Get ready to fill your home with the most incredible, warm, and festive aroma! These Slow Cooker Candied Pecans are the easiest and most delicious holiday treat you’ll make all season. By using the crockpot, you create perfectly crunchy, cinnamon-sugar-coated pecans with minimal effort. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it recipe that delivers a gourmet-quality snack perfect for gifting, parties, or just enjoying by the handful. Forget oven-watching and constant stirring; the slow cooker does all the hard work for you, ensuring a perfectly even, crunchy coating every single time.
Whether you’re looking for a simple addition to your holiday dessert table or a thoughtful homemade gift, this recipe is a guaranteed winner. Let’s dive into how to make this irresistible snack.
Just a few simple steps to get these pecans ready for the slow cooker.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Candied Pecans Recipe
If you need more convincing, here’s why this crockpot method is the absolute best way to make candied nuts.
Incredibly Easy: The prep takes just five minutes! Simply mix the ingredients, toss them in the slow cooker, and let it work its magic. It’s a foolproof recipe perfect for even the most novice cook.
Frees Up Oven Space: During the busy holiday season, oven space is prime real estate. Making your candied pecans in the crockpot keeps your oven free for bigger dishes like a perfectly roasted spatchcock turkey or your favorite sweet potato casserole.
Perfectly Crispy & Crunchy: The slow, gentle heat of the crockpot allows the sugar coating to cook and harden perfectly without the risk of burning, resulting in an irresistibly crunchy texture every time.
Amazing for Gifting: Pack these candied pecans in a festive jar or bag, tie it with a ribbon, and you have a beautiful and delicious homemade gift for friends, family, and neighbors. They are a wonderful addition to any holiday cookie platter, maybe alongside some chewy gingerbread crinkle cookies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a few pantry staples to create this delicious treat.
Pecan Halves: The star of the show! Look for fresh, raw pecan halves for the best flavor and texture.
Egg White: This is the secret ingredient that helps the sugar mixture stick to the pecans and creates that signature crispy shell.
Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract for a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the cinnamon and sugar.
Water: Just a splash helps to loosen the egg white, making it easier to coat the nuts evenly.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: A combination of both gives the coating a wonderful depth of flavor and a classic candied taste.
Ground Cinnamon: For that quintessential warm holiday spice. Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for extra warmth.
Salt: A little salt enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
Look at that perfect, crunchy cinnamon-sugar coating!
How to Make Slow Cooker Candied Pecans (Step-by-Step)
Making these candied pecans is as simple as mix, coat, and cook. Follow these easy steps for perfect results.
Prepare the Coating: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white, water, and vanilla extract until it becomes light and frothy.
Coat the Pecans: Add the pecan halves to the egg white mixture and stir until every nut is thoroughly coated.
Add the Sugar Mixture: In a separate small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Sprinkle this mixture over the coated pecans and stir well until the nuts are evenly covered.
Cook in the Slow Cooker: Transfer the coated pecans to the liner of your slow cooker, spreading them in an even layer. Cover the slow cooker with a clean kitchen towel or a layer of paper towels before placing the lid on top. This helps absorb condensation and prevents the pecans from becoming soggy.
Stir Occasionally: Cook on LOW for 3 hours, stirring every 45 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Cool and Crisp: Once cooked, spread the pecans in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool completely. As they cool, the sugar coating will harden and become wonderfully crispy. Break apart any clusters, and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Perfectly Crispy Candied Pecans
Want to ensure your Slow Cooker Candied Pecans are absolutely perfect? Follow these simple tips.
Don’t Skip the Towel: Placing a towel or paper towels under the lid is crucial. It traps moisture that would otherwise drip back onto the pecans, ensuring they turn out crunchy, not sticky.
Use Low Heat: Resist the urge to cook on high. The low and slow method is key to allowing the coating to harden properly without burning the sugar.
Cool in a Single Layer: Do not let the pecans cool in a pile. Spreading them on a baking sheet gives them the space they need for the coating to dry and crisp up perfectly.
Stir Gently: When stirring the pecans in the slow cooker, be gentle to avoid breaking the nuts.
Flavor Variations
While the classic cinnamon-sugar flavor is a crowd-pleaser, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Here are a few variations to try:
Spicy Candied Pecans: Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sugar mixture for a sweet and spicy kick.
Pumpkin Spice: Swap the cinnamon for 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice for a festive autumn flavor. This would be a perfect topping for no-bake pumpkin cheesecake.
Orange-Spiced: Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the sugar mixture for a bright, citrusy note.
Chocolate Drizzle: After the pecans have cooled, drizzle them with melted dark or white chocolate for an extra decadent touch.
How to Store Candied Pecans
Proper storage is key to keeping your candied pecans fresh and crunchy. Once they are completely cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks. If you live in a humid environment, you can place a saltine cracker in the container to absorb any excess moisture. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months.
Creative Ways to Use Your Pecans
These slow cooker candied pecans are fantastic on their own, but they are also a versatile ingredient that can elevate many other dishes!
Salad Topping: Add a sweet and crunchy element to your favorite salads.
Ice Cream Topping: Sprinkle over vanilla, butter pecan, or coffee ice cream.
*Cheese Board Addition: They pair wonderfully with cheeses like brie, goat cheese, and blue cheese.
Baking Ingredient: Chop them up and add them to cookies, brownies, or breads.
Breakfast Booster: Stir them into yogurt, oatmeal, or sprinkle over pancakes and waffles.
The two most important steps are placing a towel under the slow cooker lid to absorb moisture and spreading the pecans in a single layer on parchment paper to cool completely. This allows the sugar coating to harden properly.
Stickiness is usually caused by excess moisture. This can happen if you skip placing a towel under the lid or if they are not cooled in a single layer, preventing the sugar from drying and hardening correctly.
Yes, you can easily double the recipe, provided your slow cooker is large enough (6 quarts or more) to hold the pecans in a relatively even layer. You may need to add a little extra cooking time and stir more frequently.
The easiest way to make perfectly crunchy, cinnamon-sugar candied pecans! This set-it-and-forget-it Slow Cooker Candied Pecans recipe is perfect for holiday snacking and gifting.
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white, water, and vanilla extract until frothy.
Add the pecan halves to the egg white mixture and stir until they are all evenly coated.
In a separate small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Sprinkle over the coated pecans and stir until well combined and the pecans are fully covered.
Transfer the coated pecans to the slow cooker and spread into an even layer. Place a clean kitchen towel or a double layer of paper towels over the top of the slow cooker before putting on the lid. Cook on LOW for 3 hours, stirring every 45 minutes.
Spread the hot pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let them cool completely. They will crisp up as they cool. Break apart any clusters before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcalProtein: 4gFat: 28gFiber: 4g
Notes
Storage: Store cooled candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Don't Skip the Towel: The towel under the lid is essential for absorbing condensation, which ensures the pecans become crispy and not soggy. Variations: Add 1/4 tsp of cayenne for a spicy kick or 1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon for a fall flavor.
Effortless Slow Cooker Candied Pecans - your new favorite holiday treat!
Enjoy Your Homemade Treat!
This Slow Cooker Candied Pecans recipe is a true holiday gem that proves delicious treats don’t have to be complicated. With just a handful of ingredients and the magic of your crockpot, you can create a snack that’s perfect for any occasion. We hope you love making and sharing these delightful pecans! If you try this recipe, we’d love to see your creations. Share a photo and tag us on Pinterest!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
