How to Store Candied Pecans for Maximum Freshness (2024)

You’ve likely heard of candied pecans if you’re a pecan lover. These sweet treats are perfect for snacking on their own or adding to a salad for a sweet and crunchy topping. However, one of the biggest challenges with storing candied pecans is ensuring they remain fresh for as long as possible.

At Almond Brothers, we understand the importance of keeping our pecans fresh and delicious. In this blog, we’ll share our top tips for storing candied pecans to ensure they stay fresh and tasty for longer.

Why Proper Storage is Important

Before we dive into our tips, let’s discuss why proper storage is important for candied pecans. Just like any other food item, pecans can become stale and lose their flavor over time if not stored correctly.

Candied pecans, in particular, can be even more vulnerable to going stale due to their sugar content. Sugar can attract moisture, and excess moisture can make the pecans soggy. Additionally, if not stored in an airtight container, candied pecans can absorb odors from other items in your pantry or refrigerator, affecting the flavor.

With that in mind, let’s look at how to store your candied pecans for maximum freshness.

Store in an Airtight Container

One of the most important things you can do to keep your candied pecans fresh is to store them in an airtight container. An airtight container will prevent air and moisture from getting in, which can help preserve the crunch and flavor of the pecans.

At Almond Brothers, we recommend using a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Glass is non-porous and won’t absorb any odors or flavors, which can be a concern with plastic containers. Also, ensure the container is large enough to hold the pecans without crushing them.

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Another important factor in storing candied pecans is temperature. Pecans should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent the oil inside from going rancid. Rancid oil can lead to an unpleasant taste and odor in the pecans.

Keep your candied pecans away from sources of heat and moisture. This means avoiding storing them near your stove, dishwasher, or even on top of your refrigerator. Instead, store them in a cool pantry or cupboard.

Refrigerate or Freeze for Long-Term Storage

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.

If you choose to refrigerate or freeze your pecans, use an airtight container or freezer bag. This will prevent any frost from forming on the pecans, which can lead to freezer burn and a loss of flavor.

Tips for Reviving Stale Candied Pecans

Even if you’ve stored your candied pecans properly, there may be times when they start to lose their crunchy texture. If this happens, don’t despair. There are a few tricks you can use to revive stale pecans.

One option is to bake them in the oven for a few minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F and spread the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-10 minutes, checking frequently, until they’re crisp and fragrant.

Another option is to microwave them for a few seconds. Place the pecans in a microwave-safe dish and heat them on high power for 15-20 seconds. Check them after each interval to make sure they don’t burn.

Both of these methods can help bring your stale candied pecans back to life but be careful not to overdo it. If you leave them in the oven or microwave for too long, they can burn and become even less enjoyable to eat.

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Storing candied pecans properly is essential for maximizing their freshness and flavor. By following these tips, you can ensure your pecans stay crunchy and delicious longer. Remember to use an airtight container, store in a cool, dry place, and refrigerate or freeze for long-term storage.

At Almond Brothers, we take pride in our high-quality pecans and want you to enjoy them at their best. If you have any further questions about storing candied pecans or want to try our products, please visit our website, and contact us.

How to Store Candied Pecans for Maximum Freshness (2024)

FAQs

How to Store Candied Pecans for Maximum Freshness? ›

Storing. Candied pecans will keep tightly sealed in an airtight container for one to two weeks. They will keep for at least three weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator and may be frozen for several months.

How do you store candied pecans? ›

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Keep your candied pecans away from sources of heat and moisture. This means avoiding storing them near your stove, dishwasher, or even on top of your refrigerator. Instead, store them in a cool pantry or cupboard.

How long do candied pecans stay good? ›

How Long Do Candied Pecans Last? Store your candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. If you give them as a gift, be sure to include storage instructions.

Should glazed pecans be refrigerated? ›

Candied pecans don't need to be frozen – be sure to keep them in the refrigerator to maximize their freshness. Some varieties, like honey roasted pecans, may clump together when first pulled from the cold of the refrigerator. Be prepared to gently break them apart, if needed.

How to keep pecans fresh longer? ›

Want to know the secret to keeping your pecans fresh? It's simple. Just keep your pecans in airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. When you are ready to serve, you can bring them up to room temperature or cook with them right away, no thawing necessary.

How long do pecans last in a ziplock bag? ›

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.

How long does pecan candy last? ›

Candy pecans have a shelf-life of 6 months. You can also store them in the freezer or refrigerator to enhance their shelf-life.

Do candied nuts go bad? ›

Ba-dum-dum. Okay, all bad dad jokes aside, these candied walnuts will last quite a while. All nuts do go rancid eventually, but as long as you cool them completely and then store them in an air-tight container, they should be good for about a month. You might also like our Candied Pecans recipe or Candied Almonds!

Do pecans go bad if not refrigerated? ›

Question: Do pecans need to be refrigerated? Answer: No, shelled pecans do not need to be refrigerated and will last up to 4 months if kept around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Are 2 year old pecans good? ›

In-shell pecans can remain good for 4 months at 70°F, but can be stored successfully for 18 months at 32°F to 36°F. Storage life of in-shell nuts may extend to 5 years or more when stored at 0°F (table 1).

Why are my candied pecans soft? ›

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.

Can you store pecans in mason jars? ›

Pecans (and almost any food) can be preserved in Mason jars. This method frees up your freezer space, and there is no freezer burn.

What do rancid pecans taste like? ›

Caption Options. But truly rank nuts can be “bitter, sour, and potentially cheesy or vomit-like,” says food scientist Topher McNeil. The science behind this unfortunate transformation is a complicated chemical reaction called oxidation.

Where is the best place to store pecans? ›

If kept cool enough and properly sealed, pecans can last up to nine months in the refrigerator. Place pecans in airtight containers or resealable bags before storing them in the refrigerator. Freezing: For longer-term storage, storing pecans in the freezer is an easy way to ensure fresh pecans all year long.

How to tell if pecans are bad? ›

Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.

Will freezing pecans keep them fresh? ›

Can You Freeze Pecans? Freezing pecans is one of the best ways to store pecans due to their low water content. Freezing preserves their flavor and freshness when you only use them sparingly. You can easily buy pecans in bulk and save them for years in the freezer.

Should you store pecans in the refrigerator? ›

In-shell pecans can be stored at room temperature for a short period of time. Keep in a refrigerator, if so desired, to keep for longer than 4 months. If pecans need to be stored for more than a year, either in the shell, cracked, or shelled, they have to be placed in the freezer.

How long do pecans last at room temperature? ›

Around room temperature, in-shell pecans can last for up to 4 months. At chillier temperatures, they can last for much longer. Frozen, in-shell pecans can remain good for several years.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

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.

How long do pecans last in airtight container? ›

Keep the bag sealed tightly so no moisture can get in. This method will allow you to extend the shelf life of in-shell pecans to about 24 months, shelled pecans to 24 months and cracked pecans to 12 months.

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