Keto candied pecans are sugar free, delicious, and make the perfect gift. You can enjoy them as-is or sprinkle on everything from salads and casseroles, to keto ice cream and keto pancakes.
They are also incredibly easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients and will have your house smelling amazing. The recipe is naturally gluten-free, paleo and vegan.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Candied Pecans are sweet and salty, with the warmth of cinnamon, making them the ultimate keto snack.
This recipe is made on the stovetop, using just one pan. Making cleanup a breeze.
We like to mix them into trail mixes and serve them on top of arugula salad with a bit of goat cheese and olive oil. Delish.
We always love making up a few batches at the end of the year. They are fun holiday gifts. Candied nuts are also delicious on a Keto Charcuterie Board
Key ingredients
Sweetener - For this recipe we used Lakanto's granulated monk fruit sweetener. Liquid sweetener isn't recommended.
Salt - We use a touch of salt to help balance the other flavors.
Cinnamon - A must in our opinion. These will smell so good while they're cooking on the stove.
Pecans - We like to use pecan halves but you can use whole pecans or pecan pieces. Make sure you are using raw pecan halves, and not seasoned or salted ones.
If you have any questions, please leave it in the comment below and someone will get back to you.
These keto candied pecans taste great anytime of the year as a sweet snack, or sprinkled on keto ice cream, keto pancakes and more.
Variations
Use different nuts - If pecans aren’t your favorite, you could also use this recipe to make candied walnuts, almonds, peanuts, macadamia or whatever other candied nuts sound good.
Add a little spice - Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne for a little kick.
Add different herbs or spices - Feel free to also add any other warming spices like cardamom, ginger, nutmeg or cloves. Use pumpkin spice or apple pie spice for a festive fall treat.
Add some chocolate - After your candied pecans have cooled, drizzle them with melted sugar-free chocolate like Lilly's. Now you have a really decadent treat.
How to make keto candied pecans
- Combine all of the ingredients, except the pecans, in a small to medium sized skillet and cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, or until the sweetener dissolves and the mixture is bubbling.
- Add the pecans and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring gently, to coat the pecans in the keto candy glaze.
- Then spread the pecans out on parchment paper to cool.
For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the printable recipe card below.
Elevate a keto cheesecake by topping it with candied pecans. We also like them on our keto pumpkin mug cake.
Expert tips
The pecans will be sticky while they are still hot. As they cool, they will dry out a bit and harden. You may need to break the nuts apart if they've stuck together while cooling.
This recipe is very easily doubled or even tripled. For making larger batches just use a larger skillet.
Keep a close eye on this recipe while you're cooking. It can very easily burn if you get the heat too high. Monk fruit sweetener actually melts at a lower temperature than sugar, so low heat is perfect.
FAQs
It's not necessary to toast or roast the nuts before candying them, but if you want to, feel free. Roasting raw nuts brings out more of their flavor.
This recipe as written will not work in the oven. You would need to add 1 whipped egg white plus the sweetener, salt, cinnamon and syrup to a bowl and mix together. Add the pecan halves, stirring to coat. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 1 hour at 250F.
Our favorite keto sweetener for low carb candied pecans is Lakanto granulated sweetener. It's a monkfruit sweetener that we find to be very similar to traditional sugar in both taste and texture.
You can also use the Golden Lakanto, which is a brown sugar substitute.
Yes, pecans are very keto friendly. They actually have the lowest carbs of all nuts. They are also high in protein, healthy fats and are very filling.
Storage instructions
You can store in an airtight container or glass jar at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. You can freeze them for up to 3 months.
Be sure to keep moisture away, as that can make them sticky.
Need more Keto snack ideas? We love munching on Keto Cheese Chips and homemade Keto Crackers.
Give Keto Candied Pecans as a Gift
Keto candied pecans are an excellent holiday gift, or a thoughtful gift for any other occasion.
When we make to give out as gifts we usually double or triple the recipe. Once the pecans are cool, we package them in a glass jars or plastic gift bags with little bows.
You can use different wrap or bows to decorate the jars for different occasions. They make fun little gifts for wedding guest, bridal showers, Mother's day and Father's day gatherings, and birthdays.
More easy keto dessert recipes
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Did you make this keto candied pecan recipe? If so, please leave a comment below letting me know what you thought.
📖 Recipe
Keto Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sweetener we used Lakanto
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons maple flavored syrup we used Lakanto
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except the pecans in a small to medium sized skillet and cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until the granulated sweetener dissolves and the mixture is bubbling.
- Add the pecans and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring to coat the pecans in the keto candy glaze.
- Remove from the heat, and spread the pecans out on parchment paper to let the pecans cool completely.
Video
Notes
- Keep a close eye while you're cooking. It can burn if you get the heat too high. Monk fruit sweetener actually melts at a lower temperature than sugar, so low heat is perfect.
- The pecans will be sticky but they will harden as they cool.
- You can double or triple this recipe, if needed. Use a larger skillet.
- You can use your nut of choice to make keto candied nuts.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick, or use pumpkin spice in place of the cinnamon for a different spin.
- Store your keto pecans in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks at room temperature or up to 3 months in the freezer.
- These make a great gift! Wrap up servings in small jars or decorative bags for holidays or other occasions.
Will
These are so good! I made the recipe exactly as written, and they are crunchy and delicious. I think this will be a regular keto snack recipe from now on.