I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for any kind of candied nuts. The sweet meets salty combination is just irresistible and I’d eat them by the handful if I could. Now that I’ve learned to make honey roasted pecans in the air fryer I can enjoy some any time I want!
These candied pecans are perfect for snacking and great on charcuterie boards. Place them in a bowl for snacking around the holidays, or add them to a decorative bag and give them away as gifts. You had your chance, cookies!
I also think they are a perfect addition alongside these festive air fryer cranberry brie bites for your holiday spread.
What Temperature Do You Roast Pecans At in the Air Fryer?
You should roast your pecans at around 300°F in the air fryer.
Depending on your brand and model of air fryer, you may not have exactly that temperature setting, but just use what’s closest.
The idea here is to cook the glaze without burning it, and to give the pecans a nice roasted taste.
That flavor makes them the perfect complement to top this air fryer roasted butternut squash soup!
Are Glazed and Candied Pecans the Same?
Glazed and candied pecans are not technically the same. However, many people use the term interchangeably enough that they’re commonly considered the same.
Typically, candied pecans use egg whites, whereas glazed relies solely on sugars to apply the coating to the nuts.
This air fryer honey roasted candied pecan recipe contains no egg, so I guess in all technicality they are actually glazed!
If you love all things honey, make sure to check out our easy honey and balsamic microwave brussel sprout recipe as well!
How to Make Honey Roasted Pecans in the Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 300°F following manufacturer guidelines
- In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups pecan halves, 2 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, and ¼ tsp salt
- Stir to coat the pecans completely
- Spray your air fryer basket with non-stick spray, or add some parchment paper
- Add pecans to your preheated air fryer basket in as close to a single layer as possible
- Air fry at 300°F for 10 minutes, stopping to shake the basket halfway through
- Honey roasted candied pecans are done when they are a golden brown color and the glaze bubbles a bit (add any additional time needed in 1-2 minute increments to prevent burning)
- Pour the pecans out of the air fryer basket onto a flat surface to cool. I use a wax paper lined baking sheet or wire rack typically, but anything similar works
- If you like them a bit saltier, sprinkle some sea salt (about ¼ tsp) over the still-hot honey roasted pecans
- Allow candied pecans to cool for an hour or so to firm up the glazed shell
- Store in an airtight container or bag and enjoy as desired!
If you prefer, other nuts may be easily substituted in this recipe as well. I also enjoy honey roasted almonds in the air fryer.
To make spicy honey roasted pecans, add ½ tsp of sriracha, hot sauce, or hot sauce powder to the mix (or even more if you prefer)!
This air fryer candied pecan recipe contains no egg, so it’s fairly allergy friendly unless you have a nut sensitivity (in which case you could use chickpeas as an alternative).
Or check out this other great recipe for air fryer Indian chickpeas!
Why Are My Air Fryer Candied Pecans Soft?
If your air fryer candied pecans are soft, it means you didn’t cook them long enough.
The air frying process will remove moisture from the nuts, while cooking the sugars on the outside to create a crisp crust. If you have some moisture left still, or your glaze doesn’t set, then you didn’t cook them long enough.
That said, it’s also possible to overcook your candied pecans, which will result in a burned sugar look or taste. That’s why I recommend cooking in small increments near the end so you can keep an eye on them.
Final Thoughts
These honey roasted pecans in the air fryer are sweet, crunchy, and everything I dream of from glazed or candied nuts. They’re so easy to prepare and make an impressive addition to your holiday food table, or an excellent gift!
If you have any extras (good luck) they make a divine topping for ice cream, granola, or paired with maple syrup over top of air fryer frozen french toast sticks!
You can also bring the bakery to your kitchen with these incredible Cinnabon Caramel Pecan Rolls in the Air Fryer and start your day with a sweet treat!
Air Fryer Honey Roasted Candied Pecans (With No Egg)
Equipment
- Baking sheet or rack
- Wax or parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 Cups pecan halves
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 Tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 Tsp salt
- Nonstick spray
- Sea salt for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 300°F following manufacturer guidelines
- In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups pecan halves, 2 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, and ¼ tsp salt2 Cups pecan halves, 2 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 Tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 Tsp salt
- Stir with spatula to coat the pecans completely
- Spray your air fryer basket with non-stick spray, or add some parchment paperNonstick spray
- Add pecans to your preheated air fryer basket in as close to a single layer as possible
- Air fry at 300°F for 10 minutes, stopping to shake the basket halfway through
- Honey roasted candied pecans are done when they are a golden brown color and the glaze bubbles a bit (add any additional time needed in 1-2 minute increments to prevent burning)
- Pour the hot pecans out of the air fryer basket onto a flat surface to cool. I use a wax paper lined baking sheet or wire rack typically, but anything similar works
- If you like a saltier glazed nut, sprinkle some sea salt (about ¼ tsp) over the still-hot honey roasted pecansSea salt for garnish
- Allow candied pecans to cool for about an hour to firm up the glazed shell
- Store in an airtight container or bag and enjoy as desired!
Notes
- The pecans may be substituted to make honey roasted almonds, cashews, or other nuts, or chickpeas if desired
- For a spicy honey roasted pecans variation, add ½ tsp of sriracha, hot sauce, or hot sauce powder to the mix (or even more if you prefer)!
- This air fryer candied pecan recipe contains no egg, so it’s fairly allergy friendly unless you have a nut sensitivity (in which case you could use the chickpeas as an alternative).
- Nonstick spray, parchment, or a silicone mat aren’t a must-have, but they make the cleanup significantly easier (as your air fryer basket will be sticky!)
- This recipe is done to perfection in my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer in 10 minutes. Other brands, models, and power levels may vary slightly in cooking time
- Exact nutritional values will vary depending on specific ingredients used and total amount consumed, so please consider this as only a guideline or estimate
Nutrition
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
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