Prep
Cook
Serves
5 mins.
15 mins.
lots
If you have ever been to a craft show in my area of the world, then you’ve smelled the sweet cinnamon sugar scent of Candied Pecans, Almonds, or Walnuts. Most of the craft shows in our area are held in local high schools. As soon as you walk through the door, the unmistakable aroma grabs you and guides you straight to the vendor selling bags of the warm sugar coated nuts.
For years, I’ve made these Candied Pecans in the oven. It’s still a good way of whipping up a batch, but I recently found out that the air fryer is a quick and easy alternative to the time spent waiting for my Candied Pecans to bake.
If you don’t own an air fryer, you can still make these delicious delights by baking them in an oven set to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the prepared nuts out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, and bake for 1 hour, removing the pan every 15 minutes to stir the nuts.
These Candied Pecans are delicious and my favorite type of Candied Nuts, but any type will work well so substitute the pecans for your favorite variety. Since Candied Pecans are coated in a sugary mixture, I recommend spraying your air fryer basket with cooking spray before whipping up a batch of these Candied Pecans.
Low heat will result in the best quality of Candied Pecans, so don’t bump the temperature up on your air fryer beyond 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, don’t forget to set your cooking time in 5 minute intervals and carefully stir the Candied Pecans at each of the 5 minute stops.
I love to add these Candied Pecans to empty Ball canning jars and give them as Christmas presents. Candied Pecans also make great appetizers as part of a charcuterie board at a brunch, baby or bridal shower, or even at a Superbowl party, and if you’re a salad lover then you must add a handful to your favorite salad.
I hope that you’ll try this recipe today and leave a comment below. Also, for updates follow @lifeabovethecafe on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest using the links found on this page.
Preheat the air fryer to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Add the egg, water, and vanilla to a large mixing bowl. Use a fork to vigorously stir the egg mixture until very frothy. Add the pecans to the bowl and stir until they are all coated in the egg mixture.
Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a separate mixing bowl. Pour the cinnamon sugar into the bowl with the pecans and gently stir until the pecans are evenly coated with the sugar.
Once the air fryer is warmed, add half of the pecans to the basket (according to the size of your air fryer). I have a large air fryer but still separated these and fryed two batches so the air could circulate better.
Air fry them for 15 minutes, stopping every 5 minutes to stir the pecans. They will clump together, but can be broken apart as stirred.
Once they’re finished cooking, spread them out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet to cool for 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container.
Note – some sugar will fall off of the pecans into the air fryer lower basket, so you may want to lay a sheet of aluminum foil underneath for easy clean up.
