Few things fill your kitchen with the cozy aroma of the holidays like a batch of Cinnamon Sugar Pecans. They’re crispy, sweet, and warmly spiced — the perfect balance between festive and snackable. Whether you’re making them as a homemade gift, topping a salad, or simply nibbling on a handful with coffee, these candied pecans are pure comfort in every bite.

This recipe is one of my favorites because it’s incredibly easy and endlessly versatile. You only need a few pantry staples — sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and egg white — and about an hour to transform plain pecans (or almonds!) into something absolutely irresistible. They stay fresh for weeks, making them perfect for gifting in jars, holiday parties, or your everyday snack stash.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly spiced: Warm cinnamon and vanilla make every bite feel cozy.
Sweet & crunchy: Light, crisp coating caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
Simple ingredients: Only 7 pantry staples — no candy thermometer needed.
Long shelf life: Keeps up to 2 weeks in an airtight jar — ideal for gifting.
Customizable: Use almonds, walnuts, or a mix for variety.

Ingredients

1 pound pecans (or almonds)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg white
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons water

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Set oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk the coating: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg white, water, and vanilla extract until frothy.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Coat the nuts: Add pecans to the egg white mixture and toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mix over the nuts and stir until fully covered.
Bake slowly: Spread coated pecans on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even toasting.
Cool & store: Remove from oven and cool completely before storing in airtight jars or containers.

Chef Emma’s Tips

For extra crunch: Bake until deep golden — the sugar caramelizes into a crisp shell.
Gifting tip: Package in small jars or bags tied with twine and a cinnamon stick for a festive touch.
Mix it up: Try adding nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for a cozy twist.
Storage: Keeps 2–3 weeks at room temperature or up to 2 months in the freezer.

Serving Ideas

These Cinnamon Sugar Pecans are amazing on their own, but they’re also delicious sprinkled on yogurt, oatmeal, salads, or even ice cream. Try them on a cheese board for a sweet contrast to savory cheeses — they always disappear fast!

Nutrition (per ¼ cup serving)

Calories: 220
Carbohydrates: 17g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 17g
Sodium: 50mg

Final Thoughts

These Cinnamon Sugar Pecans are the kind of treat that make your kitchen smell like the holidays — but you’ll want to make them all year long. They’re sweet, crunchy, and so easy to whip up that they’ll quickly become your go-to snack or homemade gift. Save this recipe for your Holiday Treats or Snack Ideas board — it’s one of those timeless classics you’ll reach for again and again.