These Candied Cinnamon Pecans are the easiest five-ingredient treat you can whip up for snacking, gifting, or adding a delicious crunch to your favourite dishes.
We're nuts for nuts here. You might also enjoy our: Paleo Candied Walnuts or Spicy Chilli Peanuts.
Quick look at Candied Cinnamon Pecans
- ⏲️ 5 mins hands-on time.
- 🛒 Ingredients: Just 5!
- 🍽️ Makes: About 2 cups.
- 🧑🍳 Difficulty: Easy - kid-friendly recipe.
- 🗃️ Make ahead: Keep for months in an air-tight container.
Unless someone specifically requests a certain gift, I tend to give things that I would like to receive (personalised to the person of course). You already know that this means I give a lot of food gifts.
Last year I made spiced mixed nuts (although apparently not for Christmas, I'm not sure why I made such a big batch!) but this year I thought I'd go with a sweet treat seeing as the macadamia dukkah will balance it out nicely.
You know I love anything with cinnamon and sugar and to me they're a rather Christmassy combination.
Jump to:
Why Make Candied Cinnamon Pecans
- Super simple and quick - Only takes 5 minutes of hands-on time and just 5 ingredients. That means minimal prep, helping you tick it off your list quickly.
- Perfect for gift giving or snack prep ahead - they keep well in an airtight container (you can make ahead and store for at least a month) making them ideal for packaging up as hostess gifts, holiday treats — or simply prepping to have on-hand for the family.
- Flexible - you don’t have to use pecans — you can swap in almonds or walnuts if preferred.
- Cinnamon sugar - one of my favourite combos. Cinnamon and sugar give that cosy, seasonal sweetness — great for sharing, gifting or indulging.
Recipe Ingredients
To make Candied Cinnamon Pecans you will need:
- Pecans - obviously. You can substitute with any nut you like. Walnuts work really well (we also have this super speedy Candied Walnut Recipe).
- Sugar - the original recipe calls for caster sugar. you can also use raw or regular sugar it will just change the texture slightly.
- Vanilla - make sure it's vanilla extract.
- Egg white - I used the egg yolk to make Gingerbread Biscuit Dough
How To Make Candied Cinnamon Pecans
Step 1 - Combine the egg white and vanilla and mix well.
Step 2 - Pour the nuts into a bit bowl and then fold through the egg whites. Make sure that all the nuts are coated and glossy.
Step 3 - Mix the sugar and cinnamon together.
Step 4 - Pour a little of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the nuts. Fold it through then repeat adding a little at a time until all the nuts are well-coated.
Step 5 - Spread the nuts onto the tray in a single layer, breaking up any clumps and bake for 20 minutes.
Step 6 - Take the tray out of the oven and carefully (use tongs so you don't burn yourself) break up any clumps. Pop them back into the oven and keep cooking until they are completely dry (about another 20 minutes).
Leave the nuts to cool completely on the tray then bag/bottle them up and give them away so you don't eat them all.
Sugar Tip
We have made this recipe with caster sugar and raw sugar. Both are delicious! The only difference is appearance. If you like it a little chunky, go with raw sugar (pictured).
I might have gone a little bit overboard with my cinnamon sugar to nuts ratio but in my mind you can never have too much. Feel free to cut it down a little but I think the thicker the cinnamon sugar crust the better. I challenge you to stop at eating just one pecan. I had trouble resisting them as they posed for their photo shoot.
If you need a last minute present or something to take as a hostess gift cinnamon pecans are perfect because it's literally just a case of throwing everything together, stirring and baking.
Recipe FAQs
You don't have to use pecans - almonds or walnuts would be just as good.
You can reduce the sugar slightly, but the texture may be less crunchy. Liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup won’t crystallise, so stick to granulated sugar for the classic candied coating.
Absolutely — it scales beautifully. Just use a larger pan and stir often so the sugar coats evenly.
The hard part is deciding how to package them. I'm going with clear cello bags and red and white bakers twine. Enjoy!
What about you? Do you have traditions in the lead up to Christmas?
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 400 g pecans
- ½ cup caster sugar
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 120C fan-forced and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Combine the egg white and vanilla and mix well.
- Pour the nuts into a bit bowl and then fold through the egg whites. Make sure that all the nuts are coated and glossy.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon together and then pour a little over the nuts.
- Fold it through then repeat adding a little at a time until all the nuts are well-coated.
- Spread the nuts onto the tray in a single layer, breaking up any clumps.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Take the tray out of the oven and carefully (use tongs so you don't burn yourself) break up any clumps.
- Pop them back into the oven and keep cooking until they are completely dry (about another 20 minutes).
- Leave the nuts to cool completely on the tray then bag/bottle them up and give them away so you don't eat them all.
Claire Cameron says
Very difficult to stop yourself eating the whole batch. I highly recommend packaging them up to give as soon as they're cool.
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says
Your story brought back so many memories of laying in bed with my cousin and having trouble getting to sleep on Christmas eve:) Thank you for that! It made my day! These nuts sound like heaven.. what a perfect gift for your friends!
Claire says
You're very welcome Barbara! Oh how we couldn't wait for Christmas when we were little!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
hehe that's exactly like my cinnamon sugar nut recipe-spooky! I know how good they are too-way too moreish! I also add some salt in them too ;)
Claire says
No way! Great minds! I hadn't thought of adding salt. How good are they?!
Hotly Spiced says
I remember being so excited on Christmas Eve that I couldn't sleep but I wanted to sleep because then the next thing I knew I would be awake on Christmas morning with all my presents! How cute of you and your sister. I love the look of your cinnamon pecans - what a great gift idea! xx
Claire says
Such a dilemma Charlie! I can't wait! x
The Life of Clare says
I've never made spiced nuts but I do love eating them! I love the anticipation of the build up to Christmas! Makes me more and more excited by the day!
Claire says
Me too Clare! Just got home from our first Christmas dinner and now it really feels like Christmas!
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I made spiced nuts for the first time a couple of years ago and, OH MY, they were amazing! And you're right, you can never go wrong with more cinnamon & sugar :) I SO need another day before Christmas this year, sooo behind....
Claire says
It seems everyone is in the same boat this year. Oh well I'm sure we'll all have a ball on Christmas day anyway!