Spiced Candied Pecans (Paleo, gluten-free)

These easy Spiced Candied Pecans are the perfect combination of sweet, savory and even spicy if you like!

Roasted pecans are glazed with honey and maple syrup and then tossed with warm, fragrant spices for an irresistible snack or salad topping.

These are naturally Paleo and gluten-free, plus it’s so easy to make them keto or vegan, too. And they use no egg or egg whites, so they’re great if you’re egg-free, too.

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Why this recipe works

Oven-roasted pecans are a fun, healthy snack, whether sweet (candied) or savory (spiced).

But why choose? By glazing them in honey and maple syrup and then coating them with cinnamon, ginger and cardamom (plus cayenne, if you want them spicy), you get the best of both worlds.

The spices are warm, fragrant and, even without the cayenne, have a bit of heat from the ginger.

And by using honey and maple syrup, we’re avoiding highly refined white sugar and corn syrup like so many other candied pecan recipes.

Plus, if you use keto-friendly versions of honey and maple syrup, you’ve got keto candied pecans!

 

What you need for Spiced Candied Pecans

Ingredients:

• 2 cups / 680g / 24 oz. pecan halves
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)

Equipment:

• 2 baking sheets
• 1 large mixing bowl
• 1 small mixing bowl
• measuring spoons (these are my favorite because they actually fit into spice jars!)
• a heat-proof spatula or wooden spoon
• oven mitts

How to make Spiced Candied Pecans

Step 1: Heat the oven to 350°.

Step 2: Spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until toasted and fragrant, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 3: Pour the honey and maple syrup over the nuts and carefully toss them with a heat-proof spatula or wooden spoon (the baking sheets will be hot so hold them with oven mitts) until the nuts are evenly coated. Spread back out in a single layer. Bake for another 10 minutes.

Step 4: Meanwhile, combine the cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, salt and cayenne (if using) in a small bowl.

Step 5: Once the nuts are done, scrape them and any remaining honey and maple syrup on the baking sheet into a large bowl. Toss and stir the nuts with a heat-proof spatula or wooden spoon while adding the spices a third at a time, until evenly coated. The nuts will be sticky but keep at it until they’re all coated.

Step 6: Spread the nuts out on a new, clean baking sheet and let cool, breaking up any large clusters. The nuts will dry out, lose their stickiness and get all crunchy. This should take about 10-15 minutes.

How to use Spiced Candied Pecans

• Eat as is for an irresistible snack.
• Use some of these spiced candied pecans for a salad, like this kale salad.
• Chop some up and sprinkle over a soup, like this sweet potato soup.
• Sprinkle over vanilla, chocolate or your favorite ice cream.
• Stir some into regular or Greek yogurt.
• Chop them up and sprinkle over your favorite muffins before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Other snacks you might like:

• Everything Bagel Cashews
• PB&J No-Bake Energy Bites
• Honey Mustard Chicken Wings
• Caesar Deviled Eggs
• Everything Bagel Guacamole-Stuffed Mini Peppers

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