The sweet and salty goodness of this recipe will have you begging for more. With only a few ingredients and simple steps, these candied nuts are perfect as a snack, a gift, or a garnish to any dish!
Who came up with Candied Pecans?
In case you ever wondered about the origins of candied peanuts, nuts that have a sugary coating typically originate from America or Europe. Candied nuts share similarities with cakes and candy, but the sugar is usually cooked/melted beforehand.
The sugar glaze is usually created by brushing a mixture of egg white, corn syrup, and various spices. Then they are baked until they start to crack in texture.
Candied pecans were popularized during world war two as an alternative for sweets such as chocolates. American troops outside of the country had limited access to candies due to wartime rationing.
Because of this, their families back home would send them packaged cranberry drained pecan halves instead! Nowadays people still pack them up as snacks but they’ve become more of a holiday tradition, which makes candied pecans an EXCELLENT host gift for your holiday party rounds.
What are the best nuts for candying?
This is a matter of preference. I happen to like Pecans since they’re one of the softer nuts, and they just seem easier to come by. You could also candy walnuts or hazelnuts, which makes sense since they’re often used in similar recipes like cookies and cakes.
How many carbs are in Pecans?
Listen I find these questions on Google. Apparently, people that eat nuts want to know how many carbs are in them. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, there are 12 grams of total carbs per 1 ounce serving of pecans. Compared to other nuts, this number is on the lower end (besides almonds).
What do I need to make Keto Candied Pecans?
Ingredients:
- Pecans-
- Cinnamon-
- Salt-
- Erythritol (or Sugar if you don’t need to limit sugar)
How do you make Keto Candied Pecans?
Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Make sure you practice mis-en-place so that you can work quickly. It only takes a few minutes to get these babies going!
Step 1
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Make sure that the ingredients you have on hand are set aside so that you can work quickly.
**Temp Tip**becasue keto candied pecans use Monk fruit or erythritol. These sugar-free sweeteners have a lower melting point than sugar.
Step 2
Mix sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl.
Step 3
Whisk egg white and water together in a separate bowl until frothy. Toss pecans in the egg white mixture.
Step 4
Mix sugar mixture into pecan mixture until pecans are evenly coated. Spread coated pecans onto a baking sheet.
Step 5
First, prepare a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper. This is important to prevent the candied pecans from sticking to the tray.
Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, until pecans are evenly browned, 1 hour. and viola!
Make sure that you let them cool completely and you will have these tasty, healthy, sweet and salty low carb treats!
Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ C Erythritol
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- 8 oz pecan halves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
- line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl.
- Whisk egg white and water together in a separate bowl until frothy. Toss pecans in the egg white mixture.
- Mix sugar mixture into pecan mixture until pecans are evenly coated. Spread coated pecans onto a baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, until pecans are evenly browned, 1 hour.
Nutrition
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Variations:
You can do so much with these! For the holidays, you can add some pumpkin pie spice. If you’re looking for smoky, try smoked paprika. Cayenne pepper adds a KICK. You can even try to add cocoa powder and top with zest of orange. YUM!
I’d LOVE to hear about experimental ways you’re made these candy glazed nuts! LEave your ideas in the comments below!
Serving Suggestions:
These sugar-free candied pecans are so versatile! You can use them as a snack, or chop em up and add some crunch to your favorite cookie recipe. They’re great for salads too. Just top off that healthy veggie salad with candied pecans!
FAQs:
Keep cooled candied nuts in an airtight container. They will last at room temperature for up to 7 days, be refrigerated for a few weeks, and frozen indefinitely if properly labeled.
If the pecans don’t have that hard “brittle” coating on the outside, then they likely did not reach a high enough temperature. If you’re making these with real sugar, you’ll have to bake at a higher temperature than if you use erythritol.
How to tell if shelled pecans are bad? Rancid pecans will often develop a bitter, unpleasant taste. If pecans develop an off odor or taste, or if mold appears, they should be discarded.
Storage Suggestions:
Pecans are a delicious, nutritious nut that is high in healthy fats and protein. They can be enjoyed as an appetizer or part of the main entree for any dish! To maximize their shelf life after opening, store them in a cool dry area place them inside a sealed airtight container.
They are so yummy and a great way to get your family’s holiday treat fix without overloading on sugar. You can use them as an after-dinner snack, or give them away to friends and family members as a sweet Christmas gift. If you’re looking for something new to try this year at Thanksgiving dinner, they make the perfect topping for pies, parfaits, or even salads! What do you think of candied pecans?
More Sweet Stuff:
Meet Jennifer
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