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

4.34 from 75 votes

ByStacie VaughanOn Updated

18 Comments

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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
Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe - Simply Stacie (6)

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

Servings 4

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

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.

Can you roast pecans in a dehydrator? ›

Perfect Crispy Pecans

Spread the pecans on a stainless-steel or glass baking pan and place in a warm oven (or a dehydrator) that is no more than 150 degrees F. for 12-24 hours, stirring occasionally, until completely dry and crisp.

Do pecans soften when cooked? ›

Throw all of your pecans in a sauce pan, and pan-fry for about 2 minutes. This will soften the pecans, and really accentuate the nutty flavor.

How to make candied pecans less sticky? ›

COOL. Transfer to a piece of parchment or wax paper, separate, and let cool. What if my coating is still soft/sticky after baking? If you take your nuts out of the oven and the coating is still soft/sticky, pop the tray back in the oven until the nuts are more “crispy”.

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.

Should you wash pecans before you crack them? ›

Don't wash pecans. Don't run water over them or even use a damp towel to clean them. Especially in-shell pecans.

What causes stick tights on pecans? ›

Such "stick? tights" are caused by drought and heat stress in September and October. Pecans require water right up until the time of shuck split to reduce this problem. Nuts sprouting in the shuck before harvest (vivipary) are also reduced by late season water and/or stress reduction.

How long to soak pecans in salt water? ›

Preparation:
  1. Place the pecans and salt in a large glass or stainless steel bowl along with 8 cups of water. The pecans will swell during the soaking process, so you want enough water to keep them covered.
  2. Leave them on the counter to soak for 4-8 hours. ...
  3. After they are done soaking, drain and rinse in a colander.

How to dehydrate nuts in an air fryer? ›

Add in dried fruits, nuts, coconut flakes and cinnamon and stir consistently. Flatten the mixture into the dehydrator trays or baking pan, using a spatula. 3. Place the trays in the Dehydrator or Air Fryer Oven and dehydrate at 115°F for 4 hours, or until it reaches your desired consistency.

How do you take the bitterness out of pecans? ›

Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking. To "sweeten" the pecan meats (kernels), simply put the pecan kernels in a bowl and fill with lukewarm water. Stir and tumble the meats in the water for several minutes and you will see the discoloration in the water.

How to activate pecans? ›

How to activate your nuts…
  1. Dissolve salt in enough water to cover the amount of nuts/seeds you are activating.
  2. In a large bowl place your nut or seed of choice.
  3. Cover with the salt water solution.
  4. Soak for the required number of hours.
  5. Strain and rinse the nuts.
  6. Spread over a dehydrator rack, or baking tray.
May 12, 2020

Can dogs eat pecans? ›

These nuts are toxic for dogs. Eating them can result in pets becoming sick and needing immediate veterinary care. “The reason pecans are considered toxic is that they contain a compound called juglone, also found in walnuts, that is harmful to dogs,” advises Dr. Klein.

Why do you soak pecans in water? ›

By soaking nuts and seeds, you minimize or eliminate the nutritional inhibitors and other toxic substances as they are absorbed into the water. Without the inhibitors and toxic substances, the nutrients of the nuts and seeds are more readily available for absorption.

Why do my pecans taste bad? ›

Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.

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? ›

Spread the stale snacks out on a cookie sheet and place in a 350o F oven. Let them bake for about 10 minutes and then remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cooled the snacks should be crispy and refreshed. You can use this method with fresh nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts, etc.

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.

How do you keep pecan pie from getting soggy? ›

5 Ways to Prevent Soggy Pie Crust
  1. Blind Bake. The most common way to ward off a soggy pie crust is by a process called blind baking. ...
  2. Brush With Egg. ...
  3. Brush With Chocolate. ...
  4. Bake on a Hot Baking Sheet. ...
  5. Keep Moisture Out.
May 1, 2019

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