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

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.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

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.

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

How much pecans can you eat on keto? ›

With carb restriction of about 20-50g per day, adding pecans to your keto diet is a good idea, since you'll get 1g of net carbs if you eat about 19 halves of pecan nuts. The nuts also have about 70% fats, which is an excellent addition in achieving ketosis.

How to make candied nuts not sticky? ›

Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325°F (162°C) and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

How do you take the bitterness out of pecans? ›

Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking. To "sweeten" the pecan meats (kernels), simply put the pecan kernels in a bowl and fill with lukewarm water. Stir and tumble the meats in the water for several minutes and you will see the discoloration in the water.

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.

Do candied pecans need to be refrigerated? ›

Storage Instructions: Candied nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for several weeks. Freezing Instructions: They freeze well in an air-tight container for up to two months. Nuts: use any kind of nuts with this recipe, like walnuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews, or pistachios.

Why are my pecans sticky? ›

The real culprits behind the honeydew are aphids. Aphids are soft-bodied insects that suck sap from plant leaves. Many species of aphids exist and attack various plants, but two types of aphids attack pecan trees and secrete honeydew, the yellow pecan aphid and the black-margined aphid.

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.

How many pecans should a diabetic eat? ›

A one-ounce serving of pecans (about 19 pecan halves) contains about 3g of fiber, which can help slow sugar absorption into your bloodstream. This can help prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes, which are common in people with diabetes.

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.

Which nut has the lowest carbs? ›

Here are ten of the best nuts to indulge in on a keto diet:
  • Pecans. Pecans contain the least amount of carbs out of all nuts, with only one ounce of pecans containing just one gram of net carbs. ...
  • Brazil Nuts. ...
  • Macadamia Nuts. ...
  • Hazelnuts. ...
  • Pine Nuts. ...
  • Almonds. ...
  • Cashews.
Oct 21, 2021

What is the most filling food on keto? ›

13 of the best keto foods that keep you full
  • Mushrooms are a very filling vegetable. ...
  • Sauerkraut is rich in filling fiber. ...
  • Coconut yogurt can promote satiation. ...
  • Green pesto has an amazing fiber content. ...
  • Sardines are incredibly healthy. ...
  • Add eggs to your diet . ...
  • Make sure you are consuming full-fat dairy.
Oct 9, 2018

What nuts have no sugar? ›

Here are a few examples:
  • Almonds — 1.2 grams of sugar per serving (1 oz)
  • Walnuts — 0.7 grams of sugar per serving (1 oz)
  • Dry-roasted cashews — 1.4 grams of sugar per serving (1 oz)
  • Pistachios — 2.2 grams of sugar per serving (1 oz)
  • Pumpkin seeds — 0.4 grams of sugar per serving (1 oz)
Nov 1, 2019

Why are my pecans mushy? ›

Humidity above these values can cause kernel molding and pecan texture deterioration (pecans become soft and rubber-like), whereas lower humidities will cause excessive drying. In-shell pecan kernels will darken under high humidity as a result of the tannic acid being dissolved from the shell lining.

Why is my pecan candy soft? ›

If you don't beat it long enough, then pralines won't set properly and will stay soft and sticky. Work quickly to drop heaping tablespoons of pecan praline mixture onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. I find that it works best to use a cookie dough scoop.

How do you fix soggy nuts? ›

Spread the stale snacks out on a cookie sheet and place in a 350o F oven. Let them bake for about 10 minutes and then remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cooled the snacks should be crispy and refreshed. You can use this method with fresh nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts, etc.

How do you keep pecan pie from getting soggy? ›

Blind Bake

The most common way to ward off a soggy pie crust is by a process called blind baking. Blind baking means you pre-bake the crust (sometimes covered with parchment or foil and weighed down with pie weights to prevent the crust from bubbling up) so that it sets and crisps up before you add any wet filling.

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