These Candied Maple Pecans are made with just three ingredients and are the perfect sweet and salty snack to have on hand around the holidays or throughout the year. Add them to salads or charcuterie boards, or place them in jars for an easy hostess or neighbor gift!

Candied maple pecans in a pretty glass dish.

Table of Contents

Snackable, Giftable, Easy Maple Pecans

This is the kind of recipe I absolutely love to have on hand. These Maple Candied Pecans are easy to make, use ingredients I almost always have on hand, and make a perfect snack, appetizer, or gift. Oven roasting is a simple method that’s completely hands-off and foolproof, which means no babysitting or burning.

They also happen to be gluten-free, refined sugar free, and vegan! It’s a festive holiday miracle!

I first made these for our Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Goat Cheese, but I snacked through about half of them before they ever made it into the dish. I knew immediately I’d be making a lot more for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

Made with just pecans, maple syrup, and salt, this sweet and savory snack is irresistible. I love to keep a bowl on the countertop for easy snacking, but we’ve also added them to salads, yogurt bowls, pancakes, and ice cream. We’ve got all the tips for making maple pecans, plus variations and ideas for gifting below!

Enjoy!

Courtney

Key Ingredients

Bowls of pecan halves, maple syrup, and salt.

Pecans– I use unsalted raw pecan halves. If using salted pecans, do not add additional salt.
Real maple syrup– Please please use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup! It has the best flavor!
Salt– I used Kosher salt, but you could also use flaky sea salt if you want to get really fancy.

How to Roast Maple Pecans

Pecans drizzled with maple syrup on a sheet pan.

Step 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the pecans evenly over top. Drizzle with the maple syrup, then stir and redistribute the pecans in an even layer across the pan.

Roasted maple pecans on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Step 2: Roast the pecans in a 350 degree oven for 6 minutes, then toss. Roast for another 5-6 minutes, or until the maple syrup is frothy and thin and the pecans have taken on a golden brown color.

Step 3: Sprinkle the pecans with salt and toss a final time, then transfer the pecans to another clean sheet of parchment paper, spreading them out to dry and cool completely. (It’s okay if you snack on a few here! It’s hard to resist!)

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

Storage: Make sure the pecans are cooled completely, then store in an airtight container or glass jar at room temperature.
Make ahead: Candied pecans keep well for several weeks! Perfect for countertop snacking or holiday gifting.

Glass ice cream dish filled with roasted maple pecans.

Recipe Tips & Variations

For the best results, transfer the pecans to a clean sheet of parchment paper after baking. You can leave the pecans to dry on the baking sheet, but I found this sometimes left them a bit sticky.
Choose your texture: This recipe will produce crunchy glazed pecans, but my husband likes these best roasted for 2 minutes less. They’re a bit softer and stickier, but if that’s your preference, make them his way!
Experiment with different spices.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for a festive variation!
- Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper and reduce the maple syrup to 3 Tablespoons for a sweet and spicy variation.
- Add fresh minced rosemary or thyme + smoked paprika for an herby, smoky candied pecan.
Use different nuts. This method also works well with walnuts and hazelnuts.
For gifting: We recommend using a pretty glass jar, like these, tied with a ribbon, or a classic cone shaped candied nut bag. These holiday treat bags are especially fun!
For double batches: This recipe can easily be doubled, but you’ll need to do the nuts on two separate large baking sheets.

How to Use Maple Pecans: Pairings, Gifting, and More

These pecans are an awesome addition to salads, adding crunch and a hint of sweetness. They pair particularly well with Apple Fennel Salad, Autumn Pear Salad, and Summer Berry Salad.

These are also a great match for sweet potatoes. Try them with Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes or Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

I love eating maple pecans for breakfast on top of a Healthy Banana Split, Apple Butter Overnight Oats, Amish Baked Oatmeal, or Apple Cinnamon Pancakes.

And of course, these are great added to your favorite desserts. Lay them on top of Carrot Sheet Cake for an easy decoration or serve them with Caramelized Apple Pie and ice cream for the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert!

Don’t forget about cheese boards! Try adding maple pecans to a festive Holiday Charcuterie Board.

More Great Recipes for Pecans

Fellow pecan lovers, you’re also going to love:

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