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You are here: Home / Recipes / Easy Maple Candied Pecans

Easy Maple Candied Pecans

Published: Dec 13, 2018 · Modified: Dec 7, 2019 by Marisa Moore·

433 shares
cinnamon spiced pecans in jars with lights

Made with just 4 ingredients, these vegan candied pecans are free from refined sugar but big on crunch. Swap in pumpkin seeds to make this recipe completely allergen-friendly.

Jump to Recipe

candied pecans in jars

Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans & Pepitas make an easy holiday appetizer, snack, or food gift! With 4 ingredients, these vegan candied nuts are ready in 25 minutes!

I shared this recipe at my December demo at Sprouts. The theme was all about healthy baking. I shared tips on healthy swaps like using pumpkin puree or applesauce to add moisture to recipes or swapping healthier flours like oat or almond flour for regular white flour. I shared this recipe as a standalone appetizer, food gift, or topping for baked pears or apples.

Sprouts ingredients for glazed pecans and pepitas

To make this recipe, you’ll need raw pecans or pepitas (baby pumpkin seeds), pure maple syrup, a granulated sugar like turbinado or coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.

NOTE: It’s important to buy raw, unsalted nuts or seeds since you’ll be baking them and adding other ingredients.

maple cinnamon glaze for pecans

Many candied pecans or spiced nuts recipes use egg whites to help the glaze stick to the nuts. When I first made these Gingerbread Glazed Almonds, I realized that the egg whites are not necessary. Yay for one less ingredient and extra step!

I warmed the maple syrup slightly then whisked in the sugar and cinnamon to make a smooth glaze that sticks to the nuts with ease.

stirring glaze onto pecans in a bowl

Here’s a tip: Leave space between the pecans on the pan. This will allow the pecans or pepitas to get nice and crunchy.

glazed pecans on a pan with parchment

Allergic to nuts? Try pumpkin seeds?

You’d follow the exact same process using pepitas (or baby pumpkin seeds). Because they are smaller, you can add a few more to the mix – 3 cups versus 2 ½ cups of pecans. The sweet, spiced pepitas are perfect as a food gift.

Because nut allergies are so common, pumpkin seeds are a safer bet if you don’t know if the person has a food allergy in the family.  You can also try sunflower seeds if they are more accessible where you live. I find both pecans and pepitas in the bulk bins section at Sprouts.

spiced pepitas in jars

ad: Make these Cinnamon Spiced Pecans & Pepitas for a holiday appetizer, snack, or easy food gift! Click to Tweet

Ways to enjoy candied pecans

I served these spiced pecans as an easy appetizer but you can use them in many different ways.

  • Top a fall or winter salad with sweet, crunchy pecans for flavor.
  • Use them as a crunchy topping to baked pears or baked apples.
  • Make a big batch to put in jars for an easy DIY holiday gift.
  • Enjoy a couple for a not-so-sweet dessert.

How would you use them? Please tag me on Instagram to let me know when you make this recipe!

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Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Cinnamon Maple Pecans and Pepitas

These Cinnamon Spiced Pecans & Pepitas make a great holiday appetizer, snack, or easy food gift! Made with just 4 ingredients and no egg whites, it's an easy, vegan appetizer!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: spiced pecans, vegan candied pecans
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 192kcal
Author: Marisa Moore

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon turbinado or coconut sugar
  • 3 tablespoon pure maple syrup, warmed
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2½ cups raw pecans or 3 cups pumpkin seeds (bulk bins)
  • pinch pink Himalayan salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300°F. Prepare a large baking sheet fitted with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon until the sugar dissolves and the glaze is smooth. Add the nuts or seeds. Toss to coat.
  • Spread nuts onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Roast 20 minutes, turning once. Remove from the oven, add the salt evenly and stir the nuts to prevent from sticking to the parchment. Let cool completely. Store cooled nuts in a sealed glass jar. 

Notes

Tips for crunchy candied pecans:
Leave space between the pecans on the pan.
This will allow the pecans or pepitas to get nice and crunchy.

Nutrition

Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g

433 shares

Filed Under: Blog, Recipes, Snacks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tayler Ross

    December 14, 2018 at 12:07 pm

    5 stars
    This would be so perfect for gifting! I can’t wait to make these!

    Reply
  2. Luci

    December 14, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    These look so tasty and I love the combo of pecans and pepitas. Perfect for the holidays.

    Reply
  3. Natalie

    December 14, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    5 stars
    I love cinnamon and I love snacking. This is a perfect for Holidays so I’ll be making this for sure. It’s also something you can pack as gift too. Great recipe!

    Reply
  4. Mary

    December 14, 2018 at 1:23 pm

    5 stars
    My dad loves cinnamon-spiced nuts! I’ll have to make these for him this year!

    Reply
  5. Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites

    December 14, 2018 at 1:25 pm

    5 stars
    These are such a great treat for the holidays or any entertaining really! I love how you packaged them too – just adorable!

    Reply

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MARISA MOORE

Hi! I'm Marisa, a registered dietitian nutritionist living in Atlanta, GA. I use this blog to share (mostly) vegetarian recipes, credible nutrition information and a peek into my Southern roots and travels!

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