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This is the easiest recipe for Sugared Pecans! Just 4 simple ingredients: pecans, egg whites, sugar and salt. Raw pecan halves are tossed in a frothy meringue and baked in a low oven until perfectly crisp and delicious. So versatile! Perfect for snacking (look out, they’re addictive!), or for topping salads and desserts or packaged up as an edible gift.

Sugared Pecans served in a black bowl
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I paid $8 for my first handful of sugar coated pecans. They were called “Mashuga Nuts” and it was a moment of weakness I admit, but the odds were against me: it was too late to leave the hotel room; the movie was great; the sweet cravings were unbearable; the minibar snack basket beckoned.

Mashuga Nuts is a brand name, but the word ‘Mashuga’ is Yiddish for ‘Crazy’. Which seems appropriate since pecans coated in snappy sugar are crazy good. Too much? Sorry.

I came home inspired to make my own version, but I never expected it to be so easy.

More Edible Gift Ideas

During the holidays, I love to make batches of these sugared nuts and package them up with an assortment of cookies (Butter Cookies, Soft Sugar Cookies, Cowboy Cookies, Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies) as holiday gifts for neighbors and friends. Or simply pile the nuts into a little glass jar and tie with a ribbon for a perfect host / hostess gift!

Sugared Pecans in a white square bowl with tissue and ribbon

FAQ

How long can you store candied pecans?

You can store candied pecans (sugared pecans) in and airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Recipe Options

  • To add vanilla flavor, whisk 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the egg white and sugar mixture.
  • Add some spice with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or some heat with a pinch of cayenne.

How to make Sugared Pecans

Step 1: Whisk egg whites until frothy. Whisk in sugar and salt. Add pecans and stir to coat evenly.

whisking meringue
adding pecan halves to meringue
pecan halves coated in meringue

Step 2: Spread coated pecans in an even layer on parchment lined baking sheet.

placing meringue coated pecans onto baking sheet
spreading coated pecans into a single layer

Step 3: Bake at 250˚F for 45 minutes, gently stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside until completely cool before serving. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

stirring baked sugared pecans

Sugared Pecans

5 from 14 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 221
Servings: 16 servings
Sugared Pecans are easy to make and deliciously addictive! Delicious for snacking and as a sweet and crunchy topping for salads or desserts. And a perfect edible gift for the holidays!

Video

Ingredients  

  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 cups raw pecan halves

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 250°F.
  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk egg whites until smooth and foamy. Whisk in sugar and salt. Add pecans and stir to coat evenly.
  • Pour coated pecans onto prepared baking sheet and spread into a single layer with a rubber spatula. 
  • Bake, stirring gently every 15 minutes, for 45 minutes total, until coating is a light golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

Notes

  1. I like to use superfine sugar for this recipe, but standard granulated sugar works fine too.
  2. Makes 4 Cups or 16, 1-ounce servings

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 107mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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55 Comments

  1. Cath says:

    5 stars
    Totally addictive! I have been “told” these sugared pecans must become part of our families Christmas tradition. I put just a little less sugar than the recipe calls for as that is a personal preference. These also make lovely little gifts for neighbors, mail carrier, friends. Thank you so much for the recipe. Tip* if you can’t find super fine sugar, you can make your own with regular sugar. A cup at a time for 3 seconds in the blender and you’ll have super fine sugar. Don’t over blend.

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      Hi Cath! So glad you’re enjoying these and that you made the recipe your own! And thank you for your cooking notes.

  2. Lynn says:

    Oh and Iโ€™d like to add that I roast the pecans in the oven first to enhance the flavor of the nuts. They must be cooled completely before putting them in the meringue mixture.

  3. Lynn says:

    5 stars
    I found an almost identical recipe to this a bunch of years ago. I changed it up a bit by using both white and brown sugar, cinnamon and fresh ground nutmeg. Iโ€™m a northern gal who never even saw a pecan in the shell until I move to the Deep South 14 years ago. I made these and shared with my southern friends who said they were the BEST candied pecans theyโ€™ve EVER had!! It was quite the compliment I must say!

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      aww I love this, Lynn! So glad these were a hit with you and your friends and that you made them your own.

  4. Dennis Yannakos says:

    Wow, thank you so much for the idea! It makes the perfect holiday gift for friends and neighbors!

  5. Valentina says:

    5 stars
    Oh I love the idea of adding a handful of these to a sweet gift goodie bag. Who wouldn’t want to be your friend or neighbor!? Love the story about the mini bar. Those treats are always so tempting! ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Valentina

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      aww, thank you, Valentina!

  6. David @ Spiced says:

    5 stars
    I absolutely love sugared pecans, and I can see why you had a moment of weakness when these were staring you in the face! But homemade is always better, and I’m guessing this batch of pecans didn’t last long in your house! They look delicious!

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      Thanks, David!

  7. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says:

    5 stars
    Such a fabulous, easy recipe for holiday gifting Marissa! I LOVE pecans too, so I’ll need to gift some to myself this season!

    1. Marissa Stevens says:

      haha, love you how think, Mary Ann!

  8. Victoria E Meredith says:

    I’m diabetic and generally avoid sugar and flour. These would be super easy to make low carb just by using allulose instead of sugar! You’d have to use a bit more, as it’s not quite as sweet as regular sugar. An erythrytol blend would probably work, too, but it’d take longer for the sweetener to recrystalize. I think I just may experiment today…. Thanks for the idea!

    1. Marissa says:

      Hi Victoria! Thanks for you kind comment. I hope your pecans turn out wonderfully!

      1. Victoria E Meredith says:

        5 stars
        I’ve just made a full batch of sugared (for a gift) and a half batch of sugarless. The sugar-free is in the oven right now, but I have high hopes! I used 1 egg white, 1/2 c. allulose, 6 packets of Lakanto sweetener (monk fruit), 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, and 2 cups of pecans. I sneaked and tasted the “batter” before baking, and it was indistinguishable from the actual sugar one….

  9. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says:

    5 stars
    I had no idea sugared pecans could be so easy to make! You’re right, they are perfect for gifting or adding to cookie trays around the holidays. And I would most definitely sprinkle a few on my salads! Thanks for sharing Marissa!

    1. Marissa says:

      My pleasure, Leanne! Thank you so much!

  10. Dorothy Dunton says:

    Hi Marissa! My favorite nuts are pecans. I like to make spicy/sweet ones as gifts at Christmas. Now I have another recipe for gift giving, if I don’t eat them all myself! ๐Ÿ™‚ Homemade food gifts are always a welcome present!

    1. Marissa says:

      Hi Dorothy! I didn’t know that about you! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Pecans are wonderful! I bet your spicy/sweet version is delicious too!

  11. Katherine | Love In My Oven says:

    This recipe is so dangerous, Marissa. I have a hard time controlling myself around nuts as it is, but sugared pecans!? Total weakness. I would have to gift them all right away haha! I can’t wait to try your recipe this holiday season!!

    1. Marissa says:

      haha, Katherine, I’m right there with you! Excited for you to try these!

  12. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says:

    5 stars
    Oh, I’ve certainly tried sugared pecans before, but I’m not familiar with this method. Covering nuts in foamy muxture which turns into a tiny meringue layer is such a delicious (and you’re right, crazy delicious) idea. I’d like to give this a try but I’m afraid that I’d gobble up the entire batch within like 2 or 3 minutes haha. Well done!

    1. Marissa says:

      They do go down easy, I’ll admit. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Thanks so much, Ben!

  13. Karen (Back Road Journal) says:

    I remember when you first posted this recipe…I can testify as to not only how easy they are to prepare but how quickly they disappear. ๐Ÿ˜€

    1. Marissa says:

      aww, thanks so much, Karen!