These Sugar Free Candied Pecans are the perfect keto friendly snack for those of us with a sweet tooth but trying to cut down on the sugar!
Easy Low Carb Sweet Treats
I try to keep my net carb countandsugar levels below a certain amount each day. (My goal is net carbs of 45, fyi.) I eat lots of veggies and I do like my fruit/protein smoothies on occasion.
While these items are super healthy, they do have carbs and natural sugars, so that means I don’t have a lot of room for added sugars. (I do occasionally indulge, but I try to keep that to a minimum, lol.)
To stay on track when everyone else is enjoying their carb-loaded desserts and treats, I reach for my stash of sugar-free goodies or I might whip up a batch of sugar-free ice cream. (That ice cream <and this ice cream maker> is a lifesaver, lol. At some point, I’ll share my sugar-free ice cream version with you. The recipe needs to be fine-tuned just a bit. It’s made with eggs, lite coconut milk, almond milk, and a few other ingredients. Sometimes it turns out perfectly, other times it’s kind of icy- probably because I just eyeball my ingredients instead of precise measurements, lol).
Sugar-Free Candied Pecans
Today, I want to share one of my favorite treats with you. I love nuts and always have them on hand for snacking, but these candied pecans are amazing as a special sugar-free sweet treat.
I’ve been making them quite often and hubby and I just can’t get enough! (Tomorrow, I’m sharing a non-sugar-free version of these in a buttered pecan ice cream recipe. Be sure to check back for that recipe- it’s unbelievably good and your non-sugar-free family and friends will love it!!)
To make these candied pecans sugar free, I use Swerve. (Swerve is asugar substitutethat is a mix of erythritol and oligosaccharides. This combination works well in baking and will also caramelize.) I don’t know if other sugar substitutes will caramelize, as Swerveis the only one I’ve tried in this recipe.
Ingredients in this Sugar-Free Candied Pecans Recipe
Want to give these Sugar Free Candied Pecans a shot? Here are the ingredients needed:
(Scroll down to find the Printable recipe card at the bottom of the post)
Melt butter in large panover med-high heat.
Add swerve and a pinch of salt, stir with a spatula until completely dissolved.
Add pecans, reduce heat to medium and gently stir/toss pecans until toasted and butter/sugar mixture thickens just a bit. (about 5 minutes.)
If you like cinnamon, try adding a dash of cinnamon.
Watch pecans closely they go from being done to burned, very fast.
Transfer pecans to a plate or parchment paper and let cool.
Break up pecans and store in an airtight container in the fridge
Want a few more tried and true low carb recipes? See all the low carb recipes I have shared here: Low Carb Recipes
I know everyone has their own opinion on sugar substitutes, but what do you think- is this something you would try? (FYI, by reducing our sugar/carb intake- I lost 35 lbs and hubby lost 50+ 2 years ago and have managed to keep it off by staying on a mostly low carb way of eating.)
Print
Sugar Free Candied Pecans
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 19 reviews
Add pecans, reduce heat to medium and gently stir/toss pecans until toasted. (about 5 minutes.)
Watch pecans closely they go from being done to burned, very fast.
Transfer pecans to a plate and let cool.
Break up pecans and store in an airtight container in the fridge
Enjoy!
Notes
For a yummy alternative, try adding 1/4 tspof cinnamon or a smidge of vanilla!
Nutrition
Serving Size:1/4th of recipe
Calories:266
Fat:29
Carbohydrates:4
Fiber:3
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About the AuthorJamie Sanders is a wife and mom of 2, located in the heart of Texas. She founded Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom in 2011 as a place to share creative ideas and family friendly recipes. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart, Woman’s World, HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, CNET, Good Housekeeping, Yahoo, Oprah Daily, and Redbook, plus many other publications. To date, she had given away just under a million free pdf sewing patterns.
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.
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.
You can remove the pecans to a baking sheet to cool faster if you like. Stir them every 10 minutes or so to avoid them clumping together, or you can just break them apart with a spatula or your hands later. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Pecans have a very low glycemic index, which means that eating them does not cause a spike in blood sugar, even in people with diabetes. Eating pecans can even offset the effects of higher glycemic index foods when eaten as part of the same meal.
The most important nuts for people with diabetes are probably the ones that improve cardiovascular health: almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, namely. If you only incorporate a few nuts into your diet, choose these ones. But be sure to avoid the salted varieties.
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.
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt makes these taste salty-sweet. If you'd prefer to not taste the salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325° F and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.
Sealed plastic bags are best for storing pecans in the freezer. In-shell pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for 6 to 12 months. They can be refrigerated up to 18 months and frozen for about three years.
Pecans by themselves, or when made into the tastiest pecan candy treats feeds our healthy skin, acts as a stress reducer, and is an anti-aging tool with all of its vitamins and minerals.
There's little difference between nuts and walnuts in the nutrients they provide, but pecans have slightly fewer calories and offer more fiber than walnuts. If you're creating recipes to encourage weight loss, pecans can give you a bit more of a feeling of fullness, thanks to their fiber content.
With the crust, butter, and sugar needed, pies are a danger to blood sugar. Limit the serving by splitting a slice at the table with a family member. Pumpkin pie is a healthier choice than pecan pie which can have triple the amount of calories.
Pecans also contain significant amounts of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, vitamin A, zinc and magnesium. Not to mention that these maple cinnamon pecans are free from refined sugar and naturally sweetened with real maple syrup, making this the perfect healthy snack.
Bottom line. Yes, children and adults with diabetes can and do eat candy. The key is moderation and making sure to track the number of carbohydrates and calories eaten. Sugar-free candies can be better for blood sugar levels, but they still contain carbs and calories.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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