These easy air fryer candied pecans are crispy, nutty and sweet. They're perfect for snacking, gifting, and on salads.
Candied pecans just got easier in the air fryer! We whipped up a few batches in our Ninja Foodie Grill using the air fryer setting and we are thrilled with the results! They took a sixth the cook time an oven would, and tasted amazing!
You'll want to keep a batch (or two) of these on hand at all times, let me tell you why!
Packaged just right, air fryer sugar-coated pecans are a sweet little gift! Deliver them as a neighbor gifts for the holidays in a cute paper bag or jar. Tie a cellophane bag of them to a fun tea towel and take them to your next dinner party as a hostess gift, or tie a little bag of them to any last minute 'Thank You' note.
They are a great snack for kids and adults alike. Set out a bowl for the kids after school or for guests to snack on during game night. These homemade candied nuts won't disappoint!
These air fryer candied pecans are the cherry on top of our Apple & Blue Cheese Salad with Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette, as well as our Blackberry & Goat Cheese Kale Salad. Recipe coming soon!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- One batch goes a long way and accomplishes a variety of needs!
- Gift them to friends and neighbors.
- A no-prep snack you can pull out of your freezer.
- Sprinkle them on your next salad to make it feel extra special.
Recipe Ingredients
You'll need the following ingredients to make air fryer candied pecans.
Pecans have a sweet and subtle buttery flavor. They're a bit bitter on the outside but soft and buttery on the inside.
Brown Sugar adds a deeper caramel-like flavor without weighing down the crispy texture.
White Sugar is sweeter and lighter than brown sugar. We're able to use less to achieve the desired sweetness.
Cinnamon is fragrant and adds a warm, sweet flavor.
Salt enhances flavor and balances out the sweet ingredients.
Egg White is the glue that holds this sweet cinnamon sugar concoction together! It also helps the coating adhere to the pecans. When baked it hardens and contributes to the crispy exterior.
Vanilla is very aromatic and contributes to a warm and complex flavor. The higher quality vanilla used, the more aromatic and complex the flavor will be. We prefer to use Mexican Vanilla whenever we can!
How to Make It
Let's walk through the steps visually. The full recipe with ingredient measurements and more detailed instructions can be found below.
Measure out 4 cups (or 1lb) of shelled and halved pecans.
Combine the egg white, vanilla and water into a large bowl and mix until frothy.
Pour the pecans into the bowl of wet ingredients and toss until they are evenly coated.
Combine sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Pour the cinnamon sugar mixture over the pecans and toss until evenly coated.
Cover the air fryer basket with parchment paper and arrange pecans in a single layer.
Cook in air fryer for 4 minutes. Open and toss pecans, turning them over.
Close the lid to the air fryer and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
Open the air fryer and allow to cool completely. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- For best results, make sure to continue to whisk the egg white/vanilla/water mixture until it is very frothy.
- Never place parchment paper in an air fryer without the something to weigh it down. It will rise and burn on the heating element.
Storage
- Room Temperature: Candied pecans can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container for approximately two weeks.
- Freezer: For (much) longer storage time, keep candied pecans in a large ziplock bag in the freezer.
Uses for Candied Pecans
Some ways to use candied pecans include:
- On Salads - Nuts are a good addition to any salad, but these candied pecans take it to the next level. We'll link our favorite salads to use candied pecans on below.
- For Snacking - kids and adults alike will love to snack on these air fryer candied pecans.
- For Gifting- dress them up and gift them for many occasions: Holidays, neighbor gifts, hostess gifts, or as a sweet thank you.
Find the recipe for this Apple & Blue Cheese Salad with our delicious air fryer candied pecans.
Frequently Asked Questions
All nuts do eventually go stale or rancid at room temperature. The amount of time will vary based on your climate and humidity, but your candied pecans should do fine in an airtight container for approximately 2 weeks.
Yes! Candied pecans have traditionally been made in the oven, cooked at a low temperature for an hour, tossing intermittently. But, we've found that they work great in the air fryer and take a fraction of the time they would in the oven!
Yes, we highly recommend storing your candied pecans in the freezer. They'll stay better longer, and we personally love the way they taste frozen.
Candied pecans make great holiday, friend, hostess, or neighbor gifts. Dress them up in a cute bag/jar and a pretty bow!
You might be using a glazed pecan recipe. The primary difference between glazed and candied is that candied pecans are made with egg white, while glazed pecans are not. Glazed pecans are typically done on the stovetop with melted butter and brown sugar. We recommend trying candied pecans instead - their light and crispy cinnamon-sugar coating is a game changer!
Absolutely! Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Follow steps 1-6 and then cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread pecans in a single layer across cookie sheet. Cook for 60 minutes, tossing pecans every 15 minutes until done.
More Air Fryer Recipes
While we're talking salads, we also love these super quick and easy Air Fryer Garlic Croutons!
Air Fryer Crab Rangoon are the perfect crispy crunchy appetizer. You can even make Air Fryer Burgers in your air fryer.
For breakfast try Air Fryer Cinnamon Pigs in a Blanket which are delightfully sweet and savory.
More From Thyme for the Table
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📖 Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans
Equipment
- 1 Electric Frother or Wire Whisk (We used the Zulay Frother)
- 1 air fryer (We used the Ninja Foodie Grill)
Ingredients
- 4 cups halved pecans (or 1lb)
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 325° Fahrenheit .
- Combine egg whites, vanilla, and water in a large bowl.
- Using a handheld frother or wire whisk, mix until frothy.
- Pour pecans into bowl and toss until coated
- In a separate bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, and salt
- Pour cinnamon sugar mixture over pecans and toss until evenly coated
- Arrange pecans in a single layer over parchment paper in the air fryer basket. Our Ninja Foodie Grill fits 2 cups of pecans at a time.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, turning once halfway through the cook time (time may vary based on air fryer model)
- Let cool completely, and enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, make sure to continue to whisk the egg white/vanilla/water mixture until it is very frothy.
- Never place parchment paper in an air fryer without the something to weigh it down. It will rise and burn on the heating element.
- Room Temperature: Candied pecans can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container for approximately two weeks.
- Freezer: For (much) longer storage time, keep candied pecans in a large ziplock bag in the freezer.
Nancy says
These came of crispy and delicious! SO much faster than the oven. Great recipe!
Thyme for the Table says
Awesome! We are so glad they turned out so good for you!
Debbie says
Absolutely perfect results, recipe simple and quick.
Jen Talley says
That's great to hear, Debbie! Enjoy the pecans!
Jason says
Made these tonight for a strawberry salad.
Jen Talley says
That's great Jason! They are so good on sweet salads!