With just 4 simple ingredients, these Maple Syrup Candied Pecans are dangerously irresistible, sweet, crunchy, and oven-roasted to perfection. They make an easy treat, the best ever salad topper, or a thoughtful homemade gift everyone loves to snack on.
"I love putting candies pecans in salads, oatmeal etc! Love that you use maple!" - Linda S
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 40 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 8
- 🍽 Calories: 209 kcals
- 📋 Main Ingredients: Raw pecans, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: These sweet, crunchy pecans are effortless to make and perfect for snacking, gifting, or topping your favorite dishes.
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There are two ways to make candied pecans: stovetop or oven, but for a vegan candied pecans recipe that’s effortless and foolproof, the oven wins every time. Skip the sugar, fire up the oven, and get ready for a snack you absolutely won’t be able to stop eating. These roasted candied pecans come out glossy, golden, and perfectly sweet.
Roasting lets the maple syrup caramelize and “candy” onto each pecan, creating that addictive crunch that elevates everything it touches, like protein frozen yogurt or a bowl blueberry oatmeal. They're sweet, crunchy, and cute for gifting too!
Jump To
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- 💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Flavor Variations
- How To Make Maple Syrup Candied Pecans
- Expert Tips To Make It
- Making Them Into A Homemade Gift
- Maple Syrup Candied Pecans FAQs
- More Healthy Recipes That Pair As Food Gifts
- Maple Candied Pecans (Oven Roasted)
💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: Made with only 4 ingredients and roasted in under 10 minutes, these maple candied pecans couldn't be simpler.
Healthy: Maple with maple syrup instead of classic sugar, these pecans are also dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly.
Versatile: Use them as a salad topper, easy snack, or vary the flavor to create something new!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Maple syrup: In place of brown sugar or coconut sugar, these candied pecans use maple syrup instead! Make sure to use real maple syrup for a deliciously sweet, smoky flavor and not man-made stuff. Coconut syrup could work well here, too.
- Vanilla: The better the vanilla, the better the flavor! If possible, I like to use Madagascar vanilla.
- Pecans: Make sure to use unsalted pecans in their full form whenever possible. If you have extra, use them in something like a nut roast.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Pumpkin pie: Want to enjoy these vegan candied pecans through the fall? Add a dash of pumpkin pie spice along with the cinnamon!
Salted: Want to make the pecans a bit more drool-worthy? Add a bit of sea salt for a salted, caramel-like twist! Pair them with carrot cake collagen cookies around Easter and watch everyone stand right next to the table for the night.
Sweet and Spicy: If you like a kick of heat for contrast, toss the pecans with some red pepper flakes or the very smallest sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
How To Make Maple Syrup Candied Pecans
Step 1: Whisk to combine the maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Step 2: Pour the sweetened syrup over the pecans and stir until they’re coated.
Step 3: Spread the pecans flat and bake, stirring halfway through. Let cool fully on the pan.
Expert Tips To Make It
It’s easy to burn nuts in the oven when roasting. So, make sure not to overcook the vegan candied pecans and keep an eye on them for the last 1-2 minutes.
The pecans harden when cooling. Let them cool fully in the pan so that you don’t miss out on the “crunchy” texture.
Some of the syrup will be caramelized onto the pan and look as if it’s burning, while cooking- this is normal.
Store: To store maple candied pecans, let them cool fully and then store them in a jar at room temperature for up to a week or in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.
Making Them Into A Homemade Gift
These easy candied pecans not only make a tasty snack for you, but they also make a thoughtful homemade gift!)
Once cooled, portion the pecans into a mini mason jar and top it off with some twine and a cute note.
Maple Syrup Candied Pecans FAQs
If the pecans have not been cooked long enough, the sugars will not fully evaporate, which will leave the pecans feeling sticky rather than crunchy.
Traditional vegan candied pecans are made with a sugar coating and should be eaten in moderation for special occasions. Candied pecans made with honey or maple syrup are still sugar-based but normally slightly healthier.
If the vegan candied pecans have not been cooked long enough in the oven often they will come out soft. This is because there is so much liquid coating that the syrup does not have time to "candy" or burn off. Likewise, the pecans need to sit for thirty full minutes in order to crunch up.
Candied pecans will last on the countertop for roughly one week. In an airtight container in the fridge, they will last 4-6 weeks.
Though most stovetop candied pecans are made with coconut sugar or brown sugar, that may not work for this recipe. These pecans require the syrup to crystallize and candy in the oven as it burns off and powdered sugar won't have the same effect.
Store-bought candied pecans may not be gluten-free, as some companies will use a flour or additive to help them be more shelf-stable. When making your own candied pecans, they can easily be gluten-free.
More Healthy Recipes That Pair As Food Gifts
If you tried this Maple Candied Pecans Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Maple Candied Pecans (Oven Roasted)
Video
Equipment
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 cups Pecans
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Farhenheit.
- In a small bowl, combine the syrup, cinnamon and vanilla. Whisk well.
- Place the pecans into a large bowl.
- Pour the syrup mixture over the pecans and mix to combine.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread the pecans on the tray until they are all laying flat. Try not to overlap them.
- Bake for 6 minutes. Remove from oven, stir the pecans (making sure they are laying flat again) and bake for 2-3 more minutes. You want the maple syrup to be bubbling but not burnt.
- Leave to cool on the pan for 30 minutes and they will harden.
Notes
- It’s easy to burn nuts in the oven when roasting. So, make sure to not overcook the pecans and keep an eye on them for the last 1-2 minutes. However, you want the maple syrup to be bubbling a bit at the end as this is what candies them!
- The pecans harden when cooling. Thus, make sure to let them cool fully on the pan so that you don’t miss out on the “crunchy” texture.
- Some of the maple syrup will be caramelized onto the pan and look as if it’s burning while cookies- this is normal.
- Make sure to use pure maple syrup and not a fake version like Aunt Jemima. Real maple syrup will give a candied flavor to the pecans. Likewise, the natural sugars in the sugars will evaporate slightly and harden onto the pecans.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Shelby S says
These work as a snack, salad topper, or just to have on the table before a Holiday dinner. They're so delicious and I can never make enough!
Michelle says
What temperature do you bake them at?
fitasamamabear says
Super sorry! When I updated the recipe card I deleted the line, 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
I mean - how easy are these?!! Totally making them!
fitasamamabear says
Haha easy yes. Addictive. Yes. You've been warned 😉
Emily says
I love your version, they're so yummy! Maple sweetened is the best! These are so great for the upcoming holidays and chillier months.
fitasamamabear says
Yummy yes, but so freaking addictive! Next thing you know, you've consumed about 1100kcals lol
Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama says
I am actually going to use this recipe in my daughter's class next week! I was stuck trying to figure out what a bunch of 6-12 year olds could all make and this is perfect! Thank you!
fitasamamabear says
Oh yay! This literally makes my day 😀 let me know how they like them! My toddler helped me with our (third haha) batch and it was perfect because they're so simple!
linda spiker says
I love putting candies pecans in salads, oatmeal etc! Love that you use maple!
fitasamamabear says
mmm in salads they're so freaking perfect! Sometimes I think I live off of maple syrup though...
Raia Todd says
Only four ingredients?! I can do that! Especially if one of the ingredients is maple syrup... 😉
fitasamamabear says
Haha right? Simple is a necessity.