Healthy Candied Pecans Recipe [Vegan And Keto] (2024)

FAQs

Are pecans good for keto diet? ›

When it comes to pecans, they're one of the best nuts that are good for a ketogenic diet. Pecan nuts are very low in carbs and high in fats. An ounce of pecans( about 19 halves) has approximately 1g of net carbs, 4g of total carbs, 20g fats with about 196 calories.

Trader Joe's Candied Pecans (1 serving) contains 6g total carbs, 4g net carbs, 19g fat, 2g protein, and 200 calories.

Under-cooking the pecans is the likely cause of stickiness, but the risk is low when they're oven-baked. After the sugar-coated nuts have darkened and turned very fragrant, about 20 minutes in the oven, stir the pecans and separate any pieces that have stuck together. Continue to bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Why are my candied pecans soft and sticky? If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

While nuts are overall great to include on a keto diet, it's important to limit your portions to a serving or two (1–2 oz.) per day. For reference, one ounce of nuts is about the size of a small handful.

Almonds take the top spot on the list of keto friendly nuts. Pecans are a delightful addition to the keto arsenal. With roughly 1-2 grams of net carbs per ounce, pecans make it easy to stay within your carb limits.

Since nuts are low on the glycemic index, pecans can slow the body's absorption of carbohydrates down, which ultimately leads to lower blood glucose (sugar) levels; just ensure you're using unsalted, dry-roasted pecans and not candied pecans that can be high in sugar and added fat.

Nuts that are keto-friendly and low in carbs include almonds, macadamia nuts, pecans, and other nuts. Nuts are a great addition to a ketogenic (keto) diet. Ketogenic nuts will be high in healthy fats and low in carbohydrates. They should also be rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

How long will candied pecans keep? They will keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature, at least three weeks in the refrigerator, or up to two months in the freezer. No matter where you store them, keep in a tightly sealed, airtight container.

Can you reheat candied pecans? ›

REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS: To reheat, pop the pecans into an air fryer at 275°F for 5 to 10 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Do not stir the sugar with a spoon before adding the nuts, it will cause the sugar to crystalize and have a gritty unpleasant texture, if needed swirl the pan. Make sure to remove the skillet from the stove as soon as the sugar is golden brown.

If you beat too long, the candy will seize and start to crumble. If you don't beat it long enough, then pralines won't set properly and will stay soft and sticky. Work quickly to drop heaping tablespoons of pecan praline mixture onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

If you don't plan on eating your candied pecans right away, you may want to consider storing them in the refrigerator or freezer. Refrigeration can keep the pecans fresh for up to three months, while freezing can extend their shelf life for up to six months.

Store pecans in cool, dry places away from heat: Because pecans contain such a high amount of healthy, plant-based oils, they are prone to going rancid if they spend too long in warm temperatures.

The carb counts of different nuts vary quite a bit, though. The three lowest carb options are to the left – Brazil, macadamia and pecan nuts. These should be the first choices for nuts when following a low carb diet as they are low in carbs, high in fat, and most people find them delicious!

At 8.3 grams of net carbs per 1 ounce (which is roughly 18 cashews), each cashew comes with just under 0.5 grams of net carbs. For this reason, it is best to avoid cashews on a keto diet. Opt for dry roasted macadamias instead.

Thus, while nuts and seeds are great to include on a ketogenic diet, it probably would be wise to limit your portions to a serving or two (1–2 oz.) per day. An ounce of nuts is about the size of a small handful.

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.