The Best Spiced Pecans Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

These spiced pecans have everything you want in a spiced nut. They are sweet, crunchy, spicy, and unbelievably addicting.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: Spiced pecans are a great snack but you can also enjoy them on salads, desserts, pancakes, or even oatmeal.

How long it takes: 15 minutes, allow another 30 minutes for cooling
Equipment you’ll need: skillet, large shallow pan or tray for cooling, parchment paper
Servings: makes 4 cups, about 16 servings

The Best Spiced Pecans Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (1)

Table of Contents close

  • 1 Recipe Overview
  • 2 About these spiced pecans
  • 3 Ingredients You’ll Need
  • 4 How To Make These Spiced Nuts
  • 5 How To Use Spiced Pecans
  • 6 FAQs
  • 7 Make it your own
  • 8 Storage Tips
  • 9 More Nutty Snacks
  • 10 Get the Recipe: Spiced Pecans

Toasted pecans, lightly glazed with brown sugar and butter, and warmly spiced with cinnamon, cumin, cardamom and cayenne, are a pretty irresistible snack. For some reason, I always associate spiced nuts with the holidays, especially Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but you can enjoy spiced nuts any time of the year.

Pecans are not just a snack. Spiced nuts are a wonderful (and nutritious) addition to salads, yogurt, oatmeal, or pancakes.

About these spiced pecans

These spiced pecans have amazing flavor. First of all, toasted pecans merely on their own are phenomenal. Add butter, brown sugar, and a medley of warm spices and you’re pretty much in off-the-charts amazing flavor territory.

They are easy to make. You’d think something that tastes this good would be difficult to make but they are super easy. Spiced pecans only take about 15 minutes and you don’t even have to turn the oven on.

Pecans are good for you. Pecans have lots of vitamins and minerals, and very little saturated fat. According to the Georgia Pecan Commission, pecans have “so many health benefits, they are referred to as nutrition in a nutshell.” The plus side to eating nuts is that you get a lot of bang for your buck; a small amount is filling and will leave you satisfied. A quarter cup of these pecans (which is a pretty good-sized serving) is just 239 calories.

The Best Spiced Pecans Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2)

I’ll show you just how easy they are right here and give you lots of extra helpful tips. As always, you’ll find the printable recipe card near the end of the post, with instructions, measurements, and nutrition information.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Pecan Halves: You’ll need a pound of pecans which is about four cups. Look for the freshest pecans you can find. Stale pecans don’t taste good; the oil in nuts tends to become rancid over time. Halves, rather than pieces, are best for snacking.
  • Butter: Use unsalted butter if you can. If you only have salted butter, halve the amount of salt added.
  • Brown Sugar: Either light brown sugar or dark brown sugar will work. I prefer light brown sugar for this recipe because the flavor doesn’t overpower the spices.
  • Cinnamon: This warm spice is always so good on roasted nuts. We love cinnamon roasted almonds (with no sugar!) and even chickpeas can be roasted with cinnamon for a really tasty, healthy snack.
  • Cumin: Cumin is more often seen in savory dishes but it’s so good combined with other warm spices in a sweet snack like this.
  • Ground Cayenne Red Pepper: Cayenne pepper gives a nice little surprising tingle of heat. You don’t need much; just a subtle touch of fire is enough.
  • Cardamom: Cardamom is probably the least familiar of the spice quartet to some of us. It’s often seen in Indian or Middle Eastern cuisine, and you may recognize it as one of the ingredients in chai tea. You can buy cardamom in pods, seeds, or ground; ground cardamom is the most mildly flavored.
  • Salt: There’s exactly the right balance between sweet and salty in these spiced nuts.
  • Water: Helps distribute the sugar.

How To Make These Spiced Nuts

Make the spice mixture. Mix the salt and ground spices in a small bowl and set it aside for now. Measure out the brown sugar and set it aside too.

The Best Spiced Pecans Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (4)

Get the pan ready. Line a shallow baking sheet or tray with parchment paper. It doesn’t have to be oven-safe because you won’t be baking these nuts on the pan, just spreading them out to cool.

Toast the pecans. Next, put the pecans into a medium sized skillet. I like to use a nonstick skillet so the butter/sugar mixture sticks to the pecans and not the pan.

The Best Spiced Pecans Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (5)

Toast the nuts over medium heat for four to five minutes, stirring nearly constantly. The pecans should be lightly browned and smell toasted. Don’t try to rush them by toasting them on high heat. It’s better to go lower and slower when toasting nuts.

Add the butter and spice mixture. Add the butter, stirring until the butter is melted and the pecans are coated. Sprinkle the roasted pecans with the spice mixture, tossing lightly to distribute the spice.

The Best Spiced Pecans Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (6)

Add sugar and water. Add the brown sugar and water and stir well. Continue stirring and cooking for three to five minutes or until the sugar melts and the mixture is thickened slightly, glazing the pecans.

The Best Spiced Pecans Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (7)

Cool the pecans. Spread the toasted pecans on the prepared pan, using a fork to separate them. Allow the spiced pecans to cool completely before storing them.

The Best Spiced Pecans Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (8)

How To Use Spiced Pecans

  • Appetizer: Serve spiced nuts in a fancy dish at your next party. Add them to your charcuterie or cheese board. They go so well with cocktails like a vanilla bourbon fizz, an apple cider mule or an . And yes, they also would go down pretty well with a craft beer or your favorite wine.
  • Salads: Spiced pecans add pizzazz to most salads. Try them on this shaved Brussels sprouts salad with grapes and Parmesan. Add them to a simple green salad with fresh sliced strawberries and homemade poppy seed dressing.
  • Breakfast: Why not add spiced pecans to warm oatmeal or Greek yogurt, along with fresh fruit? That will start your day off in a pretty awesome way! Pancakes or waffles drizzled with maple syrup and topped with spiced pecans are amazing too.
  • Desserts: Sprinkle spiced pecans on vanilla ice cream, homemade vanilla pudding, or pound cake with homemade hot fudge or caramel sauce. So good!
  • Gifts: I actually give most of these away because there is no doubt in my mind I would eat the entire batch. Place the nuts in a jar with a pretty ribbon tied around the top and give them to your favorite people. (P.S. Homemade caramel corn makes a great gift too!)

FAQs

Are glazed pecans the same as candied pecans?

Glazed pecans are made with a mixture of brown sugar and butter. They may appear more glossy and aren’t usually baked.
Candied pecans are made with egg whites and white sugar, and may look more sugary. They are usually coated with egg white, tossed with white sugar, and baked until crisp.

Why are my spiced nuts sticky?

Spiced nuts will be a little sticky until they are completely cooled. As they cool, the sugar coating will harden.
It could be that they weren’t entirely cool when you stored them. The condensation inside the airtight container can make them sticky.
If the pecans are sticky, spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them at 325°F for 5 to 10 minutes.

Should nuts be stored in the freezer?

The oil in nuts can become rancid and make the nuts taste bad. To extend the shelf life of nuts, store them in the freezer in an airtight container. They will keep for up to a year. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to six months.

Make it your own

  • Substitute walnuts or raw almonds for the pecans.
  • Don’t have brown sugar? Use white granulated sugar instead.
  • Be creative with spice combinations. Pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice mixes are super yummy.
The Best Spiced Pecans Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (9)

Storage Tips

Cool pecans completely before storing them in an airtight container. If they aren’t completely cool, condensation will form on the inside of the container and they will get soggy.

Spiced pecans will keep for a week or so on the counter, a month in the fridge, and a few months in the freezer.

More Nutty Snacks

Olive Oil Roasted AlmondsSweet and Spicy Candied Bourbon PecansSmoky Roasted AlmondsPecan Pralines

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

The Best Spiced Pecans Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (14)

Recipe

Get the Recipe: Spiced Pecans

4.35 from 84 votes

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

16 servings

Print Rate Recipe

These spiced pecans have everything you want in a spiced nut. They are sweet, crunchy, spicy, and unbelievably addicting.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne red pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 16 ounces pecan halves (about 4 cups)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  • Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper; set aside.

  • Mix the salt, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon and cardamom in a small bowl; set aside.

  • Place the nuts in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring nearly constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes until they start to brown and smell like they are toasting.

  • Add the butter and stir until melted. Add the spices and stir until combined. Add sugar and water, stirring until the mixture thickens and coats the nuts, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

  • Transfer the nuts to the prepared pan and separate them with a fork. Cool completely before transferring to an airtight container for storage.

Notes

  • Makes 4 cups or 16 servings (¼ cup each).
  • Cool completely before storing in airtight container. Spiced pecans will keep for a week or so on the counter, a month in the fridge, and a few months in the freezer.
  • Substitute walnuts or raw almonds for the pecans if you prefer.
  • Don’t have brown sugar? Use white granulated sugar instead.
  • Be creative with spice combinations. Pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice mixes are super yummy.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.25cup, Calories: 239kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 147mg, Potassium: 125mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 117IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

The Best Spiced Pecans Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

FAQs

How long can you store spiced pecans? ›

Spiced pecans will stay fresh for up to two weeks at room temperature or up to a year when stored in the refrigerator or freezer. How do you store roasted nuts? The best way to store leftover spiced nuts is in an airtight container, sealable bag, or mason jar.

Why do you soak pecans before roasting? ›

Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

How do you know if pecans are good or bad? ›

Fresh pecans have a distinct aroma, characterized by their sweet, nutty scent. They should have a firm, almost crunchy texture and a rich golden or amber color. On the flip side, bad pecans may show signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell, a shriveled appearance, or a soft and rubbery texture.

Is it better to roast pecans before baking? ›

Pecans are typically added to a recipe for added texture and flavor and toasting them will only improve both qualities. Toasting pecans (or any nut for that matter) not only makes them extra crisp and crunchy, but you'll get an even greater boost of nuttiness and flavor.

Why are my roasted pecans bitter? ›

I started doing some research, and I found a little-known trick to making pecans taste sweeter: Soaking and rinsing the shelled nuts in lukewarm water before roasting removes the tannins and pieces of corky material that can cause pecans to taste bitter.

What causes pecans to go bad? ›

Humidity above these values can cause kernel molding and pecan texture deterioration (pecans become soft and rubber-like), whereas lower humidities will cause excessive drying. In-shell pecan kernels will darken under high humidity as a result of the tannic acid being dissolved from the shell lining.

Can dogs eat pecans? ›

Why are pecans bad for dogs? These nuts are toxic for dogs. Eating them can result in pets becoming sick and needing immediate veterinary care. “The reason pecans are considered toxic is that they contain a compound called juglone, also found in walnuts, that is harmful to dogs,” advises Dr.

Do pecans last longer in the freezer? ›

Answer: Absolutely! Freezing your pecans is the best way to store them. You can extend the shelf life of shelled pecans up to 2 years by freezing them. Just make sure that you put them in an air-tight, heavy duty freezer bag.

How do you get seasoning to stick to pecans? ›

Just toss nuts with oil, then powder, spread on a pan and bake. Doesn't get much simpler than that. Another alternative that has become popular is kettle roasted nuts. The nuts are cooked in a large kettle with an agitator to keep them from settling and burning.

How do you get the bitterness out of pecans? ›

Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking. To "sweeten" the pecan meats (kernels), simply put the pecan kernels in a bowl and fill with lukewarm water. Stir and tumble the meats in the water for several minutes and you will see the discoloration in the water.

What is the best temperature to roast pecans? ›

Oven: Spread them on a baking sheet and roast them in a 350°F oven. Stovetop: Toast them in a skillet over medium-high heat. Microwave: Microwave on HIGH for 30-60 seconds. Air fry: Pop them in your air fryer at 320°F.

What is the pink mold on my pecans? ›

A growth of white tufts develops on the lower leaf surface. Pink mold will develop on nuts that are infected with the pecan scab fungus. A white to pink, moldy growth will develop in old scab lesions. If the fungus invades the kernel, it becomes oily and produces a rancid odor.

What can you do with old pecans? ›

What to do with that bag of nuts going stale in the cupboard? Turn them into cake toppings, blend them into a marzipan, or toast them with spices or honey…

What is the brown powder on pecans? ›

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease of both pecan foliage and nuts caused by Microsphaera alni. It appears sporadically throughout the pecan belt in July during hot, humid weather. This disease produces characteristic powdery-like growth on leaflets and nuts.

How long to soak pecans before eating? ›

Preparation:
  1. Place the pecans and salt in a large glass or stainless steel bowl along with 8 cups of water. The pecans will swell during the soaking process, so you want enough water to keep them covered.
  2. Leave them on the counter to soak for 4-8 hours. ...
  3. After they are done soaking, drain and rinse in a colander.

Should you soak pecans before cracking? ›

Before shelling, pecans are moistened by water or steam, which is absorbed by the kernel. The kernel moisture increases from 4 to 8 percent, which makes it more flexible and reduces kernel breakage while cracking the nut.

What is the difference between roasted and toasted pecans? ›

Toasted pecans are not roasted pecans. Toasted pecans are cooked in a pan on the stove. I prefer to make roasted pecans in the oven because the pecans cook more evenly this way.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 6283

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.