Addictive Sweet Maple Coated Pecans

This mouth-watering air fryer candied pecan creation turns ordinary nuts into an addictive, crunchy delight that's ideal for munching, topping salads, or giving as presents. Using an air fryer gets you that sugary coating way faster than oven methods, with less cleanup and better consistency every time.

I stumbled onto this method during Christmas when my oven was tied up with other cooking. It's now my favorite way to make candied nuts anytime I need a fast batch for surprise visitors or last-minute gifts.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pecan halves: grab fresh ones for maximum taste and snap
• 2 tablespoons melted butter: helps the sweet coating stick properly
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup: gives the sweetness more character
• 1 large egg white: the key to that airy, crisp coating that doesn't fall off
• 1/2 cup brown sugar: brings that deep, caramel-like taste
• 2 tablespoons white sugar: creates that perfect crackly outside layer
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: adds cozy flavor depth
• Salt to taste: brings out all flavors and makes that sweet-salty magic

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the pecans:

Grab a medium bowl and pour in your pecan halves. Using halves works better than pieces since they show off more of that yummy coating and look prettier too.

Create the base coating:

Mix butter and maple syrup until they're fully melted. Do this in the microwave for 30 seconds or in a small pot on low heat. Pour this warm mix over your nuts and stir until every pecan looks shiny. The warm butter makes the sugar stick much better.

Whip the egg white:

Take another bowl and beat that egg white until it's foamy with soft peaks just starting to form. You want it looking like a fluffy cloud with tiny bubbles—not stiff. This usually takes 1-2 minutes of good whisking.

Combine egg white with pecans:

Using a rubber spatula, gently mix the foamy egg white into your butter-coated nuts. Keep folding until they're all evenly covered without any egg white puddles. This sticky layer is what makes the sugar stick so well.

Add the sugar coating:

In a small bowl, blend both sugars and cinnamon until smooth with no lumps. Sprinkle this mix over your sticky pecans and gently fold until they're all totally covered. The coating should look even and generous.

Preheat the air fryer:

Turn your air fryer to 350°F and let it heat up for 4 minutes. Don't put parchment paper in during preheating—it can fly into the heating part and start a fire.

Arrange and cook the pecans:

Put parchment paper in your hot air fryer basket and lay out the coated pecans in one layer. If your air fryer is small, do this in batches. Cook at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, giving them a stir every 2 minutes so they cook evenly.

Cool and season:

Right away, move the hot nuts to a baking sheet lined with parchment. Add salt while they're still hot so it sticks. Let them cool fully for at least 30 minutes—they'll get crispier as they sit.

Store properly:

After they've cooled down completely, put your candied pecans in an airtight container. They'll stay crunchy and tasty for up to four weeks if kept at room temperature.

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When I first made these for a Christmas party, they were gone within minutes. The trick is definitely using egg whites to get that amazing crispy, sweet shell on each pecan. My kid now asks for these on top of her morning oatmeal to make breakfast feel special.

Tasty Combos

These sweet pecans make almost any dish better. Try them over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for amazing texture and flavor. Toss them into a green salad with some goat cheese and dried cranberries for a fancy-looking side. They're also great on a cheese board, especially next to sharp cheddar or creamy brie where the sweet crunch works magic with the rich cheese.

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Fixing Problems

If your pecans feel sticky after cooling, they need more time cooking. Just pop them back in the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes, watching carefully so they don't burn. For extra crunch, make sure you whip your egg white just right—foamy but not too stiff. If they're cooking unevenly, stir them more often during cooking, about every minute or so.

Flavor Variations

The basic recipe works as a starting point for tons of tasty twists. Want some heat? Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne to the sugar mix for a sweet-spicy kick. For holiday vibes, try mixing in 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and a tiny bit of cloves with the cinnamon. In fall, swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice. For deeper flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to the butter mixture before coating.

Keeping Them Fresh

Though these nuts can last four weeks in an airtight container at room temp, they hardly ever stick around that long at my house. For gifts, pack them in mason jars with cute labels. Don't put them in the fridge—that adds moisture and softens the crunchy coating. Need to make them way ahead? They freeze great for up to three months. Just let them sit out for an hour before serving.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?

Sure, you can swap in walnuts, almonds, or cashews if you want. Just remember that each type of nut might need a bit more or less cooking time, so keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn.

→ What's the point of using egg white?

The egg white makes a light, fluffy layer that helps the sugar mix stick evenly all over the nuts, giving you that perfect crispy, candy-like outside after they're cooked.

→ How do I know when the nuts are ready?

They're done when they look dry but a little sticky, and you don't see any liquid at the bottom of your air fryer basket. They'll get harder and crunchier as they cool off on the parchment paper.

→ Can I make these with less sugar?

You can cut the sugar by up to half if you want. The nuts won't be quite as coated but they'll still have a nice sweet layer. You might want to add more cinnamon for extra flavor without the extra sweetness.

→ What are good ways to serve these nuts?

These sweet pecans are great just for snacking, but they're also amazing on top of salads, ice cream, yogurt, or morning oatmeal. They make wonderful holiday presents too when you put them in cute jars or bags.

→ Can I make these if I don't have an air fryer?

You bet! Just put your coated pecans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them in your regular oven at 300°F for about 20-25 minutes. Give them a stir halfway through and they'll turn out just as tasty!