Cinnamon Pecans
As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
These Cinnamon Pecans are everything a good snack should be: crisp, just sweet enough, and full of warm spice. They bake low and slow, which gives them that irresistible crunch and helps the cinnamon-sugar coating stick perfectly to every bite.
Table of Contents
- Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How To Make Cinnamon Pecans
- FAQ
- More Giftable Recipes
If you need a Christmas gift idea that's economical, easy to make, and from the heart, look no further than this cinnamon pecan recipe!
This recipe makes a big batch, so it's great for holiday gifting, entertaining, or just stocking up for the week. They're completely addicting by the handful, but also make a great crunchy topping for salads, sweet potatoes, or roasted veggies.
Once you see how easy they are to make, you'll want to keep them on hand all season long.
Need more gifting ideas? Try this vanilla sugar, homemade moose munch, and chocolate bark!
Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Just six ingredients: You probably already have everything you need.
- Make-ahead friendly: They stay crisp for weeks when stored properly.
- Versatile: Great as a snack, topping, or gift.
- Easy to customize: Works with any nuts you like best.
Ingredients You'll Need
The recipe card at the bottom of the post contains the full list with all of the amounts. Refer to that when you're cooking.
- Pecan halves: Whole or halved, choose fresh nuts for the best crunch.
- Egg whites: Help the sugar-and-spice mixture cling to the nuts and form a crisp coating.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes during baking.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm, cozy flavor throughout.
- Water: Thins the egg white slightly for better coverage.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens the flavor.
How To Make Cinnamon Pecans
This is a super simple recipe that only requires about 10 minutes of prep. And with that, you'll have enough nuts to snack on all season long, plus more for gifting.
- Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment.
- In a large bowl, combine the pecans, egg whites, sugar, cinnamon, water, and salt.
- Stir well until the nuts are evenly coated in the mixture.
- Spread the pecans onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes to ensure even baking.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely-about 20 minutes-until crisp.
- Store in airtight containers or wrap up in gift bags once completely cooled.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
- Switch up the nuts: Almonds, cashews, or walnuts all work great.
- Want a richer flavor? Try adding a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of nutmeg.
- Let them cool fully: The coating firms up as they cool, so be patient!
- Perfect for gifts: Package in clear bags with a ribbon for a simple, homemade treat.
FAQ
Yes! This method works well with most nuts. Just keep the amounts the same and bake as directed.
Once fully cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll keep at room temperature for 4-6 months.
Absolutely. In fact, they're perfect for prepping ahead of time, especially for parties or gifts.
Every year, I put out little bowls of spiced nuts all over the house so guests can snack on them. They're perfect for this type of use!
But I also love to add them to salads. They provide a nice crunch and a hint of sweetness.
They're also really great as a garnish for side dishes or veggies. Try sprinkling some over your roasted sweet potatoes or green beans. So yummy!
But the best use has to be as a homemade gift. If you bake up a big batch of these cinnamon pecans, you'll easily have enough to gift to 6 to 10 of your most favoritest people. Package them in glass jars or clear cellophane bags, and tie with a pretty ribbon.
More Giftable Recipes
- Candied Orange Peel
- Almond Blondies
- Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
- Homemade Marshmallows
- Easy Fudge Recipe
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Homemade Vanilla Extract
- Pumpkin Spice Syrup
- Homemade Toffee
Cinnamon Pecans
Ingredients
- 6 cups (594 g) pecan halves*
- 2 (2) egg whites, (from large eggs)
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat.
- Place the pecans in a large mixing bowl, and add the egg whites, sugar, cinnamon, water, and salt.
- Stir together until all the nuts are coated with the glaze.
- Transfer the pecans to the prepared baking sheet and spread out into an even layer.
- Bake for 90 minutes, then allow to cool until crisp.
- Keep cooled cinnamon pecans in cellophane bags or airtight containers.
I make these every Christmas and give them to my friends as gifts. People are already asking if I am going to make these again! Big hit!!
So happy you like them! Thanks for the great feedback!
My dear friend gifted me some of these for Christmas and now I'm hooked! I asked if she could just cover me up with those in a No. 2 wash tub and let me eat my way out, but she said she probably couldn't get enough pecans for that! Ha! My family has always loved pecans and Daddy always planted pecan trees in the front yard, supposedly for the shade they provide, but he always looked forward to pickin' up those wonderful nuggets every year. Mama never had to buy pecans, but we all had to crack and shell them. No one complained.
Can the sugar be replaced with another sweetener such as splenda or monkfruit?
I have not tried that so I can't say for sure, but feel free to experiment!
These little babes are addicting! Simple and delicious!
What kind do you usually use? Raw? Roasted? Salted?
Great question Julie! I usually buy them roasted and lightly salted- but I really love the salty/sweet combo. So if you're not a fan, you might want to go with the unsalted kind. Thanks!