Sugar Free Candied Pecans Recipe (on the stovetop) (2024)

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These Sugar Free Candied Pecans are the perfect keto friendly snack for those of us with a sweet tooth but trying to cut down on the sugar!

Sugar Free Candied Pecans Recipe (on the stovetop) (1)

Easy Low Carb Sweet Treats

I try to keep my net carb countandsugar levels below a certain amount each day. (My goal is net carbs of 45, fyi.) I eat lots of veggies and I do like my fruit/protein smoothies on occasion.

While these items are super healthy, they do have carbs and natural sugars, so that means I don’t have a lot of room for added sugars. (I do occasionally indulge, but I try to keep that to a minimum, lol.)

To stay on track when everyone else is enjoying their carb-loaded desserts and treats, I reach for my stash of sugar-free goodies or I might whip up a batch of sugar-free ice cream. (That ice cream <and this ice cream maker> is a lifesaver, lol. At some point, I’ll share my sugar-free ice cream version with you. The recipe needs to be fine-tuned just a bit. It’s made with eggs, lite coconut milk, almond milk, and a few other ingredients. Sometimes it turns out perfectly, other times it’s kind of icy- probably because I just eyeball my ingredients instead of precise measurements, lol).

Sugar-Free Candied Pecans

Today, I want to share one of my favorite treats with you. I love nuts and always have them on hand for snacking, but these candied pecans are amazing as a special sugar-free sweet treat.

I’ve been making them quite often and hubby and I just can’t get enough! (Tomorrow, I’m sharing a non-sugar-free version of these in a buttered pecan ice cream recipe. Be sure to check back for that recipe- it’s unbelievably good and your non-sugar-free family and friends will love it!!)

Sugar Free Candied Pecans Recipe (on the stovetop) (2)

To make these candied pecans sugar free, I use Swerve. (Swerve is asugar substitutethat is a mix of erythritol and oligosaccharides. This combination works well in baking and will also caramelize.) I don’t know if other sugar substitutes will caramelize, as Swerveis the only one I’ve tried in this recipe.

Ingredients in this Sugar-Free Candied Pecans Recipe

Want to give these Sugar Free Candied Pecans a shot? Here are the ingredients needed:

  • 1cup whole unroasted/naturalpecans
  • 3tbs butter
  • 4tbspSwerve Sweetener
  • pinch of salt
  • optional: Cinnamon

Yes, that is all it is!

How to Make Sugar Free Candied Pecans

(Scroll down to find the Printable recipe card at the bottom of the post)

  1. Melt butter in large panover med-high heat.
  2. Add swerve and a pinch of salt, stir with a spatula until completely dissolved.
  3. Add pecans, reduce heat to medium and gently stir/toss pecans until toasted and butter/sugar mixture thickens just a bit. (about 5 minutes.)Sugar Free Candied Pecans Recipe (on the stovetop) (3)
  4. If you like cinnamon, try adding a dash of cinnamon.
  5. Watch pecans closely they go from being done to burned, very fast.
  6. Transfer pecans to a plate or parchment paper and let cool.
  7. Break up pecans and store in an airtight container in the fridge

Sugar Free Candied Pecans Recipe (on the stovetop) (4)

Want a few more tried and true low carb recipes? See all the low carb recipes I have shared here: Low Carb Recipes

I know everyone has their own opinion on sugar substitutes, but what do you think- is this something you would try?
(FYI, by reducing our sugar/carb intake- I lost 35 lbs and hubby lost 50+ 2 years ago and have managed to keep it off by staying on a mostly low carb way of eating.)

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Sugar Free Candied Pecans Recipe (on the stovetop) (5)

Sugar Free Candied Pecans

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 19 reviews

  • Author: Jamie Sanders
  • Prep Time: 1
  • Cook Time: 6 to 7
  • Total Time: 10 minute
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

These Sugar-Free Candied Pecans are the perfect keto-friendly snack for those of us with a sweet tooth but trying to cut down on the sugar!

Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in large panover med-high heat.
  2. Add swerveand stir with spatula until dissolved.
  3. Add pecans, reduce heat to medium and gently stir/toss pecans until toasted. (about 5 minutes.)
  4. Watch pecans closely they go from being done to burned, very fast.
  5. Transfer pecans to a plate and let cool.
  6. Break up pecans and store in an airtight container in the fridge

Enjoy!

Notes

For a yummy alternative, try adding 1/4 tspof cinnamon or a smidge of vanilla!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4th of recipe
  • Calories: 266
  • Fat: 29
  • Carbohydrates: 4
  • Fiber: 3

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About the AuthorJamie Sanders is a wife and mom of 2, located in the heart of Texas. She founded Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom in 2011 as a place to share creative ideas and family friendly recipes. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart, Woman’s World, HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, CNET, Good Housekeeping, Yahoo, Oprah Daily, and Redbook, plus many other publications. To date, she had given away just under a million free pdf sewing patterns.
Sugar Free Candied Pecans Recipe (on the stovetop) (2024)

FAQs

Can diabetics eat candied pecans? ›

Since nuts are low on the glycemic index, pecans can slow the body's absorption of carbohydrates down, which ultimately leads to lower blood glucose (sugar) levels; just ensure you're using unsalted, dry-roasted pecans and not candied pecans that can be high in sugar and added fat.

Why are my candied pecans soggy? ›

Why are my candied pecans soft and sticky? If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

Are praline pecans the same as candied pecans? ›

Praline pecans are just one variety of candied pecans. These pecans have a tasty coating or glaze and are also referred to as flavored pecans.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

After 45 minutes, remove them from the oven and let them rest. You can remove the pecans to a baking sheet to cool faster if you like. Stir them every 10 minutes or so to avoid them clumping together, or you can just break them apart with a spatula or your hands later. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Do pecans help lower A1c? ›

This is because pecans have a low glycemic index, which means they're digested slowly, releasing glucose into your bloodstream more gradually. Eating low-glycemic-index foods can help regulate blood sugar levels, making them an ideal choice for people with diabetes.

What is the healthiest nut for a diabetic? ›

The most important nuts for people with diabetes are probably the ones that improve cardiovascular health: almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, namely. If you only incorporate a few nuts into your diet, choose these ones. But be sure to avoid the salted varieties.

Is it okay to eat pecans everyday? ›

Pecans are Heart Healthy

Many people don't realize that pecans are a heart-smart choice. A recent study found that a handful of pecans each day (about 19 pecan halves) helped improve some markers of cardiometabolic disease, which includes certain cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

How long can you keep candied pecans? ›

How long will candied pecans keep? They will keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature, at least three weeks in the refrigerator, or up to two months in the freezer. No matter where you store them, keep in a tightly sealed, airtight container.

Do candied nuts go bad? ›

Ba-dum-dum. Okay, all bad dad jokes aside, these candied walnuts will last quite a while. All nuts do go rancid eventually, but as long as you cool them completely and then store them in an air-tight container, they should be good for about a month. You might also like our Candied Pecans recipe or Candied Almonds!

How many cups is one pound of pecans? ›

Measurements and Substitutions

If you happen to have pecans in their shells, remember that 1 pound equals 3 cups shelled, about 4 cups pecan halves, and about 3 3/4 cups chopped nuts. Equivalents to know when using shelled pecans are that 1 pound equals 4 cups and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped.

Can dogs have pecans? ›

These nuts are toxic for dogs. Eating them can result in pets becoming sick and needing immediate veterinary care. “The reason pecans are considered toxic is that they contain a compound called juglone, also found in walnuts, that is harmful to dogs,” advises Dr.

Why do you boil pecans before cracking? ›

The first step is to place them in a pot and cover them with water. Boil for about 10 minutes, drain them in a colander, and let them cool enough to handle. Boiling them first will soften the shell, making them easier to crack. The moisture will also reduce the mess by preventing so many tiny shell fragments.

How much sugar is in candied pecans? ›

Candied Pecans
Amount Per Serving
Total Carbohydrate 9g3%
Dietary Fiber 2g7%
Sugars 7g0%
Protein 2g4%
6 more rows

Is pecan candy good for you? ›

Pecans by themselves, or when made into the tastiest pecan candy treats feeds our healthy skin, acts as a stress reducer, and is an anti-aging tool with all of its vitamins and minerals.

Can a diabetic eat a slice of pecan pie? ›

Pumpkin or pecan pie

With the crust, butter, and sugar needed, pies are a danger to blood sugar. Limit the serving by splitting a slice at the table with a family member. Pumpkin pie is a healthier choice than pecan pie which can have triple the amount of calories.

Are glazed pecans good for you? ›

This crunchy snack of glazed pecans is great for topping ice cream, garnishing a salad, or nibbling all on their own. They'd even make a great gift or game day appetizer. Nuts are high on the list of healthy snacks with great levels of fiber, protein and unsaturated fats.

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