Air Fryer Candied Pecans are delicious and incredibly easy to make! Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, adding a gourmet touch to salads and desserts, and for holiday season snacking.
Air Fryer Candied Pecans
I’ve always loved candied pecans — my mom would leave a bowl out on the table during the holiday season that we could snack on all day. The combination of tender nuts, sweet sugar, spicy cinnamon, and warm vanilla was truly incredible!
Now that I’m older and host my own parties, I knew I had to put my own twist on Mom’s classic recipe. And that’s how these air fryer candied pecans were born! Using the air fryer brings out a wonderfully crisp texture, all while infusing each pecan with a rich, caramelized sweetness.
I love giving a batch of air fryer candy pecans to friends and family too. They make amazing gifts, and everyone loves a great snack! I believe that’s because one of everyone’s favorite snacks is pecan praline, and this comes close to the Trader Joe’s version. Only it’s better… because you can make it at home!
If you’re looking for even more Air Fryer Nut Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER SPICY PEANUTS, AIR FRYER PINE NUTS, HONEY ROASTED WALNUTS AIR FRYER, and AIR FRYER BARBECUE ROASTED MIXED NUTS!
Why You’ll Love My Candied Pecans Air Fryer Recipe
- So quick and easy in the air fryer
- Even cooking every time
- No excess oil
- Easy cleanup
- Customizable
- Perfect for any occasion
- Versatile — can be used in snacks, salads, desserts, or breakfast!
- Good for beginners
- Addictive in the best way!
Ingredients Needed to Make Candied Pecans in Air Fryer
With just a handful of easy pantry ingredients, you can transform raw pecans into a deliciously sweet and crunchy snack! You likely have most of what you need already at home.
For complete ingredients and quantities, as well as the nutritional information, keep on scrolling until you get to the bottom with a printable recipe card.
- Pecan Halves: Choose fresh, high-quality pecans for the best flavor and texture, and make sure they’re raw.
- Granulated Sugar & Honey: Provide the classic sweetness you know and love! You can adjust the amount based on your preference. I like using a combination of sugar and honey, but you could use one or the other if you’d like.
- Cinnamon: Gives your air fryer candied pecans that signature holiday flavor! It also adds a touch of warm spiciness that pairs so well with the other ingredients.
- Salt: A pinch balances the sweetness and brings out the rich flavors of the pecans and spices. You can use kosher or sea salt.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds more warmth — plus, vanilla is the perfect complement to sugar, honey, and cinnamon.
How to Make Air Fryer Candy Pecans
Making candied pecans in the air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy this classic treat. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to make your own batch of sweet and crunchy pecans!
Step 1: Recipe prep
Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F and line the tray with aluminum foil. If you decide to use parchment paper, add it after it’s done preheating.
Step 2: Coat the pecans
Add the pecans, sugar, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, and 1 tablespoon of water to a large bowl and mix to coat the pecan halves. Make sure the mixture gets in all of the nooks and crannies.
Step 3: Air fry
Transfer the nut mixture to the preheated air fryer basket and arrange in a single layer. Air fry for 3 minutes, shake, then air fry for 2-3 more minutes, or until shiny and fragrant.
Step 4: Cool
Pour the nuts onto a parchment or Silpat-lined baking tray to cool and harden for at least 15 minutes. When cool, serve and enjoy!
Air Fried Candied Pecans Variations
- Spicy: Kick up the heat by adding 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the sugar mixture.
- Maple Glazed: Swap out some granulated sugar for pure sweet maple syrup to infuse the pecans with a deep, rich maple flavor.
- Salted Caramel: Use caramel-flavored sugar and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt on top after air frying for a delicious blend of sweet caramel and sharp saltiness.
- Vanilla Bean: Add the seeds from a vanilla bean pod into the sugar coating for a gourmet treat.
- Pumpkin Spice: Mix 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice into the sugar coating to bring the cozy flavors of autumn to your air fryer candied pecans.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle the pecans with some melted dark chocolate after they’ve cooled for a pop of fudgy flavor.
- Orange Zest: Sprinkle fresh orange zest into the sugar mixture before coating to add a refreshing citrus note that brightens the whole recipe up.
- Rosemary Infused: Incorporate finely chopped fresh rosemary into the sugar mixture for a savory and aromatic twist.
- Espresso: Include 1 tablespoon of finely ground espresso or coffee in the sugar coating for a rich, bold flavor.
Air Fryer Candied Pecans Pro Tips
- Size Matters: Make sure your pecan halves are of uniform size for even cooking. This will give them a consistent texture and help ensure nothing burns.
- Line the Basket: Use aluminum foil or parchment paper with holes to keep the pecans from sticking and to ensure easy cleanup.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Spread the pecans in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and may prevent the pecans from becoming fully candied.
- Don’t forget to shake the air fryer basket: Give candied pecans in the air fryer a good shake or toss at about the 3-minute mark. Otherwise, some may come out more candied than others!
- Watch Closely: Keep an eye on the pecans, especially toward the end of cooking time. The sugary coating can go from perfectly candied to burnt very quickly!
- Allow the air fried candied pecans to cool completely: Not only will they harden as they cool, but the sugar will also be very hot! Do not attempt to eat these straight out of the air fryer or you will get burned.
- Storage: Store the cooled candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crispness. If stored properly, they can last several weeks but are best enjoyed within the first week.
Ways to Use Candied Pecans
- As a quick snack directly out of the jar
- Dessert toppings for ice cream, yogurt, pudding, cakes, or pies
- Mix into baked goods like muffins, breads, cookies, and brownies
- In homemade trail mix
- Stir into oatmeal or granola
- Sprinkle over pancakes or waffles
- On top of salads
- With roasted veggies for fall
- On cheese and charcuterie boards
- In stuffing
- Soup garnish
- On top of festive drinks like hot chocolate with whipped cream
- As gifts in a decorative or mason jar with a pretty ribbon
Candied Pecans Air Fryer Recipe FAQs
Yes! While pecans are popular for candying due to their rich, buttery texture, walnuts, almonds, or cashews can be used. Adjust cooking times as needed based on the size and density of the nuts.
Absolutely! I don’t use any egg whites in my candied pecans air fryer recipe.
Yes, sugar substitutes like monk fruit sweetener or erythritol can be used as a low-carb or keto-friendly option. Keep in mind that the coating may have a different texture than when using traditional sugar.
Pecans can burn due to high temperatures or not tossing them halfway through cooking. It’s important to monitor them closely, especially during the last few minutes, and adjust the temperature or cooking time based on your air fryer model.
Ensure the pecans are well-coated and spread out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Let them cool completely after cooking, as they crisp up further while cooling down.
You probably didn’t cook them long enough! Remember you can always adjust the air frying time if needed. Increase the amount in 1-minute intervals until you land on a time that works.
If the pecans aren’t as crispy as you’d like after the recommended cooking time, you can cook them for 2-3 minutes. But watch closely to prevent burning.
You can, but it’s best to cook this candied pecans air fryer recipe in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can result in unevenly cooked pecans that aren’t as crispy.
You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Keep them in the refrigerator for longer storage, where they can last up to a month. Or, place them into a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for storing in the freezer.
More Air Fryer Snack Recipes
- AIR FRYER GINGER PORK DUMPLINGS
- AIR FRYER EASY POUTINE FRENCH FRIES
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- AIR FRYER PEPPER & ONION FLATBREAD
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- AIR FRYER FRIED OKRA
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- AIR FRYER CAJUN FRIED PICKLES
- AIR FRYER BANANA CHIPS
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Air Fryer Candied Pecans
Description
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups raw pecan halves
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350℉, air fryer setting, and line the tray with foil before placing it in the basket.
- In a medium bowl, mix all of the ingredients until well combined. Make sure the sugar blend gets in all of the nooks and grooves of the pecans.
- Pour the nut mixture into the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 3 minutes. Give the basket a shake and cook for 2-3 minutes longer or until the nuts are shiny and fragrant.
- Pour out on a parchment or Silpat-lined baking tray and let cool for at least 15 minutes. They will harden as they cool.
- Serve as a snack with fresh fruit and cheese or as a crunchy addition to a salad. Enjoy!
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, or
- parchment-lined baking sheet
Nutrition
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Joan Sheat
Lots of good recipres
Diane
Delicious! Definitely a crowd pleaser.