These Easy Cinnamon Sugar Pecans are the perfect sweet and crunchy treat! They're incredibly easy to make, with just a handful of simple ingredients, and they're always a crowd-pleaser. I love how the combination of cinnamon, sugar, and a touch of salt creates a delicious coating that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. These pecans are perfect for snacking, gifting, or adding to salads and desserts. Get ready for a treat that's impossible to resist!
Why You'll Love These Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
- Sweet and Crunchy: The combination of cinnamon sugar and perfectly roasted pecans creates a delightful sweet and crunchy snack.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Perfect for Snacking: They're a great snack for any time of day.
- Versatile: Enjoy them on their own, add them to salads, yogurt, or oatmeal, or use them as a topping for desserts.
- Great for Gifts: These pecans make a wonderful homemade gift for the holidays or any occasion.
Ingredients for Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
Here's what you'll need to make these addictive pecans. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Pecans (and/or almonds) (Nuts)
- Sugar (Sweetener)
- Ground cinnamon (Spice)
- Vanilla extract (Flavoring)
- Egg white (Binder)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Water (Liquid)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love these Easy Cinnamon Sugar Pecans as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Add More Spices: Toss in a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or cloves for a warmer flavor.
- Make them Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the mixture.
- Use Different Nuts: Try using walnuts, almonds, cashews, or a mix of nuts.
- Brown Sugar: Use brown sugar
How to Make Easy Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
Let me show you how incredibly simple it is to make these Easy Cinnamon Sugar Pecans:
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
- I preheat my oven to 250°F (120°C).
- I line a baking sheet with parchment paper or non-stick foil. This prevents the pecans from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- I mix the sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large Ziploc bag.
Whisk Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, I whisk together the egg white, vanilla extract, and water with a fork until the mixture is frothy.
Coat Pecans
- I add the pecans (or almonds) to the egg white mixture and stir until they are well coated.
- I pour the pecans into the Ziploc bag with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- I seal the bag
- I shake until well coated.
Bake
- I spread the coated pecans out on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- I bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. This ensures the pecans cook evenly and get nice and crispy.
Cool and Serve
- Cool
- Serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
Here are my secrets for making these pecans truly exceptional:
- Use Fresh Pecans: Fresh pecans have the best flavor and texture.
- Low and Slow: Baking the pecans at a low temperature (250°F/120°C) ensures they roast evenly and don't burn.
- Stir Frequently: Stirring the pecans every 15 minutes during baking helps them cook evenly and prevents them from sticking together.
- Don't Overbake: The pecans will continue to crisp up as they cool, so don't overbake them.
- Let them Cool Completely: Let the pecans cool completely on the baking sheet before storing them. This helps them to crisp up fully.
How to Serve
These Easy Cinnamon Sugar Pecans are delicious:
- On Their Own: A perfect snack any time of day.
- Salads: Add them to salads for a sweet and crunchy topping.
- Yogurt or Oatmeal: Sprinkle them over yogurt or oatmeal for added flavor and texture.
- Desserts: Use them as a topping for ice cream, pies, or cakes.
- Gifts: Package them in jars or bags for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
These pecans store beautifully! Once they're completely cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the refrigerator for up to a month. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
FAQs about Easy Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
- Can I use a different type of nut?
- Yes, you can use walnuts, almonds, cashews, or a mix of nuts.
- Can I make these without the egg white?
- The egg white helps the cinnamon-sugar mixture adhere to the pecans and creates a crispier coating. You can try omitting it, but the results may be different.
- Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar?
- Yes, you can.
Enjoy these sweet, crunchy, and incredibly addictive Easy Cinnamon Sugar Pecans! They're a perfect treat for any occasion.
Print
Easy Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Cinnamon Sugar Pecans are a sweet and crunchy treat that's perfect for snacking, gifting, or adding to salads and desserts. They're incredibly simple to make with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pecan halves (or a mix of pecans and almonds)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg white
- ½ teaspoon salt (or adjust to your preference)
- 2 teaspoons water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or non-stick aluminum foil. This prevents the pecans from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: In a large, resealable plastic bag (gallon-sized), combine the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Seal the bag and shake to combine.
- Whisk Egg White Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white, vanilla extract, and water until frothy.
- Coat Nuts: Add the pecans (and/or almonds) to the bowl with the egg white mixture. Stir gently until the nuts are evenly coated.
- Add to Cinnamon Sugar: Pour the coated nuts into the resealable bag with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Seal the bag tightly.
- Shake to Coat: Shake the bag vigorously until the nuts are completely and evenly coated with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Spread on Baking Sheet: Spread the coated nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the pecans cool completely on the baking sheet. They will crisp up as they cool.
Notes
- Nuts: You can use all pecans, all almonds, or a mixture of both.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar works best for this recipe.
- Egg White: The egg white helps the cinnamon-sugar mixture adhere to the nuts and creates a crispy coating.
- Baking Time: The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the nuts and stir them frequently to prevent burning.
- Cooling: It's important to let the pecans cool completely before serving or storing. This allows the coating to harden and become crispy.
- Storage: Store the cooled cinnamon sugar pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for longer storage.
- Serving Suggestions: These pecans are delicious on their own as a snack, or you can add them to salads, yogurt, oatmeal, or ice cream. They also make a great homemade gift.
