Description
Sweet Southern air fryer candied pecans deliver irresistible nutty caramelized goodness with minimal effort. Crisp, golden pecans glazed in cinnamon and brown sugar make perfect snacking companions or festive gift toppers.
Ingredients
Scale
Pecans:
- 1 ¼ cups (300 ml) pecan halves
Main Sweeteners:
- ¼ cup (60 ml) brown sugar
Spices and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 large egg white
- ½ tablespoon (7.5 ml) maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Whip the egg white in a mixing vessel until it develops a light, airy texture with soft peaks forming around the edges.
- Incorporate brown sugar, ground cinnamon, pure maple syrup, and sea salt into the frothy egg white, creating a glossy and uniform coating mixture.
- Gently fold pecan halves into the sweet mixture, ensuring each nut is thoroughly enveloped with the sugary glaze, using a folding motion to prevent breaking the delicate nuts.
- Activate the air fryer and set the temperature to 350F, allowing the appliance to warm for approximately 3-4 minutes to create an optimal cooking environment.
- Carefully place a parchment paper liner inside the air fryer basket, securing it with the coated pecans to prevent the paper from shifting during cooking.
- Distribute the glazed pecans in a precise single layer across the parchment-lined basket, avoiding overcrowding to promote even caramelization.
- Initiate the cooking process, air frying the pecans for 6-8 minutes, pausing midway to gently agitate the basket and promote uniform browning.
- Watch for a glossy, amber-toned appearance indicating the pecans have transformed into a perfectly caramelized treat.
- Transfer the hot pecans onto a parchment-covered baking sheet, allowing them to cool and firm up for 15-20 minutes, during which they will develop a satisfying crisp texture.
Notes
- Prevent clumping by ensuring pecans are spread in a single layer during air frying, allowing each nut to caramelize evenly and develop a perfect crispy texture.
- Swap maple syrup with honey or agave nectar for alternative sweetness, making the recipe adaptable to different flavor preferences and dietary needs.
- Control sugar content by reducing brown sugar amount or using a natural sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener for a lower-calorie version.
- Enhance recipe versatility by experimenting with additional spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle warming or spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 0.6 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg