How to make healthy candied pecans flavored with real maple syrup and cinnamon.
When it comes to Christmas treats, having a few healthy recipes to make and share is important, especially with young children in the home.
This year, I tried my hand at making candied pecans with a whole sweetener, cinnamon, egg whites, and a touch of sea salt.
They are quite easy to make, and the whole house smells delicious during the process!
I used raw pecans soaked overnight in brine water to bring out the buttery flavor of the nuts and maximize ease of digestion. Then, after they are dried in a warm oven, I folded them in with whipped egg whites, maple syrup (use date syrup for a GAPS diet version), cinnamon and a pinch of sea salt.
The pecans are lightly baked with the egg white/maple syrup/cinnamon coating in a 300°F/ 150°C oven for 30 minutes (raw egg whites are not recommended, which is why a higher temperature is used).
If you love pecans, I think you will enjoy this flavorful holiday version that will help keep everyone away from the candies and chocolates!
Hint: try a small handful of these Christmas pecans atop your favorite salad!
Maple Cinnamon Pecans
How to make healthy candied pecans flavored with real maple syrup and cinnamon.
Instructions
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Soak raw pecan halves in a large glass bowl with filtered water and 2 teaspoons sea salt overnight.
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Drain brine water and place pecans on cookie sheets in a warm oven to dry. This takes about 6 hours at 150°F/ 65°C (turn them several times while drying to speed the process).
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Whip egg whites and a pinch of sea salt in a large bowl until stiff. Slowly mix in maple syrup and cinnamon until just blended (do not overmix).
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Fold in the soaked/dried pecans until evenly coated.
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Place coated pecans on two large, greased stainless steel cookie sheets in a preheated 300°F/ 150°C oven for 30 minutes to fully dry out the egg white coating.
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Remove pans from the oven and cool on the counter.
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Remove candied pecans from the cookie sheets gently with a spatula and place in containers with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for 2–3 weeks.
Nutrition Facts
Maple Cinnamon Pecans
Amount Per Serving (1 ounce)
Calories 210
Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g
Monounsaturated Fat 12g
Carbohydrates 7.5g3%
Fiber 3g12%
Protein 3.5g7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
