These oven roasted candied pecans are super easy to make and addictively delicious! This healthier recipe requires no dairy or eggs (naturally vegan), and combines the light sweetness of maple syrup and brown sugar with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice for the perfect sweet and spicy crunch! Perfect as a snack, salad topper, or even as a gift!
Growing up in Mid-west Texas, making candied pecans was a favorite holiday tradition; now that I'm an adult and living in the north-west corner of the states, I still can't resist their charm! I just know that these naturally vegan candied pecans are going to be a regular delight in your home also and I can't wait for you to try them!
How to make vegan Candied Pecans:
First preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 11 X 17 baking tray with parchment paper.
Measure 4 cups (approximately 1 lb.) pecan halves into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle pecans with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, salt, brown sugar (can easily sub coconut sugar here) (photo 1).
Next, drizzle maple syrup over nuts and spices (photo 2). No need to stir yet.
Finally, drizzle melted coconut oil over everything and stir until nuts are well coated.
Pour pecans onto parchment covered tray and bake on the middle rack in your oven at 350 for 18-20 minutes. (Rotate tray if needed half-way through baking - my oven always seems to burn things in the back corners easier.) Test a pecan (careful, it's hot!) toward the end of the baking time to taste for that perfect roasted flavor!
A minute or two after your candied pecans come out of the oven (photo 5), be sure and give them a quick stir around to get all that caramelized goodness off of the tray and back onto the nuts (photo 6)!
Storage info for vegan Candied Pecans:
Let the pecans rest at room temp for an hour or two or until completely cooled. Then store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.
Substitution options:
Feel free to sub walnut halves or other nuts in the place of pecans! A variety of mixed nuts work well, they just need to be unsalted and raw to start with. Also watch your baking times as different nuts may need more/less time for that ultimate roasted perfection!
Some people's palates love a pinch of cayenne pepper added to the spice mix! My traditional palate likes to stick with the cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice flavors, but you might find that you just want to try that extra kick!
Coconut Sugar does a great job replacing brown sugar if you have it on hand!
Other baking tips:
The coconut oil in this recipe can either be refined or un-refined. Personally I like the very slight coconut flavor of the organic un-refined in this recipe, so I usually go with that!
These candied pecans are awesome for:
- snacking
- as part of a vegan charcuterie board
- chopped on salads
- gifting
- garnishing a cake
- topping chia pudding or cinnamon rice pudding
- ice cream add-ins
Other vegan snacks and desserts you will love:
- Chocolate popcorn balls
- Vegan chocolate gingersnap bars
- Vegan Chex mix
- Spicy seasoned pretzels
- Vegan double layer pumpkin cheesecake
- Vegan jerky
If you’ve tried these vegan Candied Pecans or any other recipe on my blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I LOVE hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food!!!
Vegan Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 4 cups raw pecan halves, approximately 1 lb.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup brown sugar, or sub with coconut sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
Instructions
- First preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 11 X 17 baking tray with parchment paper.
- Measure 4 cups (approximately 1 lb.) pecan halves into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle pecans with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, salt, brown sugar (can easily sub coconut sugar here).
- Next, drizzle maple syrup over nuts and spices. No need to stir yet.
- Finally, drizzle melted coconut oil over everything and stir until nuts are well coated.
- Spread out pecans on parchment covered tray and bake on the middle rack in your oven at 350 for 18-20 minutes. (Rotate tray if needed half-way through baking - my oven always seems to burn things in the back corners easier.) Test a pecan (careful, it's hot!) toward the end of the baking time to taste for that perfect roasted flavor!
- A minute or two after your candied pecans come out of the oven, be sure and give them a quick stir around to get all that caramelized goodness off of the tray and back onto the nuts!
- Let the pecans rest at room temp for an hour or two or until completely cooled. Then store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks. Or just start nibbling!!!
Can you use honey instead of maple syrup?
Yes, you can! The candied pecans won't be vegan, technically, but should still come out delicious.
This turned out amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your tips & tricks, it would not have come out so perfectly the first time if you hadn't(: I can tell this will be a go-to!
You're so welcome and glad they came out great!