Stovetop Candied Pecans with Maple Syrup

Name: Stovetop Candied Pecans with Maple Syrup
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 38 min
Ingredients: 1 cup (heaping cup) of raw pecan halves; 1 tablespoon vegan butter; 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup; ¼ teaspoon salt

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These stovetop candied pecans are the ultimate sweet and salty snack—and they’re so simple to make! Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and made with vegan butter, this quick stovetop recipe is perfect for holiday gifts, snack prep, or adding a little sparkle to your salads.

An up-close picture of the pecans cooking in a pan.

Spotlight on These Stovetop Candied Pecans with Maple Syrup

Only 4 ingredients! It’s a simple ingredient list that you’ll appreciate! Just pecans, vegan butter, maple syrup, and salt. That’s it!

No oven needed. This is a stovetop candied pecan recipe, which means no preheating and no waiting. Just stir, cook, and cool.

Naturally sweetened. Instead of refined sugar, we’re using pure maple syrup for that glossy, golden coating with rich flavor.

Perfect for topping. These candied pecans make any salad instantly fancy. I love them on my Ultimate Vegan Spring Salad, but they’re just as perfect for snacking or adding to trail mix.

So addicting. Crunchy, sweet, buttery, and salty, this combo is seriously crave-worthy. Just a warning-it’s hard to stop eating them! LOL.

A salad topped with stovetop candied pecans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different nut?
Yes! Walnuts work well. Pecans just have the best buttery texture for this kind of recipe, in my opinion.

Can I use regular butter? If you’re not vegan, yes—but I love using vegan butter to keep it dairy-free and still delicious.

Can I bake these instead of cooking on the stove? You could, but this recipe is meant for the stovetop and comes together much faster than baking.

The Ingredients

Pecans: These buttery nuts turn into the most delicious salad topper!

Maple syrup: I love using real ingredients instead of white sugar or brown sugar.

Vegan butter: I am thankful vegan butter exists to give off the buttery vibe without the dairy.

Salt: You’ll need just a bit of salt to tie everything together.

The Instructions

Step one: Heat vegan butter and maple syrup in a medium pan over medium heat until bubbly.

Heating the maple syrup and vegan butter in a pan.

Step two: Add the pecans, sprinkle them with salt, and then mix to coat. Drop the heat to low and allow them to cook for 6 minutes. Stir every thirty seconds or so.

Stirring in the pecans and coating them with the butter and maple syrup mixture.

Step three: Remove the pan from the heat and carefully transfer the hot pecans onto a large plate lined with parchment paper. Spread them out flat and allow them to cool for at least 30 minutes.

The finished pecans are cooling on parchment paper.

Storage

I always recommend enjoying them the same day you make them.

If you would like to save leftovers, transfer the candied pecans to an airtight container and leave on the counter at room temperature for up to three days. It’s normal for the pecans to get softer by the day.

Tips + Modifications

Add a pinch of cinnamon for a cozy twist. Or, add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a sweet heat combo.

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