Candied Pecan Bites

Bring out the natural essence and flavor of pecans with my easy-to-whip together Candied Pecans. Both a sweet and savory snack, you have the hearty texture of the pecans along with the vegan sweeteners you find in nature. Topping the nuts with a trio of sweetness—molasses, maple syrup, and sugar—is a triple whammy of flavor. See what you can expect when combining a handful of healthy ingredients in this made-from-scratch snack and dessert.

Using Vegan Sweeteners to Candy Nuts

The main ingredient of this dish might be pecans but the true stars come in the sugars you choose to coat the nuts. First, you have the molasses that offers a deep sweet flavor. In addition, the molasses provides a healthy serving of manganese, magnesium, vitamin B6, potassium, copper, calcium, selenium, and iron. For someone who is eating a vegan diet, this is a great way to make sure you have all of your essential vitamins and minerals.

Molasses, also known as black treacle, is a sugar that comes from sugar beets or sugarcane. Then you have the addition of maple syrup to the mix, which is another healthy all-natural sweetener. Rather than processed white sugar, use raw or whole cane sugar as available for additional nutritional value.

By using this combination of sweeteners to coat the already hardy pecan, you get a nutritious and delicious dish. These Candied Pecans are treated with the extra touch to bring out their Southern flavor. After all, pecans grow naturally down South in states like Texas and Georgia. Whether you have your own pecan tree or just want a healthier version of the pecan pie side dish you typically take to Thanksgiving, these nuts are a true treat.

Love Pecans? Here is another great pecan recipe, perfect for the fall season.

Candied Pecan Bites

Bring out the natural essence and flavor of pecans with my easy-to-whip together Candied Pecans. Both a sweet and savory snack, you have the hearty texture of the pecans along with the vegan sweeteners you find in nature. Topping the nuts with a trio of sweetness—molasses, maple syrup, and sugar—is a triple whammy of flavor. See what you can expect when combining a handful of healthy ingredients in this made-from-scratch snack and dessert.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Allergens: Nuts
  • Servings: 10

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons molasses
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
  • 2 tablespoons whole cane sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. Mix the maple syrup and molasses in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

  3. Add the pecans and toss the mixture.

  4. Spread the pecans on your lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

  5. Remove the pecans from the oven, sprinkle them with sugar, and bake for an additional 4 minutes, allowing the sugar to bubble. 

  6. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place it on the rack to let it cool.

Bon appétit!

Recipe Notes

Healthy Hostess Gift Idea

Trying to decide what to bring for an upcoming Thanksgiving dinner? Here is a double-duty dish—Candied Pecans. When you toss together this simple plant-based snack in a nicely adorned container, you have a perfect hostess gift. Nuts are a rich and satisfying healthy snack that is welcomed in most households. However, before you hand over a container of any nuts including pecans check with your hostess for any nut allergies.