Ingredient Notes:
Pecans – You’ll start with which pecan halves which you can find at pretty much any grocery store. Other nuts will also work well in this recipe.
Cinnamon & Sugar – Just a simple mixture of cinnamon and sugar to coat these pecans.
Other – You’re also going to need an egg white, salt, and vanilla extract . The egg white is what will keep the cinnamon sugar coating in place while the pecans roast in the air fryer.
We love the way the sugar and cinnamon hardens up after cooling to make the pecans a lovely crunch with lots of sweet, warm flavor! The cinnamon sugar coating tastes even better with the hint of vanilla flavor from the extract. You can use a little more of that if you want extra vanilla flavor!
Candied Pecans Variations:
This candied nuts recipe is pretty simple with just a few ingredients but you can easily modify it with other ingredients or substitutions. Not a pecan fan? Walnuts and almonds are also great choices. Or why not do a mix of them all?
Add a teaspoon of pumpkin spice to the sugar mixture for a warm and autumn-inspired flavor. Use a combination of ground ginger, cinnamon, and a dash of cloves for a gingerbread-inspired flavor.
You could also use brown sugar in place of granulated sugar. Pretty much any spice you might want to use can be added to switch up the taste. Add a little cayenne pepper for spicy heat!
How to Make Candied Pecans:
Whisk – Add the egg whites to a bowl and whisk until it is frothy. Whisk in the vanilla.
Pecans – Add the pecans to the egg whites and stir to coat.
Cinnamon & Sugar – Stir together the cinnamon and sugar along with the salt in a separate bowl. Sprinkle the mixture over the pecans in the other bowl and toss until they are all well coated in the cinnamon sugar mixture!
Air Fry – Cook the candied pecans in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Avoid piling them up or they won’t cook evenly. You may need to work in batches depending on how large your air fryer basket it. Cook the candied pecans for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes or so to prevent sticking.
How To Serve Candied Pecans:
You can enjoy the air fryer candied pecans as is or use them as a topping in other recipes or for ice cream, pies, cakes, and other desserts. They’ll taste good on just about anything sweet! You can even enjoy them on salads!
These candied pecans also make excellent Christmas gifts! Put them in some decorative containers like a holiday tin and give them out at your party or family gathering.
Make a huge batch of them for your office holiday party! They’re easy to make and everyone will love them.
Recipe Tips!
Every air fryer cooks differently. If you notice these are browning too much, reduce the air fryer temp and keep a close eye on them
You can use other nuts like almonds or walnuts instead of pecans if you prefer.
Adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste preferences. If you like it sweeter, you can add a bit more sugar.
To ensure an even coating, toss the pecans well in the sugar mixture. If you notice any clumps of sugar, break them apart before air frying. Shaking the air fryer basket during the cooking process helps ensure that the pecans cook evenly and don’t stick together.
Allow the candied pecans to cool completely before storing or serving to let the sugar coating harden.
Ingredients
2 cups pecan halves
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 300°F.
In a bowl, whisk the egg white until frothy. Add vanilla extract and mix well. Add the pecans to the egg white mixture, stirring to coat them evenly.
In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Sprinkle this mixture over the pecans, ensuring that they are well coated.
Place the coated pecans in the air fryer basket, spreading them out in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Cook at 300°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even coating.
Once the pecans are golden brown and fragrant, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool. The coating will harden as it cools.
Once completely cooled, transfer the candied pecans to a serving bowl or an airtight container.
Notes
Shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes and check to make sure they are not burning. Every air fryer cooks a little differently.
Be sure to place the nuts in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
Nutrition
Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 80mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
