Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe - Simply Stacie (2024)

This homemade snack recipe is quick and easy to make in minutes in your air fryer! Air Fryer Candied Pecans are perfect for salads, holiday snacks or gift giving. Each bite is crunchy, sweet and delicious.

Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe - Simply Stacie (1)

I use my air fryer for many of my favorite recipes. I always think I can air fry this! Candied Pecans can also be air fried and guess what? They are ah-mazing!

I love making candied nuts over the holidays. They are perfect for gifting and also to serve as a snack when friends come for a visit.

These Air Fryer Candied Pecans are delicious! I love their crunch sweetness. They are so addicting though! I usually have to stop myself from eating too many.

Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe - Simply Stacie (2)

Why You’ll Love This Candied Pecans Recipe

  • Made in minutes
  • The perfect edible gift for a foodie
  • Crunchy and sweet
  • Uses real maple syrup
  • Can be used for a snack, in salads or other desserts
  • Minimal prep work and the air fryer does all the work
  • Contains only a few simple ingredients
  • Long storage time

Ingredients for Air Fryer Candied Pecans

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  • Brown sugar: You can switch this out for granulated sugar if you prefer.
  • Egg white
  • Maple syrup: You can use honey or agave nectar instead, though maple syrup goes best with pecans. I highly recommend Maple Lifestyle maple syrups. So good!
  • Allspice: If you don’t have allspice, cinnamon, or nutmeg are good alternatives.
  • Salt
  • Pecan halves
Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe - Simply Stacie (3)

How to Make Air Fryer Candied Pecans

Step One: Preheat the air fryer to 350F.

Step Two: Combine the brown sugar, egg white, maple syrup, allspice, and salt in a bowl and mix until fully combined.

Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe - Simply Stacie (4)

Step Three: Toss the pecans into the brown sugar mixture. Make sure it is well tossed and coated.

Step Four: Carefully line the preheated air fryer tray with aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray.

Step Five: Pour the pecan mixture into the air fryer basket. Cook for 3 minutes and then stir the pecans gently around. Cook for another 3 minutes.

Step Six: Let the pecans cool off for about 20 minutes before plating and serving.

Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe - Simply Stacie (5)

Equipment Needed to Make Candied Pecans

What to Serve with Candied Nuts

Christmas Drinks

  • Spiced Cranberry Punch
  • Homemade Eggnog
  • Christmas Punch
  • Cranberry Mocktail
  • Gingerbread Latte

Christmas Desserts

  • Snowball Cookies
  • Eggnog Pie
  • Whipped Shortbread Cookies
  • Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
  • No-Bake Peppermint Pie
  • Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

Christmas Snacks

  • Reindeer Chow
  • Gingerbread Dip
  • Eggnog Dip
  • Candy Cane Dip
  • Sweet Spiced Pecans
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Variations

  • Try using granulated sugar instead of brown sugar.
  • Substitute honey or agave nectar for the maple syrup
  • Use cinnamon or nutmeg in place of the allspice.

Storage Instructions

Best Way to Store Leftover Caramelized Pecans

Store these air fryer candied pecans in an airtight container either in the fridge or at room temperature for 2 to 3 weeks.

Can I Freeze Candied Nuts?

Yes, you can freeze candied nuts. Air fry them as instructed and let them cool completely. Then transfer them to airtight container or a freezer bag. Store the nuts in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe - Simply Stacie (7)

What do I do with Candied Pecans?

Candied pecans can be used in a lot of different ways. Some people love to toss them into salads to add a little extra sweetness and crunch.

Some people like to munch on them as a snack.

They are also a great addition to baked goods like cookies or cake.

You can even use them in a savory recipe like with chicken or fish.

Tips and Tricks

  • These pecans turn out delicious, but a bit moist. If you prefer them drier, put them back in the air fryer for 2 to 3 more minutes.
  • Putting the aluminum foil makes for an easy clean up job and keeps the pecans from sticking to the air fryer. I don’t recommend using cooking spray directly on the air fryer since most cooking sprays can cause air fryer baskets to chip.
Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe - Simply Stacie (8)

What is the difference between glazed and candied pecans?

Candied pecans typically use sugar and an egg white while glazed pecans are made with brown sugar, corn syrup and butter. Both are deliciously sweet!

Do you eat candied pecans warm or cold?

You can eat candied pecans warm, but bear in mind that they may be stickier. They will harden as they cool with a crispy, sugary coating.

Personally, I prefer eating them at room temperature (not cold). I don’t recommend refrigerating them.

How to Make Candied Pecans in the Oven

  • Step One: Preheat oven to 250F. Grease a baking sheet with butter or cooking spray.
  • Step Two: Combine the brown sugar, egg white, maple syrup, allspice, and salt in a bowl and mix until fully combined.
  • Step Three: Toss the pecans into the brown sugar mixture. Make sure it is well tossed and coated.
  • Step Four: Spread pecans on baking sheet.
  • Step Five: Bake for 1 hour, stirring the pecans every 15 minutes. Let cool before serving.
Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe - Simply Stacie (9)

Air Fryer Recipes

  • Air Fryer Pizza
  • Air Fryer Oreos
  • Air Fryer Chocolate Croissants
  • Air Fryer Chicken Wings
  • Air Fryer Potato Chips
  • Air Fryer Cinnamon Twists

You’ll also like Crockpot Candied Nuts.

Follow me on Instagram@simplystacieblog, Facebook atSimply Stacieor Pinterest at@simplystacieand let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

If you make the recipe, rate it on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram and use #simplystacie. I like sharing the photos on my Instagram stories!

Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe - Simply Stacie (10)

Rate this Recipe

4.34 from 75 votes

Air Fryer Candied Pecans

Created by Stacie Vaughan

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes minutes

Total Time 11 minutes minutes

This homemade snack recipe is quick and easy to make in minutes in your air fryer! Perfect for salads, holiday snacks or gift giving. Each bite is crunchy, sweet and delicious.

Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg white
  • ½ tbsp maple syrup
  • ¼ tsp allspice
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 ¼ cups pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.

  • Combine the brown sugar, egg white, maple syrup, allspice, and salt in a bowl and mix until fully combined.

  • Toss the pecans into the brown sugar mixture. Make sure it is well tossed and coated.

  • Carefully line the preheated air fryer tray with aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray.

  • Pour the pecan mixture into the air fryer basket. Cook for 3 minutes and then stir the pecans gently around. Cook for another 3 minutes.

  • Let the pecans cool off for about 20 minutes before plating and serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 154mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course Snacks

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer candied pecans, candied nuts, candied pecans, caramelized pecans, sugared pecans

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FAQs

Why are my candied pecans soggy? ›

Why are my candied pecans soft and sticky? If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

Stir them every 10 minutes or so to avoid them clumping together, or you can just break them apart with a spatula or your hands later. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Can you vacuum seal candied pecans? ›

Make These Candied Pecans in Advance

Storing: For best taste and freshness, store these tasty snacks in an airtight container, such as a glass mason jar or a vacuum-sealed plastic container. They will keep for 2-3 weeks at room temperature.

How to make candied pecans less sticky? ›

Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt makes these taste salty-sweet. If you'd prefer to not taste the salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325° F and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

Why do you soak pecans in water? ›

Soaked nuts and seeds are hydrated, so their flavor is a bit more buttery and creamy. As the nut absorbs more and more water, it becomes plumper and the texture softens (hint: it is always a good idea to soak your nuts and seeds in a larger container to give them plenty of space for expansion).

Why is my pecan candy not hardening? ›

sometimes I have no idea why they won't harden. But if your pralines are still gooey after 30-40 minutes, you may have to scrape them back into the pan and heat them again. Add a tablespoon of milk, melt the sugar, and as before, stir constantly while you bring them to a boil.

Why is my pecan candy sticky? ›

If you don't beat it long enough, then pralines won't set properly and will stay soft and sticky.

Why do you soak pecans before roasting? ›

Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

How to tell if pecans are bad? ›

Fresh pecans have a distinct aroma, characterized by their sweet, nutty scent. They should have a firm, almost crunchy texture and a rich golden or amber color. On the flip side, bad pecans may show signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell, a shriveled appearance, or a soft and rubbery texture.

Do candied pecans go bad? ›

If you don't plan on eating your candied pecans right away, you may want to consider storing them in the refrigerator or freezer. Refrigeration can keep the pecans fresh for up to three months, while freezing can extend their shelf life for up to six months.

How long do pecans last in a ziplock bag? ›

Sealed plastic bags are best for storing pecans in the freezer. In-shell pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for 6 to 12 months. They can be refrigerated up to 18 months and frozen for about three years.

Why are my pecans mushy? ›

Humidity above these values can cause kernel molding and pecan texture deterioration (pecans become soft and rubber-like), whereas lower humidities will cause excessive drying. In-shell pecan kernels will darken under high humidity as a result of the tannic acid being dissolved from the shell lining.

How do you fix soggy nuts? ›

Just toasting them in a dry pan or oven should be enough to revive them, but they'll also go in any recipe that requires nuts. We got through most of ours by toasting them with spices, to eat as nibbles or to add crunch to soups, stews and salads.

How do you dry wet pecans? ›

Pecans often contain excessive moisture when they first fall. The nuts should be dried before they are put in storage. Drying can usually be accomplished by placing the pecans in a shallow layer in a warm, dry area for two weeks. Adding fans and heat can speed drying.

References

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