Easy Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Candied Pecans Recipe
These Sweet and Crunchy Keto Candied Pecans are low carb, sugar free and the perfect Holiday Party Snack or Homemade Gift!
Sugar Free Keto Candied Pecans
These sweet, crunchy Sugar-Free Keto Candied Pecans are the perfect low carb holiday season party snack or homemade gift for friends and family.
With simple ingredients and a quick bake time, this recipe delivers that classic candied flavor and texture without sugar — ideal for a keto diet, low carb lifestyle, or anyone who wants a healthier twist on a holiday favorite.
Every year as the holidays approach, I find myself juggling a packed calendar: cooking, baking, hosting, and of course…wrapping gifts.
Thankfully, my husband has taken over wrapping duties since I was pregnant with our youngest — a true Christmas miracle! That frees me up to focus on my favorite part: making delicious low carb and keto recipes to share at parties, give as gifts, and enjoy a sweet treat with my family.
This keto candied pecans recipe has been a holiday staple in my home for years. I love doubling the batch to fill mason jars for gifts, sprinkle over salads, or keep on hand for a sweet and crunchy keto snack.
Unlike traditional candied nuts loaded with sugar, this version uses a blend of sugar-free sweeteners, Monk Fruit Allulose sweetener and sugar-free maple syrup to create that perfect caramelized coating — without spiking blood sugar or kicking you out of ketosis.
Anyone looking to reduce their sugar intake of white sugar during the crazy holiday season whether on a low carb diet or not, this is a great low carb snack!
Why You’ll Love This Keto Candied Pecans Recipe
- Low Carb & Sugar Free: Sweetened with a Monk Fruit Allulose Blend and sugar-free maple syrup instead of refined sugar.
- Simple Ingredients: Just a few pantry staples make these sweet, crunchy, and irresistible.
- Quick & Easy: Prep in 5 minutes and bake until golden.
- Versatile: Perfect as a holiday party snack, on top as a salad topper, as a crunchy topping for keto desserts, or packed into mason jars for homemade gifts.
- Healthy Fats: Pecans provide satisfying fats and a naturally sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon and maple notes.
In Christmas’s Past, we’ve enjoyed these delicious recipes: Zucchini Lasagna, Spaghetti Squash Lasagna, Brussel Sprout Salad, Asparagus Bundles, and of course plenty of desserts! Some of the favorites are my easy recipe for my Grandmother’s Butterballs, Peppermint Brownie Bark.
My Favorite of all, Peppermint Cheesecake Pie! I also have a brand new pecan recipe that is sure to impress anyone with a sweet tooth!
My daughter and I have been baking for a couple for weeks and freezing everything to be ready to deliver goodie trays on Christmas Eve. We made Salted Caramel Cashew Fudge, White Chocolate Coconut fudge, Sugarless Sugar cookies and Gingerbread men.
If I have time I’d like to make my Chocolate Cream pie and I also still need to make ahead my Grain Free Cinnamon Roll Muffins for Christmas morning,
WHEW!! I’m exhausted thinking about it all! But this recipe today is the best candied pecans recipe I can make over and over again with no stress, no worries and honestly hassle free! It’s perfect for gift giving in a cute little mason jar as well as a holiday parties!
Tips for Perfect Sugar-Free Candied Pecans
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Stir Midway: Tossing the fresh pecans halfway through baking helps the sweetener mixture evenly coat each nut and creates a crisp, candy-like shell.
- Cool Completely: Let the pecans cool on the pan — as they cool, the coating hardens into that irresistible crunchy texture.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container or glass mason jar at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Perfect for make-ahead holiday prep!
Serving & Gifting Ideas
- Holiday Gifts: Fill small mason jars with candied pecans, add a ribbon, and share them as thoughtful homemade keto gifts.
- Salad Topping: Sprinkle over roasted veggie or leafy green salads for a crunchy topping.
- Dessert Garnish: Use as a keto-friendly topping for pumpkin pie, cheesecake, or sugar-free ice cream.
- Snack Attack: Enjoy a small handful of these keto pecans as a sweet snack over some plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese that fits your low carb or keto diet.
Sugar Free Keto Candied Pecans
Easy Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Candied Pecans Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1 tablespoon sugar free maple syrup
- 1 tsp maple extract
- 1/2 cup Monk Fruit Allulose brown sugar sub or another sugar free brown sweetener
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2.5 cups unsalted raw pecans
Optional
- 2 tablespoon Bourbon for extra depth of flavor (add to the wet ingredients — will cook off during baking)
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper or for a spicy kick or chipotle powder.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar-free maple syrup, and maple extract. If using bourbon, whisk it in here.
- Add Sweetener & Spices: Stir in the Monk Fruit Allulose Blend and ground cinnamon until fully combined into a thick, sweetener mixture.
- Coat the Pecans: Add the pecans to the bowl and toss until each pecan is evenly coated.
- Spread & Bake: Arrange the coated pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even caramelization.
- Cool & Harden: Remove from the oven and stir gently while the mixture is still hot, then let the pecans cool completely on the pan. The coating will firm up as they cool, creating a sweet, crunchy shell.
- Store: Once fully cooled, transfer to an airtight container or mason jars. Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Bourbon is optional and can be eliminated if desired.
- The photos in this post are a double batch of the recipe below as I plan to give them as gifts in mason jars to family and friends for Christmas.
- This recipe was first published in December of 2014.
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
I may be reading to fast but under the ingredients, I do not see the amount of pecans used in this recipe.
My printable recipe cards for all recipes is located at the very bottom of every page, so right above your area to comment is the recipe card. All ingredients and measurements are listed and you need 2.5 cups of pecans.
this recipe but smoke them…you’ll thank me
If you are looking for something to take to all the holiday parties looming this is your go to recipe! No one ever questions if they are sugar free they just devour them. So easy, so delicious and they make awesome gifts😍
Thanks Karen!
I make these pecans about every 2 months. We keep them in the refrigerator and eat them as snacks during the day. They are absolutely divine. I would rather make these than have any of the commercial pecans that come in tin cans. They are fresh and light and super sweet. AND easy to make. Easy clean up.
These are fantastic!! I have made your SUGAR FREE SWEET CANDIED BOURBON PECANS twice and both times they turned out crispy, sweet, and delightful. Your recipes are amazing.
I appreciate that, thank you so much!
These are absolutely THE BOMB!!!!!! I made them for our Sunday School Christmas party this weekend! (Left out the bourbon, LOL)
Do the pecans have to be raw?
Yes that should be.
This recipe is AMAZING! I’ve made it twice and it’s incredible. I will always have it available to snack on. My husband loves it too. I love them alone, or on my plain Greek yogurt -what a treat! I was a Sugar Addict my whole life. I stumbled upon Brenda and her 30 day sugar elimination diet about 2 months ago. I am loving these recipes! Thank you! I am losing weight and feeling great! I will not Go back to sugar. It’s my enemy. You have helped me learn how to enjoy food without the sugar and I am truly grateful. ❤️
I am so happy to hear my recipes and book are helping you and you can now make this way of life sustainable!!
What recipe book is this from? Where do I get it?
This is only on my website.
Hi Brenda, do you think using 1/2 allulose and half swerve would use in this recipe? Thank you!
Can you use yuccon syrup instead of maple syrup?
These are amazing. Thank you.
WOW! Soooo yummy! I made them! I slightly modified by using rum extract and adding walnuts, cashews and almonds with the pecans. I shook them in Swerve brown sugar after too! Thank you thank you for sharing so many amazing recipes!
can you use rum instead of bourbon?
Sure!
Is butter necessary to make them ‘set’? Could oil be used, olive, canola, corn, etc.? I’ve found this to be THE best keto candied nut recipe. I use mapleine instead of bourbon, and they are to die for!
I’m not sure since I’ve not tested it with anything else but I think the butter could be swapped with coconut oil.
I made the spiced nuts for the second time. the second batch dd not harden. I used the surkin syrup the second batch. any suggestions
Sandi
The video shows maple extract and the recipe card doesn’t
How much maple extract ?
Sorry I used 1 tsp. Thanks for letting me know, all updated now.
Thank you for the recipe! Made them last night, and they were very yummy! I used Jack Daniels, since I didn’t have any bourbon, and also used Walden Farms syrup, since that’s what I had on hand. My hubby put them on his blue cheese wedge salad and declared it “tasty”! He’s super picky when it comes to non sugar sweeteners, so I’m glad he enjoyed these! I guess that means I’ll have to share them with him, LOL!