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!
Healthy Stovetop 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!
Sugar Free Keto Candied Pecans (Paleo, Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sweetener of choice, 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 made the walnuts with tagatosa but it never crystallized, it was sticky. what is the best sweetener for this recipe
Monk fruit sweetener- linked in the post
I used monk fruit sweetener and they never carmelized. The liquid turned dark dark brown and I’m afraid I burnt them! What did I do wrong???
It can happen if you use a brand that has mixed blends of sweetness. Try another brand and see if that works
So the base on this recipe is good but it’s way too sweet. I love sweet things and am a sugar addict and I would probably cut the water to a little under 1/4 cup and only use the sugar in the water. I probably wouldn’t hit them with the sugar afterwards. I also would back the cinnamon down to half of what the recipe calls for if that. Wish a few little tweaks this could be amazing.
Hi Brandon! Sorry to hear that, I think sweetness levels can differ and also some brands are super sweet! Let me know how it goes with the tweaks!
Omg thank you so much!!! They were so delicious
So great to hear that!
Delicious! So easy to make, too! Yummy. Will be adding to holiday snacks favorites!
Has anyone tried making these with allulose. Swerve leaves and bad cooling effect for me
I haven’t tried, but I don’t see why not!
Delicious recipe and I really try to add my diet plan.Thank you so much.
Delicious and simple. Thank you, Arman!
So welcome, Stephen!
Perfect. I cheated just a little and added a teaspoon of butter but it is still Keto friendly. Arman you are making my journey a little easier travel. I also follow you on IG!
That’s my kind of cheating 😀
I made these last night with swerve sugar and love them,
Easy- and SO GOOD! Hit the spot. Thank you for sharing this! I am keto and I do what I gotta do- the sugar substitutes are typically “ok” or “meh” but THIS- I really didn’t mind this at all! I had some sugar mixture left over so I made a small batch with salted cashews and added a little butter- my non-keto, fake sugar hating hubby is Loving them!
How easy was this!!! After reading reviews with suggestions, I decided to half the recipe as a trial. I put all the sweetener in with the water & vanilla to make the syrup. As it heated up, I added a pinch of kosher salt and a dab of butter. Had to heat it up pretty good to get sweetener to melt, but when I added the pecans I turned the heat off. They started to harden and I put them on parchment. OMG I cannot believe what delectable little treats they are!! Thank you so much, Arman!
I make mine by powdering the sweetener in the thermie (or buying it powdered) and I toss my nuts in one egg white that has been beaten until fluffy and add the sweetener (bit less than this recipe) and cinnamon and cardamom and a pinch sea salt then bake on a tray lined with parchment in a low oven until turning golden. Super crunchy and sweet spicy goodness. I have a bowl of these out at Christmas for everyone to share and have often given them in jars as gifts as they keep well.
do i need to roast the pecans first?
Nope 🙂
Reading through the comments…some of the people are ignorant af. Lol. Anyway, amazing recipe! I’ve been craving pralines and this was totally what I needed! Thank you so much.