Maple Candied Cinnamon Pecans

5 from 3 votes

So simple yet so delicious these maple candied pecans have just the right hit of cinnamon spice and makes for a perfect treat or gift!

Prep Time3

Cook Time7

Total Time10

Course: Dessert, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 226kcal

Author: Kitrusy

Heat a heavy-bottomed pan or skillet on med heat. When it is almost hot, set the heat to low and add your nuts and toss every few seconds for 3-5 minutes until they begin to brown. A good indicator is that you can smell them and hear a little sizzle if you lean in and listen.
Once the nuts are toasted, pour in your maple syrup, cinnamon and salt and begin stirring to evenly coat your nuts and to keep your nuts constantly moving in the pan. Keep the heat on LOW.
Continue to cook for a few minutes (stirring constantly) until you notice that the water in the syrup is evaporating and the syrup is beginning to crystallize.
You can allow the syrup to fully evaporate before removing the pan from the stove and the end result will be a sugary coated candied pecan, or you can remove the nuts just before it reaches that stage (when the crystallization process just begins) for a candy-shell coated pecan.
Remove your pecans from the pan and set onto a clean baking sheet to cool.
Enjoy as a treat just by themselves or as a topper for your salads or sweet potato casserole!
Store your nuts in an airtight jar or container at room temp or in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Using a larger pan so that the nuts are in an even layer always works best for even cooking and coating.
When you first remove the nuts from the heat they will be soft but as they cool they will harden and achieve that delicious crunch. (In the even that they remain soft or without crunch after they have cooled, one possible cause is that you might not have toasted them enough).
Using a high or even medium heat will result in a burned end product (of either the nuts, the syrup, the cinnamon, or all three) so I really do not recommend it.
Not a fan of pecans? Use any nut of your choice or to mix things up, use an assortment of nuts!
Do you wish the cinnamon had a bit more kick to it? Sprinkle a pinch or two (to taste) of cinnamon powder over the ready made pecans and toss to evenly coat them or use any other warming spice of your choice.