These sugar-free candied pecans are crispy, crunchy and seriously addictive, you won’t believe they are healthy! Made with just 4 ingredients, this healthy candied pecan recipe is completely paleo and vegan!
Keto Candied Pecans Recipe
I shouldn’t play favorites when it comes to nuts, but come the festive season, I am ALL about pecans.
Especially if it’s glazed and candied…with a healthy twist.
It’s strange that I don’t share more pecan-heavy recipes on here! We’ve had maple pecan fudge, pecan pie no bake bars and my favorite stovetop sugar free candied pecans. It’s now time to elevate your tastebuds to some skillet roasted candied pecans.
There is nothing more tantalizing than the smell of freshly roasted candied pecans. The combination of warm cinnamon spices and the crystallization of sugar makes it the ultimate sweet snack.
Crispy, crunchy, sweet and slightly salty, candied pecans are pretty much a gift to taste buds.
Unfortunately, candied pecans are loaded with sugar, butter and often times, syrup, to give it the ultra-sweet flavor and texture.
While they taste delicious, they would definitely be something to be eaten in moderation.
To combat this, I’ve taken my sugar-free candied pecan recipe and given it an even healthier makeover. You won’t find any maple syrup, any sugar or even any butter in my healthy sugar-free candied pecans recipe.
However, you’ll still be enjoying crispy, crunchy, sweet and cinnamon-spiked pecans.
Before you roll your eyes thinking this must be some complicated, difficult recipe, you’ll be proven wrong!
You only need 4 ingredients and less than 10 minutes to make these deliciously addictive and accidentally healthy candied pecans.
Made 100% sugar-free, this homemade healthy candied pecans recipe is completely paleo and vegan-friendly. It’s also suitable for those following a keto and low carb diet.
Are candied pecans good for you?
Candied pecans, made correctly, can be apart of a healthy diet. Pecans are high in fiber, rich in vitamin E and provide plenty of zinc.
Outside of the nutrients, they are a low carb, heart-healthy nut, loaded with protein and healthy fats. Although they have been ‘candied’, the granulated sweetener used is all-natural and contains zero calories!
How do you make healthy candied pecans?
Making healthy candied pecans is so easy- You simply combine all the ingredients (minus the pecans) until it simmers, and then add the pecans and voila- It will reduce and crystalize beautifully.
The granulated sweetener I used was monk fruit sweetener. It is a paleo and keto-friendly sweetener which resembles sugar.
Please note- I can only vouch for this granulated sweetener, along with traditional brown or white sugar. Other sugar-free sweeteners may yield different results.
How do you make candied pecans on the stove?
Making candied pecans stovetop is my favorite method. It is extremely quick, easy and takes less than 10 minutes!
It’s my preferred method of making healthy candied pecans, as it is so much quicker and less hands-on than making them in the oven!
As mentioned earlier, it’s simply allowing all the ingredients, minus the pecans, simmer away until the granulated sweetener has completely melted.
You then add the pecans and keep stirring until the pecans are evenly coated and begin to crystallize.
That’s it!
With the holiday season approaching, and those celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas too, it’s the perfect paleo and vegan-friendly holiday dessert, holiday gift or really a wholesome snack to enjoy anytime!
Keto Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups allulose divided * See notes
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 3 cups raw pecans
Instructions
- Heat a large pan or skillet on medium heat.
- When hot, add 1 cup of your granulated sweetener, water, and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined. Allow to heat up, stirring occasionally.
- When the sweetener has completely melted, add your pecans. Start to mix around the pecans in the liquid mixture, ensuring each nut is evenly coated. Continue stirring occasionally, until the sweetener begins to crystallize on the pecans. Turn heat off.
- Remove the pan from the stove and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break apart the pecans before they crystallize together.
- Once cooled, toss with the remaining half cup of granulated sweetener and cinnamon and cover in a sealed container.
Notes
Nutrition
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I followed this recipe but I used it for walnuts. They turned out great! super yummy. thank you for the recipe!
This is very similar to my recipe. I like a sweet heat pecan, so I add some cayenne pepper. So good. We like them on chicken salad sandwiches.
I love these and all candied nuts they are my favourites
I made these. There are delicious!!!!
Thank you SO MUCH for this recipe! I love candied pecans, and these hit the spot. I used a mix of baking stevia and sucralose, as I didn’t have monk fruit. The nuts were a bit soggy after being in the liquid, so after stirring them in the coating, I left them in a 200 oven for 20 minutes to dry out. Monk fruit may produce a different result. The only significant change I made was to add 1 tsp of salt to the coating mixture. For me it dramatically improves the flavor, but then I love salty treats!
DO NOT use Xylitol.It does not crystallize on the pecans, and you wind up with 3 burned cups of pecans!