With the holidays coming up, I thought I'd make something simple to make and can easily be made into a cheap and delicious gift. You can put these on top of cookies, in salads, in oatmeal or yogurt, Greek yogurt of course!
The possibilities are endless.
Pecans are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals. They contain healthy fat (monounsaturated fatty acids) and can help lower cholesterol.
Yes, they are good for you, but once you put all this deliciousness on them, they are higher in calories. Trust me, you make these once and you will want to make them over and over again.
Be careful. You can't stop at a few.
At least I can't. Everything in moderation.
I know, you're saying, "Here she goes again with that moderation nonsense" but it's true.
Eat what you want in small amounts. No deprivation.
Deprivation leads to mindless eating and possibly overeating which can be a vicious cycle.
Just make smart choices. I know, it's easier said than done.
Especially around the holidays!
Why does it seem like everywhere I turn there are sore snacks, treats, cookies and cocktails during the holiday season?
It doesn't help that I bake 12-15 dozen different cookies every year. I love it!
It really brings me joy to bake, especially during the holidays. I give about ¾ as gifts and the rest to my family on Christmas Eve.
We usually have a party at my house and the Kelly family loved their cookies. It makes me happy.
These candied pecans are so simple to make and are great to give as an easy, homemade holiday gift.
I love giving and getting homemade gifts, who's with me? Especially ones that are as delicious as these pecans.
You can easily make these sugar free by substituting your favorite sugar free sweetener for the maple syrup. It's really that easy.
I made them recently with monk fruit instead of maple syrup and they were insanely delicious.
And low carb, Keto and sugar free.
They make the perfect low carb snack.
A dangerously delicious, addictive low carb snack.
The perfect combination of sweet and salty. You can never wrong with sweet and salty.
When I have given these as a holiday gift I put them in cute little mason jars and tie a cute ribbon around the. Adorable presentation and super easy!
By the way, Target is selling cute mason jars for the holidays. I saw red and green ones, but they even had adorable ones with snowflakes and gingerbread men.
Now THOSE would make super cute gifts! I love Target.
Ok, back to these pecans...
Yes these are perfect as a snack or even a treat or dessert, but you can also add them to oatmeal, salads like my Arugula Beet Salad with Candied Pecans and Gorgonzola Cheese or top them on my Gluten Free Pecan Pie.
It's time to get creative. Just because these are ridiculously simple to make doesn't mean you still can't make them fancier.
No one has to know how easy they are to prepare. It will be our secret.
But all bets are off when they ask for the recipe. And trust me, they always ask for this recipe.
Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pecan pieces roughly 2 cups
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup 100% maple syrup or sugar free sweetener of choice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
- Place pecans on a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat on top.
- Roast pecans for 5 minutes. Remove from oven.
- Place the remaining ingredients into a small bowl and mix well. Add toasted pecans and maple syrup mixture to a resealable plastic bag and shake to coat thoroughly.
- Bake is preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until browned, making sure to stir frequently. Allow to cool for a few minutes and break apart. Your house will smell amazing!
Julia
I go through an unreasonable amount of these pecans. I snack on them, use them for charcuterie boards, and put them into salads. I love this recipe because they turned out so much better than store bought ones that also break the bank!
Jessica
I can't stop eating these! Haha! Such the perfect snack, and so easy to make!
Kristyn
I love snacking on these! We make them a lot for gifts, but always leave some behind for us. They are irresistible!
LindaLee
Absolutely delicious!!
I made these around 7 AM this morning. So easy and yummy!! I am going to load up on pecans and make more to send out as New Year’s treats!
Thanks Lauren! You’re recipes never disappoint!!
Betsy
Addictive! These nuts are so good! I love to add these to salad, Cheerios, and ice cream 😉 ... lol.... all in moderation, right? But seriously, let's talk about those Cheerios... I have to be on a low FODMAP diet for health reasons. Cheerios are a low FODMAP rockstar, and if I use maple syrup for these addictive nuts, they are, too! Putting them in my Cheerios really amps up a somewhat boring breakfast! I love it!!!
Kristyn
Love munching on candied pecans!! They also make a great gift! They couldn't be any easier to make!
Katie
These are one of my favorite things to throw on a spinach and fruit salad. Adds such yummy warm flavors!
Kendel Lallyson
Thanks for the post. We want more!
lauren.kelly
Thanks for stopping by!
Debbie
These candied pecans look delicious! You mentioned you used coconut oil but I don’t see that in the recipe?
I am anxious to make these!
Debbie
These candied pecans are delicious! i have made 4 batches so far. I am giving some away for Xmas. They are going to be a big hit! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Bethany
Great recipe. So many of the others call for sugar and butter or one even corn syrup. This were a huge success except for the part where they were supposed to be Christmas gifts and I ate half the batch. Working on batch 2 now. Hope I can have some self control. My family will love these. Thank you!
lauren.kelly
Awesome Bethany! I did warn you that they were addictive 🙂 So glad you enjoyed them! Happy Holidays!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files
I have been wanting to make healthier candied pecans! Thanks for solving that problem for me 🙂
Melanie | Melanie Makes
These sound totally addictive, Lauren!
Mallory @ Chocolate with Grace
Candied pecans are my favorite. So utterly addicting!
vicki
These are wonderful! Thanks for sharing 🙂
lauren.kelly
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂