sugar or maple syrup will give you the best results.

Toast the pecans first – Totally optional, and sometimes it’s easier to just use raw nuts straight out of the bag. But if you have the time, toast the pecans for a few minutes (you can use the same skillet) to begin bringing out the flavor in the nuts. Most importantly, make sure to use fresh pecans that aren’t rancid or expired.

Use Medium Heat – Do not use high heat here. The sugar will burn quickly and will throw off the taste and texture.

Candied Pecans Recipe - Served In a White Low Dish on Burlap

I actually grew up with candied pecans, sugared pecans, and maple glazed pecans of all sorts in my house at Christmas time because my dad loved ordering them every year. Simply place the nuts in a mason jar with ribbon or in pretty holiday tins for last-minute gifts.

Step by Step Overview: How to Make Candied Pecans

  • To get started, combine brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt in a skillet, and add a splash of water so the sugar has an easier time dissolving:
Pouring Water Into Skillet with Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, and Salt
  • Stir it all around to combine:
Melted Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, and Salt in Skillet
  • Cook the sugar mixture over medium heat until it gets hot and bubbly and looks like a glaze:
Bubbling Sugared Pecans Mixture in Skillet
  • Throw in pecan halves, making sure they are more or less in a single layer:
Adding Pecan Halves to the Glazed Mixture bubbling In Skillet
  • Raw or toasted both work, but I personally think toasted pecans taste better.
  • Cook the pecan halves for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the liquid cooks down and glazes the nuts:
Candied Pecans Glazing in the Skillet with Sugar Bubbling
  • If the pecans still look sticky, keep cooking for a few more minutes. Different stoves have different heat output.
  • Once the liquid has cooked down and coated the pecans, spread them out on parchment paper to cool. Then break apart and enjoy your sweet snack:
Candied Pecans - In a White Circular Dish with Burlap Underneath

If you’d like to make a big batch, use a larger skillet, and try to make sure the pecans are more or less in an even layer. You don’t want to overcrowd the pan.

Very similar to this method is also my 5-minute Sticky Honey Bananas, which you may enjoy as well. Or try my Pecan Praline Candy. Happy cooking!

Candied Pecans FAQ:

Most stovetop candied pecan issues come down to heat level and cook time. These answers will help you fix them quickly

Why are my Candied Pecans sticky?

If the pecans turn out sticky, this means the sugar never reached a high enough temperature to have that hard crack “brittle” coating on the outside. Electric stoves tend to have less heat power and responsiveness as compared to gas stoves, so cook for a few minutes longer if you have an electric stove or a weaker gas stove. They can be salvaged, even after they’ve cooled. Just cook more, and watch and smell to ensure the pecans don’t burn.

How do you store candied pecans?

Once completely cooled, in an airtight container at room temperature for a week. You can get away with two weeks or longer, but the flavor won’t be as good. They taste best fresh.

Can candied pecans be frozen?

Yes, let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Do candied pecans need to be refrigerated?

No, but they will last for 4 weeks in the fridge, if you do want to extend the shelf life.

Can you double this recipe?

Absolutely, just make sure you use a larger skillet as needed.

Can you use other nuts?

Yes! Any nuts work great here. Follow the same directions with your nut of choice. Walnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews

These candied pecans are gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

Tried this recipe? Leave a rating and comment below — I’d love to hear how it turned out! Or, follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest!

Candied Pecans In a White Low Dish on Burlap

Candied Pecans Recipe

Servings: 4 , makes 1 cup pecans
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
These Stovetop Candied Pecans are a quick and easy way to make sweet coated pecans for salads, snacking, and more!
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Ingredients

For the pecans:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 cup pecan halves

Ideas for using the pecans (optional):

Instructions 

  • Combine all ingredients except the pecans in a skillet and cook over medium heat for a minute or two, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is bubbling.
  • Add the pecans and cook for an additional 3 minutes, stirring to coat in the glaze.
  • Remove from the heat, and spread the pecans out on parchment paper to let them cool completely.
  • Break apart, and enjoy!

Notes

Storage: These can be stored in an airtight jar for about one week.
Freezing: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
If the nuts are sticky: If the pecans turn out sticky, this means the sugar never reached a high enough temperature to have that hard crack “brittle” coating on the outside. Electric stoves tend to have less heat power and responsiveness as compared to gas stoves, so cook for a few minutes longer if you have an electric stove or a weaker gas stove. Just watch and smell to ensure it doesn’t burn.

Nutrition

Calories: 282kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 131mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 19g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Fifteen Spatulas

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

This is a great recipe for accommodating several different substitutions. I recommend trying the recipe once as written, then you can experiment with changes.

Spices: You can pretty much use whatever spices you’d like. I like to keep it simple with cinnamon, but you may add cloves, cardamom, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice. You may also try options like cayenne pepper, ancho chile powder, or even smoked paprika.

The Sugar: I like using brown sugar for its slight molasses tastes, but you can also use granulated white sugar or even coconut sugar. For maple syrup, follow this Maple Pecans recipe instead (it is also a quick and easy stovetop recipe). I do not recommend corn syrup.

Fat: It is not necessary to add fat here, but if you’d like it for richness, add a tablespoon of butter or coconut oil with the rest of the ingredients.

Vanilla extract: Add up to 1 teaspoon with the rest of the ingredients.

Egg whites: Egg should not be used here at all. This is only used for the oven method for helping the coating stick.

How To Use Candied Pecans

Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy this easy candied pecans recipe, in ways sweet and savory!

Or you know, you could just eat them. I do that too.