Keto Candied Pecans

These delicious Keto Candied Pecans are a healthy treat on their own, or a crunchy, sweet enhancement for salads, desserts, or sweet potato recipes.  

Caramelized with low-carb sweetener, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon, they make a lovely treat for the holiday season or wrapped up as a gift for friends and neighbors.

Also amazing– this is a no-bake recipe, and comes together in only 5 minutes on the stovetop! A great last-minute addition to your holiday table.

I love to add a little sweetness and spice with these caramelized pecans year-round too.

During the spring and summer, they go fantastic on salads, fruit desserts such as Baked Apples or Fruit Crisps. During the fall and winter, they top sweet potato recipes and even go great over green beans if you like that salty-sweet thing.

This pecan recipe uses Swerve brown sugar as the sweetener. Pecans on their own are high in fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals with healthy fats. If you’re watching your calories or your sugar intake, this is a great option as it’s a fantastic zero-calorie brown sugar alternative. It works just like its regular brown sugar.

Key Ingredients

• Pecan halves – Halves are best to use especially if you want to snack on them. You can use chopped pecans or pecan pieces, which is great for toppings, but not quite a finger food. Walnuts are the closest to the pecan and can be substituted. 

• Swerve Brown Sugar – This brown sugar alternative does not affect blood sugar. Therefore, the calorie count for one teaspoon is a big zero. You could also use a brown monk fruit sweetener. However, regular brown sugar (or regular sugar ) works just fine if you’re not counting calories. If you like something a little more pure, use maple syrup. In my opinion, the brown Swerve is the best option.

• Vanilla Extract – Pure vanilla extract is best, I prefer to not use imitation.

How To Make Keto Candied Pecans

This is an overview of the recipe, make sure you read the full printable recipe card below for all the details.

Before you begin, prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and set it aside. I love this easy and inexpensive set. Nordic Ware Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet. 

1. Mix water, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla together.
   
2. Toast the pecans on medium heat in a saucepan. Stir occasionally until they become fragrant, about 5 minutes.
   
3. Pour the sauce mixture over the pecans in the pan and stir well to coat.
   
4. Spread the coated pecans on the parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer and cool at room temperature. The pecans will harden in a few hours.

Expert Tips

• Fresh is best! For best results, fresh pecans are a must-have. If you have some pecans that have been in the cupboard for awhile, check the date. Nuts can go rancid. You can always store them in the refrigerator or freeze them after you buy them in an airtight container and then thaw them for an hour on the counter when ready to make this recipe.

• Coating- When coating your pecans in the saucepan, be sure to stir constantly just until the brown sugar is dissolved. You can burn pecans and sugar and they will be bitter. Be careful not to leave them in the pan for too long. 

• Prep– Don’t forget to have your cookie sheet ready. When the pecans come out of the pan, they need to go straight onto the parchment paper and cookie sheet. If you forget this step, you can risk burning them. 

Frequently Asked Questions