Candied Maple Bourbon Pecans (keto and sugar-free)

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Making Candied Maple Bourbon Pecans is so easy! Add them to salads, yogurt or just have a handful as a snack. These are sweet, salty, crisp and totally addictive. They also make perfect holiday gifts! I include methods to cook in the oven, air fryer and stovetop.

Candied pecans overflowing a blue bowl with cinnamon sticks and more pecans scattered around.

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Why you’ll love this recipe
Are pecans keto friendly?
Are pecans low-FODMAP nuts?
Ingredients
Instructions
How to store
Variations
How to serve
FAQ
Other recipes you might like
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Glazed, candied nuts are high on my list – like all the time. This recipe adds a little twist to the typical spiced nuts recipes. Not only are these a sugar-free pecan candy, but maple and bourbon makes them particularly special. Truly, maple and bourbon were meant to be together.

Not sure the best cooking method to use? I have you covered. I include instructions on making oven-roasted, stove-top and air fryer candied pecans.

This pecan recipe is like a combination of maple pecans, candied bourbon pecans and keto pecan pralines all rolled into one. These turn out crisp, flavorful and are the perfect mix of sweet and salty. And, making these fills your house with the aroma of pecan pie. Just SO good.

These are amazing as a snack to eat by themselves. Even better, sprinkle them on a Keto Shredded Kale BLT Salad, or on your morning Pumpkin Porridge with Chia.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Sweet and salty – and sugar free with the scent of pecan pie
3 cooking methods – I include instructions for oven roasted, stove-top and air-fryer candied pecans
Candied pecans without egg – my stove-top instructions are made without egg white
Special diet friendly – these are a low-carb keto, paleo and low-FODMAP snack

Are pecans keto friendly?

Yes – they are very low in carbohydrates and high in fats. 20 halves contain just under 2g net carbs, making them one of the best nuts for keto snacking.

Are pecans low-FODMAP nuts?

Yes, thank goodness. Add these to your list of FODMAP-friendly nuts and make as many tasty nut-filled recipes as you like. About 10 pecan halves are considered low-FODMAP, but servings of 40 halves or more are considered moderately high in fructans. A small handful makes a great, healthy, sweet low-FODMAP snack.

Ingredients

I add seasonings that make this the best keto candied pecans recipe. Warming spices such as cinnamon, clove and nutmeg bring on the cozy vibes.

These call for a handful of simple ingredients:

Pecans – halves and pieces work just fine
Sweetener of choice – the best low-carb sweeteners to use are stevia, erythritol (or erythritol and monk fruit blend) and allulose. These set up like caramelized sugar and make a crisp, sweet coating. Do not use xylitol, as it doesn’t set up like other sugar substitutes.
Egg white – from one large egg (HINT: use the yolk to make a great Homemade Eggnog)
Butter – this creates some buttery pecan goodness and adds extra savoriness. You can omit this if you want to stay dairy-free.
Bourbon – subtle bourbon flavor is so amazing. But it’s optional – these are great without the addition of alcohol. However, the alcohol does cook off, leaving its delicious flavor behind.
Maple extract – you can also use vanilla instead
Molasses – since pecan pralines are typically made with brown sugar, this addition will lend the flavor of pralines, which are so, so good. If you follow a low-FODMAP diet, skip this addition because molasses isn’t FODMAP-friendly. If you follow a keto diet, this small amount of molasses won’t mess up your macros or boot you out of ketosis. In fact, this tiny amount adds less than 1 carb per serving. You can also replace the sweetener with a brown sugar substitute for a molasses flavor.
Spices – I like to use Homemade Pumpkin Spice with a couple pinches of Aleppo pepper for a small touch of heat (read more in my Aleppo Pepper Ingredient Spotlight). If you don’t have all of the ingredients to make your own pie spice, you can use single spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice.
Sea salt – sweet and salty is magic. You can also use a coarse fleur de sel.

Instructions

Any of these methods will make amazing candied and glazed nuts in almost no time at all – perfect for busy holiday schedules - or any time of year.

Ceramic blue and brown bowl full of sugar-free candied pecans on a board with a grey towel and more pecans scattered. — Oven baked maple bourbon pecans

Oven method

This is my favorite, tried and true bourbon candied pecan recipe. I like to make large batches, making enough to fill a few large baking sheets at a time. These come out sticky sweet and harden as they cool.

Here is a quick overview. You can find detailed instructions in the recipe card.

Pre-heat the oven to 300°F
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
In a large mixing bowl, melt the butter in the microwave, or melt in a small saucepan on the stove and add to the bowl

White bowl of frothy whisked egg white and melted butter with a whisk on the side.

Add the egg white to the melted butter and whisk until frothy. Make sure the butter is not hot enough to cook the egg white.

White bowl with wet ingredients including molasses with a whisk in the bowl.

Add the sweetener, maple extract, salt, spices, bourbon and molasses (if using) and whisk until thoroughly mixed.

Raw pecans stirred into a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon to coat with egg white and spices.

Toss in the nuts and stir until all the nooks and crannies are covered with the egg white mixture.

Spice coated pecans spread on a parchment lined baking sheet ready to go into the oven.

Spread out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, trying to not let any overlap.

Bake for 10 minutes, stir, then bake another 10 minutes, remove from oven and stir again
Place on a cooling rack and let cool to room temperature

Bowl full of air fryer maple bourbon pecans. — Air-fryer candied pecans

Air-fryer method

This method is based on the model of air-fryer I have, the Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven (that I LOVE), that has a large, flat basket and is perfect for cooking anything (not to mention it’s the BEST for small kitchens because it stores on its side in a small space).

Line the air fryer basket with parchment
Prepare the egg white mixture as described in the oven method, add the other ingredients and stir in the nuts until thoroughly coated

Parchment lined air fryer basket with layer of coated pecans ready to air fry.

Spread as many nuts as possible into one layer on the prepared air-fryer basket. As these baskets are much smaller than baking sheets, you'll have to work in batches.

Air fryer pecans on parchment after first timed cook and ready to stir.

Air fry for about 7 minutes at 250°F, and stir. The coating will be sticky and thick but will coat the nuts nicely and become crispy, so be sure to stir in those puddles of sticky coating to cover them.

Air fryer pecans in parchment lined fryer basket after first stir.

Air fry for another 7 minutes. Keep a close eye on them so they don't burn. This really depends on the air fryer model you have, but this timing was just right for my Ninja air fryer.
Remove from the air fryer and transfer the parchment paper and nuts to a cooling rack and re-line the basket. Or, transfer the nuts to a separate sheet of parchment paper on a cooling rack and re-use the parchment paper from the first round of roasting.
Repeat with the remaining nuts

Small blue and white ramekin filled with candied pecans on a board with more pecans and cinnamon sticks scattered around. — Stove-top glazed pecans

Stove-top method

This method yields candied nuts that are very different in flavor and texture than the baked methods. They’re just as delicious, but are closer to glazed than praline-style made in the oven or air fryer.

This method calls for extra liquid in place of egg whites. I like to use an extra 3 tablespoons of water, but extra bourbon can also be used in place of one of the tablespoons of water.

In a small bowl, whisk the water, bourbon, spices, molasses, maple extract, salt and sweetener until thoroughly combined
Heat a large skillet on medium heat and add the butter

Skillet of butter and spices simmering on the stove while being stirred with a rubber spatula.

When the butter is melted, pour the spice mixture into the skillet and stir constantly until thick, sticky and bubbly. You can check the temperature with a candy thermometer - it should reach 360°F.

Raw pecans stirred into skillet of hot spice mixture and stirred to coat thoroughly.

Add the nuts and mix until each nut is thoroughly coated.

Stovetop candied pecans cooling on parchment paper.

Remove from heat and transfer to parchment paper until cooled, making sure to separate the nuts so they don't stick together. If they do, they can be easily broken apart when cooled.

How to store

When completely cooled, store in an airtight container for up to four weeks.

Variations

Candied roasted nuts are so versatile and can be made in many different ways:

Add different spices – such as masala or curry
Chocolate – drizzle the cooled nuts with melted chocolate
Chocolate dipped pecans – dip whole pieces or half a pecan in melted chocolate. I like to melt sugar-free chocolate in the microwave, dip the nuts in, then lay them on a sheet of parchment to let the chocolate harden. I use ChocZero milk chocolate or ChocZero dark chocolate chips.
Add spice – by adding some cayenne, red pepper flakes, Aleppo pepper (my favorite) or try using Fireball Whisky instead of bourbon
Try another alcohol – such as rum, brandy or cognac

How to serve

Eat as a snack – my favorite is just munching on these as a snack. They’re hard to put down – seriously hard.
As a topping – for ice cream, yogurt, or cumble on top of some Whipped Ricotta Dip
Top winter squash – these are delicious with winter squash. Use as a topping for butternut, pumpkin, delicata or a little bit of mashed sweet potatoes (with a drizzle of ChocZero sugar-free maple pecan syrup!).
Breakfast porridge – sprinkle a few on top of Pumpkin Porridge with Chia Seeds (my favorite keto ‘noatmeal’)
Add to salads – add to a 'house' green salad, or a Kale BLT Salad. Or, replace the walnuts on a flavorful Beet and Feta Salad.
Savory vegetables – sprinkle some on Maple Rosemary Brussels Sprouts
Add to breads – use them in place of raw pecans in this Gluten-free Pumpkin Bread
Garnish for soup – crumble and add to Carrot and Pumpkin Soup as a garnish - yum!
Holiday gifts – these make great holiday gift ideas! Add them to your list of holiday baking recipes and your guests and friends will look forward to these every holiday season!

FAQ

What kind of bourbon is best for candied pecans?

Any kind of quality bourbon works for this recipe. However, I’m a fan of Kentucky bourbon and used Maker’s Mark.

Are candied and glazed pecans the same thing?

Not exactly. The candied variety typically contains egg whites and have a rough, crunchy coating. Glazed pecans are coated in a smooth, buttery, sweet coating and often contain brown sugar.

What are praline pecans?

These are a type of candied pecan that are coated in a crunchy caramel glaze.

Why are my candied pecans soft?

Candied nuts can be soft if they are not cooked long enough. If raw nuts are used to make candied or glazed pecans on the stove top, the nut can retain a softer texture. When using the oven or air fryer methods, the nuts tend to be crispier, as they are roasted in the oven.

Can I use this recipe to make any candied nuts?

Yes! This recipe can be used to make any variety of candied nuts or seeds. Try making candied walnuts, hazelnuts or even sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

Bowl of maple bourbon candied pecans on a grey board with a grey towel.

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