Roasted and candied pecans are a popular snack, particularly during the holidays. They’re crunchy and sweet, and it’s difficult not to eat the entire bowl.
Making them in the air fryer rather than the oven saves time. While candied nuts can take an hour or more to make in the oven, they only take 10 minutes in the air fryer.
Candied pecans, also known as glazed or sugared pecans, are a delicious salad topping, that can be used to decorate cakes, added to other snack mixes, or simply served on their own. When placed in a mason jar and tied with a pretty ribbon, they make an excellent homemade gift.
This recipe is for pecans, but it can also be used to make candied almonds, cashews, walnuts, or any combination of nuts you like.
So, let’s start with this amazing recipe.
Ingredients
To make candied pecans, you will need the following ingredients:
Raw pecan halves – For this recipe, use non-roasted, unsalted nuts.
Butter – It can be salted or unsalted, and margarine can also be used.
Maple syrup – For the best flavor, use pure maple syrup.
Egg white – This can come from a fresh egg or a carton of egg white.
Sugar – Brown sugar can be light or dark. Dark brown sugar has a slightly stronger flavor. White sugar is simply granulated sugar.
Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or omit if desired. To taste, add salt. I like to use sea salt flakes, but any type of salt will do.
Instructions
Step 1- Begin by gently heating the butter and maple syrup until the butter melts. You can do this in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Step 2- Place the pecans in a medium-sized mixing bowl, drizzle with the butter, and stir to coat evenly.
Step 3- The egg white should be frothy. It should just barely contain soft peaks. This can be done by hand, with a whisk, or with a hand mixer.
Step 4- Gently stir the egg white into the nuts to combine. Then add the sugar and cinnamon and mix well.
Step 5- Preheat the air fryer for 4 minutes at 350 °F. Then, line the basket with parchment paper.
Step 6- Pour the nuts into the basket and spread them out as evenly as possible.
Note: Pre-heating the air fryer with the parchment paper in the basket is not recommended. It may fly up and become entangled in the heating element. Only use parchment paper to weigh down the basket when it contains food.
Step 7- Heat the nuts in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 350 °F. Every couple of minutes, remove the basket and stir the nuts.
Step 8- Remove the basket and pour the nuts onto a parchment-lined baking sheet when the nuts are no longer shiny or wet. Spread them out and, if using, sprinkle them with salt right away.
Step 9- Allow the nuts to cool for 30 minutes. As they cool, they will continue to dry and become crunchier. Then, for storage, transfer to an airtight container.
Tips
- The basket should be shaken: Shake the basket halfway through the Air Fryer Baking process to ensure that the pecans are roasted on all sides.
- Usage of parchment paper: Fill the Air Fryer Basket with parchment paper. This facilitates cleanup. To keep the air flowing, use Parchment Paper with holes.
- Baking sheet: Allow pecans to cool in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Be careful not to touch the hot nuts.
- Preheat your Air Fryer: It’s best to preheat the Air Fryer before adding the ingredients to be cooked, just like any other cooking appliance.
Recipe Variations
There are numerous ways to customize the flavor of your candied pecans. This recipe calls for pecans, but any nut or combination of nuts can be used instead.
Other nuts to try are as follows:
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Walnuts
- Peanuts
To alter the flavor of your candied pecans, try the following:
- Instead of maple syrup, use 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
- In place of cinnamon, try pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice.
- For a sweet and spicy candied nut, substitute a couple of teaspoons of chili powder for the cinnamon.
What can be served with Air Fryer Candied Pecans?
Air Fryer Candied Pecans can be served in a variety of ways.
Some people enjoy tossing them into salads to add sweetness and crunch.
Some people enjoy eating them as a snack.
They’re also delicious in baked goods like cookies or cake. You can also use them in savory dishes like chicken or fish.
How can you store Air Fryer Candied Pecans?
When the candied pecans have completely cooled and dried, place them in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag.
Plastic storage containers, Pyrex storage containers, and mason jars are all suitable. They can be kept at room temperature for 4 weeks in a cool, dry place.
Candied pecans can also be frozen, but when they thaw, they may become sticky and soft. After they’ve thawed, you should be able to refresh them in the air fryer for a few minutes before spreading them out on a baking sheet to cool.
Nutritional Information
| Calories | 270kcal |
| Fat | 21g |
| Sodium | 36 mg |
| Potassium | 135 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Fiber | 3g |
Why do my Candied Pecans come out sticky?
If the pecans remain sticky after cooling, this indicates that they did not air fry long enough to heat the sugars.
Candied pecans should be hard after cooling. This recipe does not have an element of egg whites.
In many recipes, egg whites or an egg white mixture are used to coat the pecan before coating it with a brown sugar mixture. I discovered that you don’t require it.
When Air Fried, there is less of a coating or shell on the nut. The flavor, however, remains the same.
A batch of candied pecans yields about 2 cups of pecan halves, which is plenty for gift-giving and makes a great homemade gift or easy snack and it’s also the ideal size.
How Long Do Candied Pecans Take To Cook In The Air Fryer?
In the air fryer, cook the candied pecans for at least eight minutes, or until they are lustrous and fragrant.
Candied pecans made in the air fryer are the perfect crunch for salad, yogurt, ice cream, and oatmeal bowls. These quick candied pecans are tasty and require only a few ingredients.
What Should You Serve With Glazed Pecans?
Serve this air fryer candied nut dish alongside popcorn, trail mix, desserts, or sweets.
Serve these delicious pecans with my healthy massaged kale and apple salad or these air fryer plantains.
If you don’t want to reheat them, leave them out on the counter until they reach room temperature.
Conclusion
In summary,
- Air Fryer Candied Pecans is an amazing dish to eat in holidays or winter as it is full of flavor and gets prepared in 10 minutes only.
- There is no need to coat the pecan in egg mixture before coating them in sugar and still, they would taste amazing.
- If your pecans come out sticky from the air fryer that means it is not properly cooked so add a few more minutes to the cooking.
- Don’t forget to shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure properly roasted pecans.
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