Air Fryer Candied Pecans - Sweet and spicy recipe with perfectly balanced flavors of sugar and spice that you're gonna love.
This delicious snack has the perfect crunch for salads, are a tasty add to charcuterie boards, and make amazing gifts to share with your friends during the holiday season.
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This quick snack is an easy recipe made from simple ingredients you probably already have on hand in the kitchen. All you need for this small-batch recipe are some raw pecan halves, and some sugar and spice, and you'll be good to go. Don't have an air fryer? No worries. We'll show you how to make them in the oven, too.
Be sure to check out out other easy appetizer recipes like our Crispy Roasted Chickpeas.
This recipe was inspired by a recipe by Chef Franklin Biggs from Homewood, Alabama. We have adapted his Sweet And Spicy Pecans Recipe for the air fryer.
Air Fryer Candied Pecans
- water
- granulated white sugar
- raw pecans - raw pecan halves
- chili powder
- ground cayenne pepper - ground red pepper
Equipment
- Air Fryer - We use this one from Ninja. We chose it for the shape of its basket and the fact that it has over 39,000 five star ratings. It's an easy air fryer to use and we love it!
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Spoons
- Parchment Paper Liner - We like to use these handy round liners that fit perfectly inside the air fryer basket. They help avoid the sticky mess and keeps the fryer nice and clean.
Step By Step Instructions
Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Make Simple Syrup. Mix warm water and sugar together until sugar has completely dissolved in the water.
- Soak Nuts. Add raw pecan halves to the simple syrup and soak them for 5 minutes.
Note: Soaking them longer will make them softer.
- Drain Nuts. Drain the pecans in a small fine mesh strainer, give them a gentle toss or two in the strainer to help remove excess water.
- Make Sugar Mixture. In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and spices together until the spices are evenly disbursed and well-combined.
- Coat Nuts. Coat the raw pecans with the sugar mixture and toss to combine, making sure they are coated evenly.
- Air Fry. After the air fryer has been preheated to 350° degrees f, line the inside of the basket with a parchment paper liner. Then place the coated pecans in a single layer inside the parchment paper liner in the lined basket. Air fry for 3 minutes.
- Turn. Turn them over in the basket so that they cook evenly. Using kitchen tongs, gently grab and release the nuts to turn them.
- Air Fry A Second Time. Air fry them for another 2 minutes. During the additional time air frying, the flavors will open up and you'll be able to smell the fragrance of the warmed nuts and spices.
- Remove From Basket. Using kitchen tongs, remove the them from the basket. Place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet that has been lined with aluminum foil or a piece of parchment paper to cool.
- Store. Once they have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. We recommend using a simple mason jar like the ones we use here.
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Oven Roasted Candied Pecans
Want to make them in the oven instead? Just spread the nut mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been lined with a sheet of parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roast them in the oven for 5 minutes and turn them. Then roast them for another 5 minutes. Pull the baking sheet out of the oven and set it on the counter to cool. Then store them according to the recipe instructions.
Substitutions And Variations
This tasty recipe makes sweet and spicy pecans with a nice balance of sweet and heat. But feel free to experiment with the flavor profile to suit your tastes.
Want them spicier? Add a little more heat by doubling the chili powder and cayenne pepper.
Want them sweeter? Try these substitutions and variations:
- Vary Ingredient Amounts - Reduce the amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper. But keep the other ingredient amounts the same.
- Cinnamon Sugar Pecans - Eliminate the chili powder and cayenne pepper and sweeten them up by adding ground cinnamon and sugar or a little sweet maple syrup.
Cinnamon Sugar Almonds - Substitute raw almonds to make the cinnamon sugar almonds you find at the baseball park. Just add a little egg white to the simple syrup and whisk it until it is frothy. Then soak the almonds in the mixture. This will help the cinnamon and sugar to adhere to the almonds and create a sweet candy coating.
Recipe FAQS
Pralines typically contain milk and butter. Candied pecans typically do not.
They should be stored in a sealed container in a cool, dark place to avoid turning rancid. They can be stored in a pantry at room temperature. But if the temperatures get too warm, refrigerate them or put them in the freezer.
This is a gluten-free nut recipe. However, is important to take responsibility for your own health. Make sure to read every nutrition label, research the ingredients you consume and learn how they are processed.
They can last for a few weeks at room temperature, a month in the refrigerator, and a year or two in the freezer.
Serving Suggestions
Air Fryer Pecans are a great snack on the go. They also have the perfect crunch for salads, like our Copycat Panera Greek Salad. And are a tasty add to charcuterie boards, like our Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Recipe. Put them in some little bags or a mason jar, put a pretty ribbon on it, and they make a great gift to share with your friends during the holiday season or any time of year.
There you have it. Air Fryer Candied Pecans are as easy as that to make! We hope you enjoy our super simple, super tasty recipe. Try it and let us know how you like it. We'd love to hear from you!
xo ~ Seanna
More Appetizer Recipes
- Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board - Add Air Fryer Pecans to this tasty grazing board.
- Chili Cheese Dip - This crowd pleasing hot party dip satisfies that chip and dip craving every time.
- Homemade Focaccia Bread - Perfect addition to a charcuterie board.
- White Queso Dip - cheesy and delicious, with the best flavor, just like you get at your favorite Mexican restaurants.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 cup water warm
- ¼ cup sugar granulated white
- 1 cup pecan halves raw
- 2 tablespoons sugar granulated white
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper ground
Instructions
Preheat air fryer to 350°F. (See Note of Caution below.)
- Make Simple Syrup. Mix warm water and sugar together until sugar has completely dissolved in the water. Simple way to heat the water is for 2 minutes in the microwave. That will be enough to dissolve the sugar.1 cup water, ¼ cup sugar
- Soak. Add raw pecan halves to the simple syrup and soak them for 5 minutes.1 cup pecan halves
- Drain. Drain the pecans in a small fine mesh strainer, give them a gentle toss or two in the strainer to help remove excess water.
- Make Sugar Mixture. In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and spices together until the spices are evenly disbursed and well-combined.2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon chili powder, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Coat. Coat the raw pecans with the sugar mixture and toss to combine, making sure they are coated evenly.
- Air Fry. After the fryer has been preheated to 350°F, line the inside of the basket with a parchment paper liner. Then place the coated pecans in a single layer inside the parchment paper liner in the basket. Air fry for 3 minutes. (See note below)
- Turn. Turn the pecans over in the basket so that they cook evenly. Using kitchen tongs, gently grab and release the pecans to turn them.
- Air Fry A Second Time. Fry the pecans for another 2 minutes. During the additional time, the flavors will open up and you'll be able to smell the fragrance of the warmed nuts and spices.
- Remove From Basket. Using kitchen tongs, remove the candied pecans from the basket. Place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet that has been lined with aluminum foil or a piece of parchment paper to cool.
- Store. Once they have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. We recommend using a simple mason jar like the ones we use here.
Notes
Want to make them in the oven instead?
Just spread the nut mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been lined with a sheet of parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roast them in the oven for 5 minutes and turn them. Then roast them for another 5 minutes. Pull the baking sheet out of the oven and set it on the counter to cool. Then store them according to the recipe instructions.Are Candied Pecans Gluten-Free?
This is a gluten-free nut recipe. However, is important to take responsibility for your own health. Make sure to read every nutrition label, research the ingredients you consume and learn how they are processed.✳️ Caution: Lining Air Fryer Basket
Do not line an empty air fryer basket or the parchment paper liner may fly up into the heating element and catch fire. Wait to line the basket until after it has been preheated and you are ready to add the nuts to the basket. Always follow the air fryer safety precautions listed in the manufacturer's instruction book for your air fryer.Substitutions and Variations
This Air fryer Candied Pecans recipe makes sweet and spicy nuts with a nice balance of sweet and heat. But feel free to experiment with the flavor profile to suit your tastes. Want them crunchier? Soak for less time to make the nuts crunchier. Less crunchy? Soaking nuts for longer, will make them softer. Want them spicier? Add a little more heat by doubling the chili powder and cayenne pepper. Sweeter?- Vary Ingredient Amounts - Reduce the amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper. But keep the other ingredient amounts the same.
- Cinnamon Sugar Pecans - Eliminate the chili powder and cayenne pepper and sweeten them up by adding ground cinnamon and sugar or a little sweet maple syrup.
How To Store Them
Store in a cool, dark place to avoid turning rancid. They can be stored in a pantry at room temperature. But if the temperatures get too warm, refrigerate them or put them in the freezer.How Long Do Candied Pecans Last?
They can last for a few weeks at room temperature, a month in the refrigerator, and a year or two in the freezer.How To Use Them
Air Fryer Candied Pecans are the perfect snack for on the go, they're also great to put in salads, are a tasty add to charcuterie boards, and make amazing gifts to share with your friends during the holiday season.Nutrition
Did you love this recipe? If you make this recipe and love it, stop back, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Seanna's Kitchen and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and subscribe to my Newsletter for ALL the latest recipes! We'd love to hear from you!
Will says
These are great!
Seanna Borrows says
Thanks Will! You're the best!
Lynn Tyler says
Love this recipe. Works great in my airfryer. And thanks for all the tips!
Jessica Robinson says
These pecans are beyond amazing with flavor and the perfect holiday snack or DIY gift. Loved this simple to follow recipe.
Seanna Borrows says
Thanks so much!
Seanna Borrows says
Thanks so much! They are yummy!
Russ B says
Great snack!
Seanna Borrows says
I know you like them!
Megan says
My mind is blown right now! I never dreamed of frying pecans in an air fryer but YUM!!!!
Seanna Borrows says
Thanks Megan! They're so tasty and are great to have on hand for salads and charcuterie boards.