Air fryer candied pecans are easy to make and delicious. The cinnamon sugar perfectly coats the pecans to create delicious candied nuts that are great for snacking on or for giving as gifts.
Over 10 years ago I had my first experience with candied pecans. The cinnamon sugar pecans were from a speciality nut bar at a grocery store and they were expensive (but delicious).
If I had known how easy candied nuts were to make (especially in an air fryer), I would have been making them at home!
Fortunately, now I've discovered how to make candied pecans, and I've perfected making them in the air fryer. This means delicious sugared pecans anytime I want! And so easy and inexpensive to make.
These are also great for gifts! I like to add the air fryer cinnamon sugar pecans to a mason jar with a cute ribbon or a holiday-specific tin. These are perfect any time of year, but I especially love making them during the holiday season.
Why make candied pecans in the air fryer
- Easy - The candied nuts seem impressive, but they are actually very easy to make!
- Quick - Making the candied pecans in the air fryer means they cook in less than 10 minutes! Much quicker than making them in the oven.
- Delicious - The pecans have just the right amount of sweetness from the cinnamon and sugar!
Ingredients
- Raw pecan halves - I like to buy these in bulk at my grocery store. You want halves, not smaller pieces!
- White granulated sugar
- Brown sugar (I used light brown sugar, but you can also use dark brown sugar)
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Ground cayenne pepper (optional) - This will give the pecans a tiny bit of spice.
- Egg white
How to make air fryer candied pecans
To a medium bowl, add your brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne.
Stir to combine! I like to do this with a fork, so I can help the brown sugar break up if needed and get properly incorporated.
In a large bowl, add an egg white. (Discard the yolk, or use it to make something else). Whisk the egg white with a fork or whisk until slightly frothy.
Add the pecan halves to the egg white and stir until pecan halves are coated in the egg white. They should look nice and glossy.
Add the cinnamon sugar mixture to the bowl and stir to evenly distribute.
Pecan mixture should look like this!
Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes, then add pecans. I did my pecans in two batches. (Also, if you are using parchment paper, DO NOT add the parchment while preheating. It can blow into the heating element and catch on fire. You need the pecans to weigh it down).
Air fry for 5-7 minutes, checking at the 5 minute mark for doneness.
Yum.
Pour or scoop cooked pecans onto a baking sheet covered in parchment paper or a silpat mat to cool. Let cool completely. The sugar mixture will harden as the pecans cool.
Enjoy the sugared pecans!
Recipe tips
- You may need to cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. (I have a large air fryer, and did these in two batches).
- Parchment paper can help keep your air fryer cleaner. However, do not add the parchment paper while preheating, it is a fire hazard (it can fly up and catch fire in the heating element due to airflow). Add the parchment paper after preheating when you're adding the pecans.
Customization ideas
These air fryer candied pecans are so easy to customize! Here are a few ideas:
- Want them spicier? Add more cayenne pepper to your mixture.
- Want more fall vibes? Add some pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice to your sugar mixture.
- Want to increase a certain flavor like cardamom? Just add some to your sugar mixture.
- Want to use a different nut? Almonds and walnuts both work well to make candied nuts.
Serving suggestions
The air fryer candied pecans are delicious served as a snack or dessert! They can also be delicious on top of salads to add a nice little sweetness and crunch.
I also love serving them on top of other desserts like air fryer pears or air fryer bananas. Candied pecans are also tasty on top of a sweet potato casserole or these chipotle mashed sweet potatoes.
How to store cinnamon sugar pecans
Candied pecans can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature or up to three weeks if stored in the refrigerator.
Make sure to cool completely before adding to a container for storage.
This recipe was adapted for the air fryer from the candied pecans on Gimme Some Oven. If you're looking for an oven-specific version, check out Ali's recipe.
Air fryer desserts
- Air fryer apple cobbler
- Air fryer puff pastry
- Air fryer apples
- Air fryer biscuit donuts
- Air fryer cinnamon toast
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try these!
Air Fryer Candied Pecans
Equipment
- Air Fryer Parchment Paper optional
Ingredients
- 12 ounces raw pecan halves
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 egg white lightly whisked
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne. Mix together until completely combined.
- In a large bowl, lightly whisk an egg white with a fork or whisk until slightly frothy. Add the pecans to the bowl and stir until the pecans are coated in the whisked egg white.
- Add the cinnamon sugar mixture to the pecans and mix until pecans are evenly coated.
- Preheat air fryer at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes, then add pecans to the air fryer in a single layer (may need to do in multiple batches).
- Cook for 5-7 minutes until cooked, but not burned. Spread pecans onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper to cool. (The sugar will harden as it cools).
- Cool completely, and enjoy.
Notes
- You may need to cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. (I have a large air fryer, and did these in two batches).
- Parchment paper can help keep your air fryer cleaner. However, do not add the parchment paper while preheating, it is a fire hazard (it can fly up and catch fire in the heating element due to airflow). Add the parchment paper after preheating when you're adding the pecans.
Nutrition
If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.
Laura
These are fantastic! Loved the cayenne pepper kick. DEFINITELY use parchment paper or you will have a mess.
Sally
I made this & it turned out great! Just wondering how long they’ll keep once made and packaged up?
Thank you,
Sally
Aimee
Let the cool completely before packaging and they should be great!
Carolyn
I just finished making this recipe. So easy & delightful tasting!
I have a small air fryer so it took 3 batch’s to cook them all.
It will never bake them in the oven again.
Aimee
So glad you enjoyed! Even in my large air fryer, it usually takes 2 batches, but it's so easy and quick!
Gayle
Do I leave the air fry tray in or take it out and do them directly in the basket with parchment?
Aimee
Leave the tray in! (I use a basket air fryer, so I don't worry about them falling, especially with the parchment).