Chai-Spiced Candied Pecans
Candied pecans are a simple snack with roots in European cuisine, especially holiday markets and other festive gatherings. This recipe for chai-spiced candied pecans adds a warm, aromatic twist with the addition of my homemade chai spice.
The key to candied pecans lies in the egg white. Whisking the white until fluffy, almost to the starting point of meringue, creates a light, crisp coating that helps the sugar and chai spice stick to the nuts. I love salt-forward candied nuts to balance the sugary sweetness; however, if you like less salt, reduce the amount called for.
One final thought. Stirring the nuts every 15 minutes as they bake is messy, but trust me when I say the mess is 100% worth it for the result! If you’re looking for other holiday gift ideas, check out my recipes for chewy molasses cookies, brown sugar shortbread cookies, or homemade everything bagel seasoning.
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Ingredients For Chai-Spiced Candied Pecans
Ingredient Notes
- Chai Spice: I have a simple recipe for homemade chai spice using ground pantry spices. It adds a warm and distinctive holiday taste.
- Egg White: Acts as a binding agent, helping the sugar and chai spice stick to the pecans while creating a crisp coating as it bakes.
- Pecan Halves: The main ingredient; their buttery, nutty flavor pairs beautifully with the sweet, salty, and spiced coating.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the chai spice, giving the pecans a salt-forward flavor that can be adjusted to taste.
- Sugar (Granulated): Sweetens the pecans while caramelizing in the oven to form a glossy, crunchy coating.
- Water: Helps dissolve the sugar and spices, ensuring a smooth, even coating on the pecans.
It’s important to note that when making substitutions in recipes, the texture and flavor may be slightly different. However, these substitutes are the best options for changing the original recipe.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chai Spice: If you don’t have chai spice, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of cardamom, and a pinch of nutmeg and cloves. You can also do plain cinnamon.
- Pecan Halves: Walnuts, almonds, or cashews can be used instead of pecans.
- Salt: Reduce to ¾-1/2 teaspoon for a milder flavor.
- Sugar (Granulated): Swap with an equal amount of brown sugar.
Recipe Variations
Try any of the following for a twist on this chai-spiced candied pecans recipe:
- Cocoa Powder: Add 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to the sugar mixture.
- Coconut: Stir in ½ cup of shredded coconut with the pecans.
- Orange Zest: Add 1 teaspoon of grated orange zest to the sugar mixture.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Substitute 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice for the chai spice.
- Spicy Kick: Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sugar mixture.
- Vanilla: Whisk in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract with the chai spice.
Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of this post, or scroll to the bottom to see the PRINTABLE recipe card with ingredient measurements and complete instructions.
How To Make Chai-Spiced Candied Pecans
STEP 1: Whisk the egg white briskly until foamy and slightly thickened.
STEP 2: Add the sugar, chai spice, salt, and water. Whisk until the mixture is light and creamy.
STEP 3: Stir in the pecan halves and fold until the pecans are evenly coated.
STEP 4: Spread the coated pecans onto a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for one hour.
Expert Tips
1. To prevent a bitter or stale aftertaste, use nuts that have been freshly or recently opened.
2. The pecans will look glossy going into the oven but will be uneven and ragged after stirring—this is normal.
3. Let the pecans cool fully on the baking sheet before transferring them to containers to preserve their crunch and prevent sticking.
Recipe Notes
- This recipe is intentionally salt-forward to balance the sweetness and spices. If you prefer less salt, reduce to ¾ or ½ teaspoon.
- The amount of chai spice can be adjusted based on your preference. For a subtler flavor, use 2 teaspoons instead of 1 tablespoon.
- Chai-spiced candied pecans make a fantastic homemade gift for Christmas. Package them in decorative jars or cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a festive treat.
Storage For Chai-Spiced Candied Pecans
- Store the candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months. If gifting, prepare them as close to the gifting date as possible to ensure freshness.
Did you make these chai-spiced candied pecans? Please rate the recipe and tell me how it went in the comments below. Also, stay in touch with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to see more delicious food and recipes!
Printable Recipe Card
Chai-Spiced Candied Pecans
Special Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups and spoons or digital kitchen scale
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 large egg white
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon homemade chai spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoons water
- 4 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Place the egg white in a mixing bowl and whisk briskly until foamy and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Add the sugar, chai spice, salt, and water to the foamy egg white. Whisk well until the mixture is light and creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in the pecan halves and fold until the pecans are evenly coated. Spread the coated pecans onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring the pecans every 15 minutes to ensure even baking. Remove from the oven and allow the pecans to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing.
Recipe Notes
- This recipe is intentionally salt-forward to balance the sweetness and spices. If you prefer less salt, reduce to ¾ or ½ teaspoon.
- The amount of chai spice can be adjusted based on your preference. For a subtler flavor, use 2 teaspoons instead of 1 tablespoon.
- Chai-spiced candied pecans make a fantastic homemade gift for Christmas. Package them in decorative jars or cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a festive treat.
Storage
- Store the candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months. If gifting, prepare them as close to the gifting date as possible to ensure freshness.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. If accurate data is important to you, please verify it independently.
