Candied pecans are the umbrella term for any pecans coated in sugar; glazed pecans are candied pecans with a thin, glossy, crisp sugar shell; and praline pecans wear a thicker, brown-sugar-and-butter coating that tastes like a praline. All three are sweet, crunchy and dangerously easy to eat by the handful. The differences come down to the coating, the method and how much sugar is on each nut.
Here in Savannah we make glazed pecans right in our stores, so customers ask us this daily, usually while reaching for a second sample. These nuts belong to a long line of Southern holiday sweets. For the rest of that family, see our guide to old-fashioned Christmas candy.
What are candied pecans?
Candied pecans are pecan halves coated in sugar and cooked until the coating hardens. Recipes vary widely. Some toss pecans in egg white and sugar and bake them; others cook them on the stovetop in a sugar syrup until it crystallizes. Add spices and you get cinnamon pecans, a little cayenne and you get spiced pecans.
Think of “candied” as the family name. Glazed, praline and cinnamon pecans are all candied pecans, the same way pralines and brittle are both pecan candy.
What are glazed pecans?
Glazed pecans are candied pecans with a thin, shiny, crackly coating. The sugar is cooked until it coats each nut in a clear, glassy shell rather than a sandy crust. The pecan’s own buttery, toasty flavor stays front and center. That’s the appeal: the nut gets sweeter without disappearing.
Ours are made fresh in-store, and they’re one of the best free shows on River Street. Watch the process in our glazed pecans candy-making video, or see how we give them a kick in how Hot Honey Glazed Pecans are made.
What are praline pecans?
Praline pecans take the flavor of a classic Southern praline (brown sugar, butter, vanilla) and wrap it around a whole pecan. The coating is thicker and more opaque than a glaze, with a slightly creamy, caramel-like crunch. If glazed pecans are a pecan wearing a raincoat, praline pecans are a pecan in a sweater.
They’re the natural next stop for anyone who loves our pralines but wants something easier to snack on. (New to pralines? Start with what a praline is.)
Glazed pecans vs. candied pecans vs. praline pecans
| Candied pecans | Glazed pecans | Praline pecans | Cinnamon pecans | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coating | Any sugar coating | Thin, glossy sugar shell | Brown sugar, butter, vanilla | Cinnamon sugar |
| Texture | Varies, often sandy-crisp | Crisp, glassy crackle | Thicker, buttery crunch | Crisp, lightly crystalline |
| Sweetness | Medium to high | Medium | High | Medium |
| How it’s made | Baked or stovetop | Cooked in a glaze until shiny and crisp | Coated in a praline-style sugar | Tossed in cinnamon sugar |
| Best uses | Baking, toppings | Snacking, salads, cheese boards | Dessert, ice cream, gifting | Breakfast, fall snacking |
Our pecan candy lineup
We take pecans seriously in Georgia, so we don’t stop at one coating. Here’s how our glazed pecans and candied nuts break down:
- Glazed Pecans Bag — the original, made in-store. Crisp, glossy and the one most people mean when they say “those pecans from River Street.”
- Hot Honey Glazed Pecans — sweet first, then a warm kick. Popular with people who claim not to like sweets.
- Praline Pecans Bag — the praline flavor in snackable form.
- Cinnamon Pecans Bag — tastes like the holidays smell.
- Chocolate Covered Pecans Bag — for those who feel every nut is improved by chocolate. They are not wrong.
- Glazed Pecan Tin — the gift-ready version, with a lid that keeps them crisp.
- Glazed Pecan Treat Box — a smaller box that’s perfect for hostess gifts, place settings and thank-yous.
How to use glazed and candied pecans
Glazed pecans are a snack, sure. But they’re also the easiest way to make something you cooked look like you tried harder:
- Salads. Toss them over greens with goat cheese, pears or apples, and a vinaigrette. Glazed pecans hold their crunch better than raw nuts.
- Cheese boards. Pair glazed pecans with sharp cheddar or blue cheese; add hot honey pecans next to a soft cheese.
- Desserts. Crumble praline pecans over vanilla ice cream, cheesecake or a sweet potato casserole.
- Breakfast. Cinnamon pecans on oatmeal or yogurt make a weekday feel like a Saturday.
- Snacking. A bowl by the door at holiday parties disappears faster than anything on the buffet.
- Gifting. A bag of pecan candy fits neatly into a stocking. Browse our stocking stuffers for more small, sweet ideas.
Why fresh pecans matter
A candied pecan can only be as good as the pecan inside it. Fresh pecans are buttery and sweet; old ones turn bitter and taste faintly of cardboard. Georgia’s harvest runs from roughly October into December. Learn more in when pecan season happens, and you’ll understand why so much Southern holiday candy is pecan-based.
That timing is also why a bowl of sugared pecans became a Christmas fixture in so many Southern homes. The new crop came in just as company started arriving, and a skillet, some sugar and a few minutes turned a sack of nuts into something worth setting out on the good dish. We still think that’s the best use of a pecan, with pie a close second.
How to store glazed pecans
Sugar-coated nuts have two enemies: humidity and air. To keep them crunchy:
- Store in an airtight container or sealed bag at cool room temperature.
- Keep them away from the stove, dishwasher and sunny windows.
- If the glaze gets a little tacky in humid weather, spread them on a sheet pan and let them dry out in a low oven for a few minutes, then cool completely.
- Don’t store them next to onions. Pecans absorb odors, and nobody wants a savory surprise.
Ready for the crunch? Shop Glazed Pecans — made fresh in our River Street kitchen in Savannah, GA, and shipped nationwide.
Candied Pecans FAQs
What’s the difference between glazed pecans and candied pecans?
Candied pecans are any pecans with a sugar coating. Glazed pecans are a specific type of candied pecan with a thin, glossy, crisp shell. Every glazed pecan is candied, but not every candied pecan is glazed.
Are praline pecans the same as pralines?
No. A praline is a creamy candy disc made from sugar, butter, cream and pecans. Praline pecans are individual nuts coated in a praline-flavored sugar. Same flavor family, very different shapes and textures.
Are candied pecans healthy?
Pecans themselves are a nutrient-rich tree nut, but candied pecans are a sweet treat with added sugar. Enjoy them like candy, or use a small handful as a salad or yogurt topper.
Are glazed pecans gluten free?
Our glazed pecans are part of our gluten-friendly collection. Like everything we make, they come from a facility that processes milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts and soy, so they’re not suitable for nut allergies.
Why are my candied pecans sticky?
Usually humidity, or a coating that wasn’t cooked long enough to set. Store them airtight, and if they’re already tacky, a few minutes in a low oven can dry the coating again. Cool completely before sealing.
Can you freeze candied pecans?
Many people do, in an airtight container to keep out moisture and odors. Let them come back to room temperature before opening the container so condensation doesn’t make the coating sticky.
