Gluten Free Cinnamon Spiced Pecans are sweet, crunchy (relatively healthy) gluten free snack you can whip up in no time. They make a fabulous addition to salads, sweet snack, charcuterie boards, and even desserts. And of course, Cinnamon Roasted Pecans are also perfect for Christmas gifts. Wrap them up in a cute mason jar or little bags, tie them with a bow and you are good to go.
If you have some extra leftover egg whites after making my cookie recipes such as Gluten Free Snickers Cookies or Gluten Free Levain Bakery Cookies, this recipe is an excellent way to use up to spare egg whites. You could always make an egg white omelet but cinnamon-spiced pecans sound better.
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Recipe Ingredient Notes
Pecans: I prefer using raw, halved unsalted pecans in this recipe for cinnamon roasted pecans. If Pecans are not your thing, raw walnuts, cashews or almonds can be used instead.
Sugar: In all my years making this recipe, I have only used light brown sugar. If you would like to make this recipe paleo, feel free to use coconut sugar.
Cinnamon: Use high-quality ground cinnamon for this recipe such as Vietnamese cinnamon. This is the strongest, richest, and sweetest cinnamon with the best flavor. If you want to switch up the flavors, feel free to use pumpkin spice or apple pie spice in this recipe for Cinnamon Roasted Pecans.
Salt: Don't be afraid to give those pecans a good sprinkle of Kosher Sea Salt when they come from the oven. The salt helps to balance the sweetness in this recipe. I use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt in all my recipes and Maldon’s Flaky Sea Salt as my finishing salt (the flaky sea salt I put on almost all my baked goods). Not all salts are created equal. If you use Morton’s Kosher Salt please be aware that their salt granules are smaller in size, denser, and crunchier. 1 teaspoon of Diamond Crystal Kosher salt weighs roughly 3 grams while 1 teaspoon of Morton’s Kosher Salt weighs almost 5 grams. Therefore if use another brand other than Diamonds Crystal Kosher Salt please be aware that this can throw off the entire recipe.
How to make Gluten Free Cinnamon Spiced Pecans
If you can whisk egg whites, you can make cinnamon-spiced pecans. Yes, this recipe is this simple.
Step 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Preheat the oven to 325 F degrees.
Step 2: Start out by separating the egg whites from the egg yolks (unless you already have some egg whites in your fridge that need to be used up). Add the egg whites to a large bowl and with a whisk or a hand mixer, whip them to firm peaks. This should take 1-2 minutes.
Step 3: Combine the light brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt and add it to the whipped egg whites. Whip it all together. Yes, the egg whites will lose some of their volume but that's okay.
Step 4: Add the raw nuts to your sugar mixture and fold them together. Make sure all the pecans are coated with egg whites.
Step 5: Transfer the pecans prepared pan in a single layer and bake at 325F in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Step 6: After 15 minutes give the pecans a good stir. You will notice that the egg whites look puffy but the stirring will create this delicious coating for your pecans. Continue to bake for another 10 minutes, stir again and return the nuts to the oven for an additional 10 minutes. At this point, the cinnamon-sugar pecans should start to look dry with a crumbly-looking coating.
Step 7: The cinnamon-spiced pecans are done when the sugar coating looks crisp and still has a slight stickiness to it. Just like a touch. The magic number with my oven is 35 minutes.
Step 8: Turn off the oven and allow the pecans to slowly cool down with the oven door cracked open.
Storage
Once the cinnamon roasted pecans are fully cooled, transfer them to an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Their shelf life really depends on how well you store them. I like to store them in mason jars with a tight lid.
How to use Candied Pecans
Aside from snacking on them by the handful, here are a few ideas on how to use those candied pecans. They also make a fabulous holiday gift. I like to place them in cellophane bags, tie them with a pretty bow and give them away for the holidays.
- Ice cream sundaes and milkshake toppings
- Decoration for cakes and cupcakes
- Salad topping - candied pecans make a delicious addition to salads (Try goat cheese, candied pecans, and dried cherries)
- Cheese plates and charcuterie boards
- Chocolate bark
- Pumpkin pie topping
How to make Savory Gluten Free Spiced Pecans
If you would like to make those Gluten Free Spiced Pecans Savory, I recommend using the following sugar and spice mix instead.
- 100 grams of light brown sugar
- 1-2 teaspoons of high-quality curry powder
- a pinch of cayenne pepper
- 2-3 dashes of hot sauce (depending on how spicy you prefer)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
FAQ for Gluten-Free Cinnamon Spiced Pecans
I am not claiming they are healthy but cinnamon spiced pecans are made with simple ingredients. Plus Pecans are a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which help lower blood pressure.
Freezing candied nuts can be tricky since you do not want them to get wet. Moisture will ruin the crispy coasting. If you want to freeze them, I recommend using a food saver or very tight closing freezer bags.
If your candied nuts are sticky and soft, you most likely have not baked them long enough OR the humidity in your kitchen got to them. You can easily re-crisp them by popping them back in the oven for 5-8 minutes at 250F.
Baking in grams
I share my recipes in grams and by weight since baking by weight is the most accurate way to bake. Digital Scales are very affordable and very affordable. You can purchase them on Amazon for less than a set of measuring cups. Measuring cups are very inaccurate and can cause significant errors when it comes to baking. Especially since I bake with gluten-free flours which weigh differently than “regular” flours. I do provide some ingredients like spices and leavening agents in measuring spoons. To learn more about Baking with a digital scale, make sure to check out my post about Baking by weight.
Note about Ovens and Oven Temperatures
All my recipes are tested and developed with a conventional oven. I always bake my baked goods on the rack placed in the MIDDLE of my oven. This way the heat coming from the bottom will not burn my baked goods.
If you are baking with convection (fan-forced), please adjust the recipes accordingly. Be also prepared that the convection oven can cause your baked goods to dry out quickly and still be raw inside. Be aware that it takes at least 15-20 minutes for a standard American Oven to be fully preheated. I highly recommend investing in an Oven Thermometer.
Substitutions and Modifications
Any dietary or ingredient modifications/substitutions to this recipe may alter the end result in appearance and taste. I test my recipes several times as published in this post and The Gluten Free Austrian Blog is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you find on our website.
📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Cinnamon Spiced Pecans
Easy recipe for Gluten Free Cinnamon Spiced Pecans. Slow roasted with brown sugar and cinnamon, they make an irresistible snack everyone will love.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roasted Pecans
- 450 grams raw shelled pecan halves
- 2 egg whites
- 100 grams light brown sugar
- 1-2 teaspoon ground Saigon cinnamon (depends on how spicy you want your pecans to be)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for sprinkling the finished product
Instructions
How to make Gluten Free Cinnamon Spiced Pecans
- Preheat your oven to 325F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk egg whites until firm peaks. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, kosher salt, and whisk to combine.
- Add the pecans to the egg whites - sugar mixture and gently mix until the pecans are well coated.
- Spread the pecans into a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in your preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes give the pecans a good stir. You will notice that the egg whites look puffy but the stirring will create this delicious coating for your pecans.
- Continue to bake for another 10 minutes, stir again and return the nuts to the oven for an additional 10 minutes. At this point, they should start to look dry with a crumbly coating.
- The Pecans are done when they look dry but may still feel a bit sticky. Just make sure not to overbake them.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with kosher salt and allow the pecans to cool completely on the baking sheet.
- When completely cool, store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
Notes
My candied nuts are not crispy: If your candied nuts are sticky and soft, you most likely have not baked them long enough OR the humidity in your kitchen got to them. You can easily re-crisp them by popping them back in the oven for 5-8 minutes at 250F.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1ozAmount Per Serving: Calories: 175
Maiko says
These will make a lovely topping for cakes and ice creams! Look so nice and crunchy. I might sub the egg white with aquafaba. Thanks for the lovely recipe!
Daniela Weiner says
Aquafaba works perfectly here. Thank you, Maiko
Stefanie says
I love coated nuts and never thought to make them at home! Great idea, thanks!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Yum! These gluten-free cinnamon spiced pecans are just screaming Fall to me! I love all the delicious spice flavor!
Freya says
These are dangerously addictive but so delicious and really easy to throw together! Perfect for a little party snack too!
Jill says
Never made these before and glad I used my extra egg whites and gave them a try! Recipe was easier than expected and they turned out great! I'll probably experiment with more/different spices in the future and maybe a little less salt since I like mine sweet(personal preference). I love using grams when baking, and all the little tips and tricks added in these recipes are always so helpful!
Crystal says
These look so delicious and perfect to top fall desserts with! Thanks for this easy recipe!
Lucy says
These are delicious. Great on their own as a snack but I love that they can be added to such a wide variety of other foods too. Thank you for sharing another great gluten free recipe.
Anaiah says
Loving these gluten free cinnamon spiced pecans! They're the perfect little snack on its own. And I'll be sprinkling these onto all my baked treats this fall!
Joshua says
These spiced pecans were delicious and simple to make. My wife and I are planning to give them as party favors!
Julia says
These candied nuts are the perfect thing to sprinkle over baked apples and over yoghurt and fruit deserts for a little bit of crunch and a delicious contrast in flavour. I made the savoury version but my son and husband devoured them before I even got to try any ... so I'm making those again. Thank you.
Choclette says
Oh goodness, my mouth is watering. I adore pecan nuts, but they're not the easiest ones to get hold of hear in the UK. Though I guess your mix would work just as well on walnuts. Or indeed any other nut.
Lisa says
I have a bag of walnuts. I have made your recipe for candied almonds and we all really liked it. Would you recommend me using your candied pecan recipe or your candied almond recipe for walnuts? Thank you!
Daniela says
ohhhh, you could totally do both recipes. If it would be me, I would use the candied almond recipe. I just love that crunch!
Lisa says
Thank you!
Kathleen Riley says
These were delightful and so easy to make! Can’t keep my husband out of them as they cool in the pan. 🤣 Will definitely make these again.
Daniela says
Yay! I love hearing this. Thank you, Kathleen
Megan says
Such a simple and quick snack to bring together! I slightly overbaked my batch but it was still delicious.