01 -
Grab a small mixing bowl and whisk together the egg whites and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes beautifully frothy and light. This usually takes about a minute or two of vigorous whisking. Once you've got that perfect foam, set it aside for now.
02 -
In a medium bowl, combine both sugars with the aromatic cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Give everything a good stir until it's evenly mixed and fragrant. This sweet spice blend is what gives these pecans their irresistible flavor.
03 -
Place all the pecans in a large mixing bowl. Pour the frothy egg white mixture over them and stir thoroughly until every pecan is glistening with the coating. Next, add the sugar spice mixture and toss everything together until each pecan is completely covered in the sweet blend.
04 -
Lightly spray your slow cooker with cooking spray or brush a thin layer of oil on the bottom and sides to prevent sticking. Transfer all those beautifully coated pecans into the slow cooker, spreading them out as evenly as possible.
05 -
Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Let the pecans cook for 3 hours, but here's the key - stir them every 20 minutes to ensure even coating and prevent burning. This regular stirring is what creates that perfect candied exterior.
06 -
Once cooking is complete, immediately spread the hot pecans onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them cool completely for about 30 minutes - this cooling time allows the coating to set and become perfectly crispy. Then they're ready to enjoy or package up for gifts!