Candied Pecans and Almonds Recipe
A deliciously sweet and spiced recipe for candied pecans and almonds, coated with a frothy mixture of egg white and warm spices, then baked low and slow to achieve a crunchy, caramelized finish. Perfect for snacking, gifting, or adding a sweet crunch to salads and desserts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Nuts
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted pecans
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted almonds
Binding Mixture
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Coating Mixture
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) to prepare for slow baking the nuts.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Lightly grease a nonstick sheet pan with cooking spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Egg White Coating: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white, water, and vanilla extract until frothy. This mixture will help the sugar and spices stick to the nuts.
- Coat Nuts: Add the pecans and almonds to the egg white mixture and stir well to ensure all nuts are evenly coated.
- Combine Sugar and Spices: In a separate bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, light brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and the optional cayenne for a touch of heat.
- Coat Nuts with Sugar Mixture: Pour the sugar and spice mixture over the coated nuts and stir thoroughly until the nuts are completely covered.
- Spread on Baking Sheet: Spread the coated nuts in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet to ensure even cooking.
- Bake and Stir: Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent burning and ensure even candied coating.
- Cool: Remove the nuts from the oven, give them a final stir, then allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing. Cooling helps the coating set and the nuts to become crisp.
Notes
- Ensure to stir the nuts every 15 minutes during baking to avoid burning and promote even caramelization.
- Use unsalted nuts to control the salt level in the final dish.
- The optional pinch of cayenne adds a subtle spicy kick; omit if you prefer purely sweet flavors.
- Store cooled candied nuts in an airtight container to maintain their crispness for up to 2 weeks.
- This recipe is ideal for gifting during holidays or as a snack topping for salads and desserts.
Keywords: candied nuts, pecans, almonds, sweet snacks, spiced nuts, homemade candy nuts
Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/candied-pecans-and-almonds-recipe/
