Name: Maple Candied Pecans (Naturally Sweetened)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Yield: 8 (Makes 2 cups)
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups shelled pecans ((I like whole pecans)); 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

Candied Pecansare simple and made with just two ingredients, pecans and maple syrup! You can have these delicious nuts out of the pan in 15 minutes.

Candied pecans made on the stovetop are such asweet treatthat work for garnishing so many different things. They are a great addition to any salad, yogurt, cheeseboard, dessert or a yummy snack.Sky is the limit with these addicting little nuts.

Candied Pecansare perfect to throw on top of your favoritesalads, to eat plain, over yogurt, ice cream and to add tooatmealor yourcinnamon caramel popcorn recipe. Just be warned, once you start eating these maple candied pecans, it’s hard to walk away.

You can’t get any easier than mixing together pecans and pure maple syrup and letting them slowly cook down together, bubbling and popping along the way, until you end up with perfect candied nuts that are naturally sweet.Your house will smellamazingand you’ll be picking them up hot to pop in your mouth as soon as you can. You’ll love how easy these maple candied pecans are to make.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: With just a few simple steps, this recipe allows you to whip up a delicious snack or topping in no time. It’s perfect for when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Healthier Option: Since these candied pecans are naturally sweetened and don’t contain any processed sugars, they offer a healthier alternative to traditional candied nuts. It’s a great option for those looking to satisfy their sweet cravings without consuming refined sugars.
Versatility: These Maple Candied Pecans can be used in various ways – as a topping for salads, oatmeal, or yogurt, or as a standalone snack. I appreciate recipes that offer versatility in how they can be enjoyed.

Ingredients

Pecans:Use whole pecan pieces for easier eating. (You can use pecan pieces though if you are going to throw them into a salad.)
Realmaple syrup:Don’t use the fake corn syrup kind of maple syrup here! The real stuff makes the best maple sugar! And surprisingly enough, it doesn’t have a big maple syrup flavor when the nuts are finished, they’re just sweet. My husband doesn’t like maple at all and he loves these.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

candied pecans in a bowl view from the top

How to Make Candied Pecans

Step #1.Add the pecans and maple syrup to the pan and turn on the heat.

Step #2.Stir as the maple syrup gently simmers and the water evaporates.

Step #3.When there is no water left, dump the nuts onto a piece of waxed paper and let them cool.

Step #4.Enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

How long can you keep candied pecans?

Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 weeks. You can refrigerate them for about 3 weeks but in my experience they stay the best and crunchiest at room temperature. You can also store in the freezer for about a month.

Why are my candied pecans soft?

Pecans could turn soft if they were stored before they were completely cooled. Make sure to let them cool for at least 20 minutes before storing in an airtight container.

Do I need to stir candied nuts?

Yes! They only take 7 minutes to cook but you have to constantly stir them. Burning two cups of nuts would be something to cry over.

What kind of pan should I use to make my candied pecans?

I used a cast iron skillet to make these maple candied pecans. You’ll want to use that or a heavy bottomed pan of your own. A nice thick pan will distribute the heat well and help your nuts to candy and cook evenly without burning.

candied pecans on top mixed spring greens in a salad bowl

Expert Tips

Make sure to let the pecans coolcompletelybefore storing so they stay nice and crunchy.
As you stir,make sure that each pecan is evenly coatedwith the maple syrup so that each one has the same flavor and crunch.