Keto Candied Pecans Recipe – Low Carb Yum

December 12, 2024

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By The Low Carb Cook · Dec 11, 2024 · 1 Comment

Learn how to make keto candied pecans baked in a crunchy sugar coating with just a pinch of cinnamon! This holiday classic is 100% keto-friendly, made with smart alternatives for a sweet snack without the extra carbs.

Why you’ll love this keto candied pecans recipe

My easy candied pecans are a keto version of a holiday favorite!
These candied nuts are sweet and yummy without any added sugars.
The cinnamon sugar coating makes these candied nuts taste just like Christmas.
Baking candied pecans is quick and easy for a delicious snack on a whim!
My secret ingredient (shhh – vanilla extract) adds an incredible, baked-good flavor to these nuts.
You can add these candied pecans to your favorite holiday desserts, from ice cream to pumpkin pie.
Bundle up a bag of these candied nuts for an easy (and delicious) holiday gift.

cinnamon and sugar alternative coated nuts

Ingredients needed for candied pecans

Here’s everything that goes into this sweet holiday treat:

Pecans

Fresh pecans are delicious on their own. But the candied version is a whole lot sweeter! I use pecan halves for their low carb count and satisfying crunch.

Sugar substitute

To keep things low-carb, this recipe calls for a granulated sugar substitute made from erythritol or stevia.

You can also use a brown sugar substitute for a richer, more complex flavor. I’m partial to the Swerve sugar-free sweeteners for their wide selection.

Unsalted butter

Melted, unsalted butter helps the cinnamon sugar mixture adhere to the pecans, adds good fat content, and is just plain yummy.

Vanilla extract

The vanilla extract gives these candied pecans that classic baked-good flavor that we know and love.

Cinnamon

Ground cinnamon is an optional addition, though I highly recommend it! It makes this snack taste like the holidays.

Holiday baking tips

Adjust the amount of sweetener you use depending on your sweet tooth; they’re delicious no matter how much sweetener you add!
Include an optional pinch of cinnamon for the best flavor possible.
For an even browning, make sure to stir your pecans about halfway through their baking time.

How to make candied pecans from scratch

Ready to get baking? Here’s how to make my iconic keto candied pecans:

Note: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Then, take a minute to line your baking sheet with a bit of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat so that it’s ready to go.

Step 1: Mix the coating

Combine your melted butter, sugar substitute, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon in a mixing bowl, stirring well.

butter, vanilla, sweetener and cinnamon in a pot

Step 2: Coat the pecan halves and bake

Now, add your pecan halves to your prepared mixture and toss them until each piece is nice and coated.

Step 3: Bake in the oven

Spread the pecans along the prepared baking sheet, taking care to make sure they’re in a single row; this will give you the most even bake.

Then, pop your tray in the oven and bake! Stir about halfway through, keeping your eye on them; they burn easily when over-baked.

Step 4: Let cool and serve

You’ll know your pecans are finishing baking when they’re a lovely golden brown and smell delicious.

Remove them from the oven, letting them cool and harden.

Wait until they’re cooled completely. Then, store candied pecans in an airtight container.

Or, get munching!

How to serve holiday candied pecans

These keto candied pecans make a delicious snack food right on their own! They also make an exciting topping for a variety of holiday desserts.

Use them to top pies like my yellow squash pie, keto pumpkin pie, or chocolate dream pie.

I also love using these pecans as an ice cream topping. They’re delicious on my sun butter sugar-free ice cream, keto butter pecan ice cream, or almond milk ice cream, complete with a healthy drizzle of keto peanut butter sauce.

Recipe variations

Consider adding more spices like nutmeg, cloves, and ginger for a holiday masterpiece!
Try making this recipe with other nuts like almonds, walnuts, and more.
For a satisfying heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your cinnamon sugar mixture.
Include egg white in your pecan coating for an even crunchier texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the questions I hear the most about my keto candied pecans recipe. If you don’t see your questions answered here, please leave them for me in the comments below.

Why are my candied pecans sticky?

If you find your candied pecans aren’t hardening completely and are unpleasantly sticky, it’s time to troubleshoot.

Some reasons for sticky pecans include:
– The nuts were stored before cooling completely.
– There is too much sugar coating on the pecans.
– You need to bake your pecans a little longer.
– Your pecans are stored in a humid or warm place.

How long do candied pecans keep?

One of the best parts of my candied pecans recipe is their long shelf life!
You can safely store these nuts in an airtight container for several weeks at room temperature.

For long-term storage, you can extend their shelf life by refrigerating or freezing them. If you choose to freeze this sweet treat, you can rejuvenate frozen pecans by adding them to an air fryer for just a few minutes.

What kinds of nuts are keto?

In general, nuts make a good keto food because they’re high in healthy fats, add good protein to your diet, and have limited carbs. With that said, not all nuts are built the same!

Cashews and pistachios, for example, have high carb counts and aren’t great for keto diets.

Better nuts include pecans (4g net carbs/100g), Brazil nuts (4g net carbs/100g), and macadamia nuts (5g net carbs/100g).

For more information on keto nuts, read my post on The Best Nuts For Keto Diet.

Like this keto candied pecans recipe? Try these!

Inspired by this holiday favorite? Try these delicious seasonal desserts:

Recipe

Keto Candied Pecans

Learn how to make candied pecans baked in a crunchy sugar coating with just a pinch of cinnamon! This holiday classic is 100% keto-friendly, made with smart alternatives for a sweet snack without the extra carbs.

Prep Time:5 minutes

Cook Time:15 minutes

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set it aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar substitute, vanilla extract and ground cinnamon (if using). Mix well to create a sticky and sweet coating.
Add the pecan halves to the bowl and toss them in the mixture until they are fully coated.
Spread the coated pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
Once the pecans are golden brown and fragrant, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet.
As they cool, the coating will harden, creating a delicious candied texture.
Once completely cooled, you can store the Keto Candied Pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for several weeks.

Notes

Make sure to use a granulated sugar substitute that is suitable for keto diets, such as erythritol or stevia.
You can adjust the amount of sweetener according to your taste preferences. Add more or less depending on how sweet you want the pecans to be.
The ground cinnamon is optional but adds a nice flavor to the candied pecans. Feel free to omit it if you prefer.
Stir the pecans halfway through the baking time to ensure even browning and coating.

Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart

Nutrition

Additional Info

Net Carbs:
2
g

|

% Carbs:
3.3
%

|

% Protein:
4.9
%

|

% Fat:
91.8
%

|

SmartPoints:
8

Values

Array
(
    [serving_unit] => cup
    [calories] => 240
    [carbohydrates] => 5
    [protein] => 3
    [fat] => 25
    [serving_size] => 0.25
    [saturated_fat] => 4
    [cholesterol] => 10
    [sodium] => 2
    [potassium] => 100
    [fiber] => 3
    [sugar] => 1
    [calcium] => 20
    [iron] => 1
)

Notes on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

Copyright

© LowCarbYum.com – Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.

Post updated December 1, 2024, with new images and additional recipe information. First published on December 5, 2023.