Dessert

Candied Pecans and Almonds Recipe

Name: Candied Pecans and Almonds Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups unsalted pecans; 1 1/2 cups unsalted almonds; 1 large egg white; 1 tablespoon water; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/8 teaspoon cloves; Optional: Pinch of cayenne pepper

ByLila Prescott December 16, 2025December 16, 2025

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Introduction

Candied pecans and almonds make for a delightful sweet and crunchy snack that’s perfect for holidays, parties, or just an everyday treat. With a blend of warm spices and a light caramelized coating, these nuts offer a satisfying flavor that’s hard to resist.

A close-up view of a mix of roasted nuts, mainly pecans and almonds, coated with a coarse sugary spice layer giving a textured, crunchy look; the nuts are spread across a white marbled surface with a metal scoop in the middle filled with more of the same sugared nuts, showing their rich brown and golden tones with slightly rough and grainy sugar coating visible all over. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups unsalted pecans
1 1/2 cups unsalted almonds

1 large egg white
1 tablespoon water

2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves
Optional: Pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 250˚F (120˚C) for a low and slow baking process that will caramelize the sugars evenly without burning.
Step 2: Lightly grease a nonstick sheet pan with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil to prevent the nuts from sticking during baking.
Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk the egg white, water, and vanilla extract together until frothy. This mixture helps the sugar and spices stick to the nuts.

Step 4: Add the pecans and almonds to the egg white mixture and stir until all the nuts are evenly coated.
Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, light brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cayenne pepper if using, to create the spiced sugar mixture.
Step 6: Pour the sugar and spice blend over the coated nuts and stir well to ensure every nut has a generous coating of the sweet spices.

Step 7: Spread the nuts in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Place on the middle rack of the oven.
Step 8: Stir the nuts every 15 minutes to promote even baking and prevent burning. Continue baking for 55 to 60 minutes until the nuts are golden brown and crisp.
Step 9: Remove the nuts from the oven, stir once more, then transfer them to a separate surface or dish to cool completely. This allows the coating to harden into a crunchy, candied shell.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, try adding a splash of bourbon or maple syrup to the egg white mixture before coating the nuts.
Replace cayenne pepper with smoked paprika for a smoky twist without heat.
If you prefer a finer coating, pulse the spiced sugar mixture lightly in a food processor before tossing with the nuts.

Use different nuts like walnuts or cashews for a variety of textures and flavors.

Storage

Store the cooled candied pecans and almonds in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Keep them away from heat and moisture to maintain their crispness. To refresh the crunch, you can reheat them in a 300˚F oven for 5–7 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

A close-up view of many caramelized and spiced pecans piled together, each nut coated in a rough, sugary layer that glistens slightly under soft light, with colors ranging from deep amber to dark brown. A metal scoop is filled with these pecans, showing their uneven, crinkly texture and glossy sugary coating, resting on top of more nuts spread out on a white marbled surface. The image highlights the rich caramelized sugar crystals on each pecan in sharp detail. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe without egg whites?

Yes, you can substitute the egg white with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of water, but the coating may be slightly stickier and less crisp.

How do I prevent the nuts from burning during baking?

Baking at a low temperature of 250˚F and stirring the nuts every 15 minutes helps ensure even cooking and prevents burning. Keeping a close eye during the last 10 minutes is also important.