Keto 5-Minute Caramelized Candied Pecans - Sugar-Free

These sugar-free Caramelized Candied Pecans are a cinch to make on the stove, and you can customize them to be spicy, or salty, too! Great for salads, desserts, and cheese boards. Only about 5 minutes of time, these are the perfect grab-and-go snack for adults as well as kids! Sugar-free and full of vitamins, minerals, and Omega-3s!

Healthy Keto Snack

These caramelized, candied pecans are quite a treat. You can add them to your salad for a sweet and crunchy topping or simply pop them in your mouth for a keto snack that will keep your hunger at bay until lunch or dinner.

What’s not to love when we’re talking about warm, toasty pecans enrobed in a luscious sugar-free brown sugar crispy glaze?

I know you can easily buy candied nuts but they are typically heavy in the sugar department and as well as cost a small fortune for a very tiny bag.

After making my Keto Candied Nuts in the oven, I wanted to try and create an even easier method that would take less time. And this recipe fits the bill.

I love this stove-top method of making candied nuts because everything goes into the pan at once. Instead of having to heat the oven and wait for 45 minutes, this recipe takes only about 5 minutes and is absolutely delicious!

The best news is that since the nuts are added to a pan on the stovetop, they roast directly in the pan which means you don’t have to pre-toast them. One less step!

Seriously, it takes about 5 minutes on the stove and then about 5 minutes to cool.

Simple ingredients, simple recipe and SIMPLY DELICIOUS!!!

3 Simple Ingredients for Candied nuts

Nuts - I used pecans for this recipe to change things up a bit. Feel free to use any type of nut you have on hand. If you do choose to pick larger nuts like walnuts or pecans, you can break them or keep them whole depending on what you plan to use them for.

Sweetener - I used a combination of brown sugar substitute and white. The brown sugar substitute was an erythritol-based sweetener and the white was allulose. Erythritol sweeteners have a tendency to crystallize after they cool which is perfect for the "crispy/crunchy" texture I was trying to achieve. As for the allulose, it creates caramelization. If you only have erythritol-based sweeteners, feel free to replace the allulose with what you have on hand but you may not get as much caramelization.

Butter - As you heat the butter in the pan, you create what is called a Maillard reaction. This chemical reaction occurs when amino acids in your butter proteins is combined with the sweetener and heat, resulting in a series of reactions that cause the brown caramel colour you see and the rich flavors you taste.

How To Make 5 Minute Candied Pecans:

• Heat a medium skillet over medium heat - make sure the skillet is non-stick!
• Add the nuts, sweeteners and butter
• Continue to heat the ingredients over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently - the nuts, butter and sweetener can burn quickly so make sure to stir often and do not leave the mixture unattended
• Once the butter and sweetener start to melt, stir constantly until all sweetener has dissolved and the nuts have been fully coated.
• Spread the nuts immediately onto a sheet of parchment paper
• Separate any large chunks of nuts that are stuck together unless you want a giant nut ball!;-)
• Allow the coating to harden for about 5-7 minutes
• Then, transfer the nuts to a bowl and try not to eat the entire batch!

Best Nuts for a Keto Diet

Many nuts and seeds are low in net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) and high in healthy fats, making them a perfect fit.

They’re also full of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Still, some varieties are lower in carbs than others.

Comparison for 1 oz of various nuts:

Pecans - 1 gram net carb and 20 grams of fat

Brazil - 1 gram of net carbs and 19 grams of fat

Macadamia - 2 grams of net carbs and 21 grams of fat

Walnuts - 2 grams of net carbs and 18 grams of fat

Hazelnuts - 2 grams of net carbs and 17 grams of fat

FLAVOR VARIATIONS: SWEET AND SPICY PECANS

The great thing about making Caramelized Pecans at home is that you can customize the flavor. Want a hint of fall spice? Add some ground cinnamon or pumpkin spice. Want sweet pecans with some heat? A little cayenne will do the trick.

Personally, I like them sprinkled with flaked sea salt for a sweet-salty combo.

I like to mix up a few batches at a time during the holiday season so I have them on hand for various uses: sweet or cinnamon for desserts, salted or spicy for appetizers and snacks. You can even freeze caramelized pecans for up to two months, making them convenient for planning ahead!

Recipes for various flavours:

• Cinnamon Caramelized Pecans: Add ¼ teaspoon cinnamon to the pan with the sugar substitute.
• Spicy Caramelized Pecans: Add ¼ teaspoon (or more or less, to taste) cayenne pepper to the pan with the sugar substitute.
• Salted Caramelized Pecans: Sprinkle the pecans with flaked sea salt after you transfer them to the baking sheet to cool

More quick and easy Keto recipes

• Keto Quick and Easy Microwave-Fried Onions
• How to Make Easy Curled Onion Decorations
• Keto Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheese Soup - Gluten-Free
• How to Make a Rotisserie Chicken in a Ninja Foodi Air Fryer
• Blender Coconut Cream Pie - Ridiculously Easy!
• Keto Pumpkin Maple Coconut Clusters - Vegan and Plant-Based

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