Just in time for the holiday season, here is a super easy recipe for crunchy and sweet Air Fryer Candied Pecans. Air fry this special treat for parties or as an edible gift. These candied nuts are great for snacking or for putting on salads.

bowl of candied pecans on table.

Normally candied pecans are made in the oven or on the stovetop, but this time I used my air fryer and the results were delicious! Plus, it takes a lot less time to make these in the air fryer so it’s a win-win.

Not only are they made with pantry staples, but candied pecans are straightforward and easy to make. You just stir the ingredients together and then pour into the air fryer and let the hot air work its magic.

These sweet and salty nuts are perfect for salads, desserts, cheeseboards, or snacking. Try adding them to this gluten-free and dairy-free charcuterie board and watch them disappear.

They also make a fantastic edible holiday gift or hostess gift. Glazed pecans don’t usually last more than a day at my house, but they stay fresh for up to two weeks in an airtight container.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for candied pecans.
  • Raw pecan halves – Pecans do go rancid after a while, so be sure to check the expiration date on the package. Taste one before making this recipe. If it tastes good, then you are good to go.
  • Coconut oil or butter – Either will work great in this recipe, but you can use coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
  • Egg white – The egg white is essential for this recipe. It acts similar to a meringue and gives the pecans their crunchy sweet texture.
  • Sugar – Regular sugar works perfectly but you can use brown sugar for a more caramelized flavor if you like.

See the recipe card below of the full recipe.

Recipe Steps

ingredients for air fried candied pecans.

Step One: Combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl.

ingredients for air fried candied pecans in mixing bowl.

Step Two: Stir to combine.

ingredients for candied pecans in air fryer basket.

Step Three: Place the coated pecans in your air fryer basket lined with foil or parchment paper.

air fried candied pecans in serving bowl.

Step Four: Let cool and serve in a bowl.

I hope you enjoy this easy air fryer holiday recipe as much as I do!

Recipe Benefits

  • It’s only four ingredients, three of which are pantry staples. If you keep eggs, sugar, and butter on hand then all you have to do is purchase pecans. Candied pecans from specialty shops can be pricey and often have preservatives to make them shelf-stable. Homemade candied pecans are just as delicious and more affordable too.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian so almost everyone can enjoy them. They make a perfect snack or a great gift.
  • Air fryer pecans are a breeze to make. Just stir everything together and let the air fryer do the rest.

Recipe FAQs

Can I eat candied pecans hot out of the oven?

It’s best to let them cool first. Not only can hot sugar burn you but they crisp up as they cool. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes before devouring.

What are some ways I can use candied pecans?

Besides snacking, candied pecans are great on salads, cookies, ice cream, chicken, salmon, oatmeal, or sweet potatoes.

Can I use maple syrup to make candied pecans?

I like to use a granulated sweetener in this recipe. You can use white sugar, light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, coconut sugar, date sugar, or maple sugar!

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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a bowl of candied pecans.

Air Fryer Candied Pecans Recipe

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5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Just in time for the holiday season, here is a super easy recipe for crunchy and sweet Air Fryer Candied Pecans. Make this special treat for parties or as an edible gift. These candied nuts are great for snacking or for putting on salads.

  • Total Time: 36 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup pecan halves (you can also use almonds or cashews)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter, melted (use coconut oil or vegan butter for dairy-free diets)
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/4 cup sugar (you can use coconut sugar for a lower glycemic version)

Instructions

  1. Line your air fryer basket with aluminum foil. Cut a few slits in the foil to let the air circulate.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the pecan halves, coconut oil, egg white, and sugar. Stir to combine.
  3. Pour the nut mixture into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 300°F for 16-18 minutes, stopping to shake the basket at least 1-2 times during the cooking time (be careful to not let them burn). The nuts should be a dark amber color when they are done.
  4. Transfer the nuts to a serving bowl or plate and let them cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. The nuts will crisp up as they cool.

Notes

  1. Some air fryer models needs to be preheated. Please refer to the owner’s manual of your particular model to see if you need to preheat it before using.
  2. You can use whatever type of nut you like in this recipe, including almond or cashews.
  3. You can easily double this recipe depending on how big your air fryer is. Try not to crowd the nuts in the basket too much.
  4. The total time for this recipe includes 10 minutes for the nuts to cool and crisp up.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
  • Calories: 151
  • Sugar: 6.8 g
  • Sodium: 6.9 mg
  • Fat: 13.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8.2 g
  • Fiber: 1.3 g
  • Protein: 1.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is a certified holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.