5-Minute Candied Pecans (The Easiest Fancy Snack!)

Let me show you a magic trick. It’s a recipe that takes about five minutes, uses three main ingredients, and instantly makes salads, desserts, cheese boards, and even simple oatmeal feel a hundred times fancier. Meet your new secret weapon: 5-Minute Candied Pecans.

Forget fussy oven methods or sticky candy thermometers. This technique happens entirely in one skillet on your stovetop. We’re quickly toasting pecans (or walnuts!) in a touch of butter, then swirling them with brown sugar or maple syrup until they’re coated in a glossy, crunchy candy shell. But the real game-changer, the final “sprinkle” that makes these absolutely addictive, is a shower of flaky sea salt right at the end. That salty-sweet crunch is pure perfection. Keep a jar of these on hand, and you’ll find yourself sprinkling them on everything!

Why You’ll Love This Candied Nut Recipe

• Ready in 5 Minutes: Seriously! It’s the fastest way to get perfectly crunchy, candied nuts.
• Salty-Sweet Perfection: The combination of the sweet candy coating and the flaky sea salt is unbelievably delicious.
• Endlessly Versatile: They’re amazing on salads, sprinkled over roasted vegetables, topping yogurt or ice cream, added to a cheese board, or just eaten by the handful.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s make the easiest fancy snack ever. Here’s how.First, gather your three main ingredients. Pecans or walnuts, butter, and your sweetener of choice.

Next, toast the nuts. We’ll melt a little butter in a skillet and toast our nuts for just a minute or two until they smell fragrant. This brings out their natural flavor.Now for the magic candy coating. Add your sugar or maple syrup to the pan and stir constantly for just a minute or two until the sugar melts and coats every nut in a beautiful, glossy glaze.

Finally, the crucial “salty sprinkle!” Immediately pour the hot nuts onto parchment paper and sprinkle them generously with flaky sea salt while the candy coating is still wet. Let them cool completely, then break them apart. That’s it!

Ava’s Notes

• Watch Carefully! Sugar can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt very quickly. Stir constantly during the candying step and take it off the heat as soon as the nuts are coated.
• Pecans vs. Walnuts: Both work beautifully! Pecans tend to be a little sweeter, while walnuts have a slightly more earthy flavor. Use whichever you prefer or have on hand.
• Spice it Up: Feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon, cayenne pepper, or rosemary to the skillet along with the sugar for a fun flavor variation!

5-Minute Candied Pecans (or Walnuts)

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Servings

servings

Prep time

2

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Total time

7

minutes

A ridiculously fast and easy method for making perfectly crunchy, salty-sweet candied nuts in one skillet. The ultimate finishing touch for salads, desserts, and more.

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Ingredients

• 1 c pecan or walnut halves

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

• 2 tbsp packed brown sugar or pure maple syrup

• 1/4 tsp flaky sea salt (like Maldon), plus more for sprinkling

Directions

• Toast Nuts: Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the nuts and cook, stirring frequently, for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant.
• Candy: Add the brown sugar (or maple syrup) and the 1/4 tsp flaky salt to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the sugar melts and coats the nuts in a glossy glaze. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
• Cool & Sprinkle: Immediately pour the hot nuts onto a sheet of parchment paper, spreading them into a single layer. While they are still hot and sticky, sprinkle generously with additional flaky sea salt.
• Break Apart: Let the nuts cool completely (about 15-20 minutes). Once cool, break apart any clusters.
• Store: Store the candied nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

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