Keto Candied Pecans

Keto Candied Pecans are a perfect sweet afternoon snack or topping for salads. With rich toasted pecans and a sweet caramel glaze, these low carb candied pecans are a joy with every bite! This easy recipe is also sugar-free, gluten-free, and a 1/4 cup serving has less than 2 net carbs.

Candied Pecans are one of my favorite treats. I put them on salads, incorporate them into my healthy ice cream recipes and desserts, and I especially love sneaking a handful in the afternoon when I just want a few bites of something sweet.

Plus, gluten-free keto candied pecans are a must-have during the holiday months. It feels good to eat something so decadent and sweet that isn’t made with refined sugars.

You can add these candied pecans to a homemade trail mix, munch on a handful for a low carb snack, or eat them any other way you can think of. They are truly incredible, and I have a feeling you are going to love them as much as we do.

This is the recipe I converted into my Keto Pecan Pralines Recipe.

Not to mention the fact that this candied pecan recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare! You already know how much I love making keto recipes for fast treats. If you can prepare delicious low carb recipes that only take a few minutes, it’s a no-brainer. Okay, let’s get started on the good stuff!

Ingredients

• Pecans – You can start with raw pecans or roasted salted pecans. If you start with raw pecans, I do recommend roasting them first to increase their flavor.
• Sweetener – I normally use my sweetener blend. But you can try another keto-friendly sweetener such as Swerve brown sugar or a monk fruit sweetener if you prefer.
• Heavy Cream – Cream is necessary to make the candy coating.
• Butter – I use unsalted butter in this recipe.
• Salt – The added salt will enhance the other flavors.
• Vanilla Extract – Vanilla naturally enhances the other flavors in the candy coating.
• Cinnamon – Adding cinnamon is optional, but we enjoy the flavor it gives these low carb candied pecans.

See recipe card for quantities.

Pin

How to Make Keto Candied Pecans

I don’t think you will ever find an easier sugar-free candied pecans recipe. Three steps and you can indulge in these babies in no time! Let’s take a look at the simple steps.

Step One: Begin by combining 2 tablespoons of butter, heavy cream, and sweetener together in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sweetener has dissolved, then mix in the vanilla and cinnamon.

Step Two: Continue to cook until the mixture is a deep golden brown color. Once it reaches this color, you will need to remove it from the heat and add in the additional tablespoon of butter. Stir until smooth.

Once it reaches a deep golden brown, you need to remove it from the heat. If you keep cooking it, it can burn very quickly.

Step Three: Stir in the toasted pecans. Sprinkle on some salt and drop the mixture by the spoonful in a single layer onto wax paper or parchment paper on a baking pan. Refrigerate until they are firm.

 

Substitutions

• Other Nuts – You can use this recipe for almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, or even cashews. Just keep in mind that the carb counts will vary. Check out my recipe for keto candied walnuts.
• Sweetener – My sweetener blend works well, but you can try a brown sugar substitute for a deeper caramel flavor. Different sweeteners may affect how the coating sets.

Variations

These candied pecans are incredible just the way the recipe is written. I wanted to share some of my favorite ideas in case you want to try out some additional flavors.

• Pecan Halves – Stick with pecan halves, not pecan pieces. You will end up with a more uniform result than if you use pecan pieces. Pecan pieces tend to stick together and create clusters, and they aren’t as easy to separate or eat.
• Other Spices – Using pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice is a yummy way to adjust the flavors. Just swap the cinnamon or use it in addition to the cinnamon to taste.
• Molasses – Really. Add a couple of drops of molasses for a brown sugar flavor. You don’t need much as you are using it for flavor and not as the sweetener.

Equipment

You’ll need a medium saucepan, a spoon or whisk for stirring, and a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper.

Storage

Store the cooled candied pecans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

They are great for making ahead of time, especially during the holidays when you want to have a sweet snack ready to go.

Common Questions

Are Candied Pecans Keto?

Regular candied pecans are not keto. They are normally coated with sugar. Using a white or brown sugar substitute to make them at home is your best option.

Should I Toast My Pecans First?

Please take the time to toast your pecans first. It deepens the flavor of the nuts. I recommend toasting them at 400 degrees F until they are lightly browned, watching carefully so they don’t burn.

How to Use Keto Candied Pecans

There are tons of ways to use candied pecans. They are excellent on spinach salads with blue cheese, my Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette, and fresh berries. You can also toss them in with almonds, walnuts, sugar-free chocolate chips, and other ingredients to make an incredible trail mix. It’s great for on-the-go snacks too.

If you love ice cream, try topping your favorite keto ice cream like my Keto Vanilla Ice Cream or Cinnamon Roll Ice Cream, with a few candied pecans.

Oh, and the best part is that you can even give these lovely candied pecans away as gifts. Put them in a cute little glass jar, add some ribbon, and you end up with an adorable gift no one can resist. Keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to give them away.

Like what you see? Follow me on Facebook and Instagram! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & a 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!

Originally Published November 26, 2015. Revised and Republished November 5, 2026.