Get ready to fill your home with the most intoxicating aroma of sweet, cinnamon-spiced nuts. These Slow Cooker Candied Pecans are the easiest, most foolproof way to create a classic holiday treat. With just a few minutes of prep, your crockpot does all the work, slowly toasting the pecans to crunchy perfection in a sweet candy shell. Forget standing over a hot stove; this set-it-and-forget-it recipe is a game-changer for holiday snacking, gifting, and topping your favorite desserts.
Whether you need a simple, homemade gift for neighbors or a delicious snack to set out for a party, this recipe is your new best friend. The results are irresistibly crunchy, perfectly sweet, and so much better than anything you can buy at the store.
Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Candied Pecans
There are so many reasons to adore this simple recipe. It’s designed for busy people who still want to enjoy homemade treats during the holidays. This is the perfect recipe to make while you’re decorating the tree or wrapping presents.
- Incredibly Easy: With just 5 minutes of hands-on time, this is a truly low-effort recipe with a huge payoff.
- Frees Up Oven Space: During busy holiday cooking, the last thing you have is spare oven space. Using the slow cooker is a brilliant solution.
- Perfectly Crunchy, Never Burnt: The gentle, even heat of the slow cooker ensures the sugar mixture perfectly coats the pecans without scorching.
- A Versatile Treat: These candied pecans are amazing on their own, but they also make a fantastic topping for salads, ice cream, or even a sweet potato casserole.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of pantry staples to create this deliciousness. This recipe is all about simple ingredients coming together to create something truly special.
- Pecan Halves: The star of the show! Look for fresh, raw pecan halves for the best texture and flavor.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: A combination of both gives the candy coating the perfect flavor and texture.
- Egg White: This is the secret ingredient that helps the sugar mixture cling to the pecans and creates that signature light, crispy shell.
- Ground Cinnamon: For that classic warm, holiday spice.
- Salt: A little salt balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a beautiful depth of flavor to the sweet coating.
- Water: Just a touch to loosen the egg white and help everything mix together.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Candied Pecans
Making these Slow Cooker Candied Pecans is as simple as mix, dump, and stir. Follow these easy steps for a foolproof batch every single time.
Step 1: Create the Coating
In a large bowl, whisk the egg white and water together until it becomes frothy, about 30 seconds. This step is crucial for creating that light, crispy coating. Once frothy, add the vanilla extract and whisk again to combine.
Step 2: Coat the Pecans
Add the pecan halves to the egg white mixture. Stir gently until every single pecan is evenly coated. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Sprinkle this mixture over the coated pecans and stir until they are completely covered in the sugary goodness.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Lightly grease the insert of your slow cooker or use a liner for easy cleanup. Transfer the coated pecans into the slow cooker and spread them into an even layer. Cook on LOW for 3 hours, stirring every 45 minutes. It’s important to stir to ensure they cook evenly and don’t stick together too much. For the final hour, leave the lid slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape, which helps the pecans get extra crispy.
Step 4: Cool and Crisp
Once the cooking time is up, immediately spread the pecans in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a fork to separate any large clumps. Let them cool completely at room temperature. As they cool, the candy coating will harden into a deliciously crisp shell. This is the hardest part—waiting for them to be cool enough to eat!
Tips for a Foolproof Batch Every Time
Want to ensure your candied pecans are absolutely perfect? Follow these simple tips from our kitchen.
- Don’t Skip the Stirring: Stirring every 45 minutes is key to prevent the sugar from burning on the bottom and to ensure all the pecans get evenly toasted.
- Vent the Lid: Leaving the lid slightly ajar for the last hour is a critical step for achieving the crunchiest nuts possible. It lets the excess moisture out.
- Cool Completely: The pecans will not be crunchy right out of the slow cooker. They must cool completely on the parchment paper for the coating to harden properly. Be patient!
- Use Fresh Pecans: The quality of your nuts makes a huge difference. Ensure your pecans are fresh and not stale for the best flavor.
Delicious Variations to Try
While the classic cinnamon-sugar flavor is a winner, you can easily customize these nuts. Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy-sweet kick, or a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice for an autumnal twist. For a different flavor profile, you could also use almonds or walnuts. This recipe is a fantastic base for your creativity.
How to Serve and Store Your Candied Nuts
These candied pecans are incredibly versatile. Serve them in a bowl as a simple party snack, sprinkle them over a salad for a sweet crunch, or use them as a topping for yogurt or oatmeal. They’re also a perfect addition to a holiday cheese board. For a truly decadent dessert, try them on top of our famous creamy peanut butter pie.
Store the completely cooled pecans in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for the holidays. They also make a wonderful homemade gift when packaged in a festive jar or bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can double this recipe. Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough (6-quart or larger is recommended) to hold the nuts in a relatively even layer. You do not need to increase the cooking time.
Absolutely! This recipe works wonderfully with other nuts like almonds, walnuts, or even a mixed nut blend. The cooking time should remain the same.
The key to preventing sticky pecans is to allow moisture to escape during the final hour of cooking by propping the slow cooker lid slightly ajar. It is also crucial to let them cool completely in a single layer on parchment paper so the candy coating can fully harden.
When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these candied pecans will stay fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks.
The whisked egg white acts as a binder that helps the sugar and spice mixture adhere to the nuts. It also creates a light, crispy, and almost meringue-like shell when cooked, which results in a superior texture.
More Holiday Recipes to Love
If you loved how easy this recipe was, you’ll love our other no-fuss holiday favorites. Be sure to check out our creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese and our super-fast 30-Minute Dinner Rolls to complete your holiday menu!
Slow Cooker Candied Pecans Recipe
Slow Cooker Candied Pecans (The Easiest Holiday Treat)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the egg white and water until frothy. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
- Add the pecan halves to the egg white mixture and stir until evenly coated. In a separate small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Sprinkle over the pecans and stir until well-coated.
- Transfer the coated pecans to a greased slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 3 hours, stirring every 45 minutes. For the last hour, place the lid on slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape.
- Spread the pecans in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Separate any clumps with a fork and let them cool completely. The coating will harden as they cool.
Notes
Variations: Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick or use other nuts like almonds or walnuts.
Pin This Recipe For Later!
Don’t lose this recipe! Save it to your favorite holiday board on Pinterest. It’s the perfect treat to share with friends and family.
