I love these spiced pecans because they have a nice balance of sweet, spice, and a bit of heat. A bonus is that you can use them in various ways. Serve them with cocktails, on a charcuterie board, or in a salad. They also make great gifts.
I was inspired to make my own spiced pecans after paying $4.50 for a 5-ounce package which was eaten in one sitting! That is an expensive bag of nuts for one snack. So, I researched recipes and tried a few but none of them tasted like the ones I had purchased. Therefore, I decided to create my own recipe, and here it is!
Why is this recipe for spiced pecans perfect?
- They are inexpensive to make. If you purchase the pecans at Costco they cost about $16.99 for 2 pounds. They are also inexpensive in the bulk section of your grocery store.
- The recipe comes together in 5 minutes and is made with ingredients you most likely have at home.
- The pecans have a nice balance of sweet and spicy with a little kick of heat.
- You can use these nuts in so many ways. (See below for ideas).
- You control the ingredients and know what you are eating!!
- The house smells so nice when you bake them!
The ingredients to make spiced pecans:
- Pecans-I like to use pecan halves because they are more versatile. You can use other nuts such as almonds or walnuts or even a mixture of nuts if you do not like pecans.
- Egg white-the egg white helps the spice mixture stick to the nuts. It is important to be sure to use it!
- Spices-the spices are straight forward, cinnamon, cumin, cayenne pepper. PRO TIP: spices are usually cheaper when you purchase them in the bulk section of your grocery store. If you need spice containers, they are usually stocked at the grocery store, or you can save the old container and refill them.
- Sugar-everyday granulated sugar is best for the recipe. Do not use a coarse sugar because it would not blend well with the spices and it would add an odd texture to the nuts.
How to make spiced pecans:
Gather ingredients. Using a small whisk (affiliate link), whip the egg white until frothy.
Add the sugar and spices to the egg whites and combine.
Add the nuts and combine them with egg white spice mixture.
Line a 12'x18" sheet pan with parchment paper. Spread the pecans on the paper in a single layer. Roast at 300° F for 20 minutes then flip the nuts and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Cool nuts completely. The coating will harden as they cool.
Done! Enjoy! It is so easy to make these that from now on you will make them instead of buying them.
Serving suggestions:
- Enjoy them with a cocktail or snack.
- Use them on a charcuterie board.
- Add them to a salad like Apple Cranberry Salad.
- Crumble them on top of pumpkin bread, muffins or scones.
- Crushed spicy pecans would be great on top of french toast, in the crumble topping of apple crisp or on oatmeal.
- Give them as gifts. They make a perfect hostess gift.
- The list is endless.
- What are your ideas on how to use them?
Storage
Store the pecans in an airtight container for 3 weeks at room temperature. You can also store them in the freezer or refrigerator.
I hope you try this recipe! Give it a rating and please comment below. I love hearing from you!
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Easy Spiced Pecans
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 serving 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Description
I love these sweet and spicy pecans! They are fast to make and are a delicious and easy appetizer. Add them to cheese trays or salads. Why buy store-bought when these homemade spiced pecans are less expensive and taste better. Be careful they can be addictive!
Ingredients
- 1 large egg white
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp chile powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 3 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Line 12x18 sheet pan with parchment or spray it with pan release.
- Whisk (affiliate link) egg whites until they are frothy.
- Add the sugar, spices, and salt to the egg whites. Stir until they are well combined.
- Add the pecans to the egg white mixture. Stir until the pecans are well coated with the egg white mixture.
- Place the pecans on the prepared sheet pan and spread them out in a single layer.
- Bake 20 minutes. Stir the nuts and spread in a single layer.
- Bake another 20 minutes until they are slightly brown. They will still be sticky.
- Cool the nuts on the sheet pan. They will dry while they cool.
- Store them in a sealed container. Nuts will keep for several weeks.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute your favorite nuts or use a mixture of nuts. Walnuts would work well.
- It is important to cover the pecans completley with the egg white mixture.
- If you like pecans that are spicy, add more cayanne pepper.
- Be sure to bake the nuts in a 300°F oven. Do not bake them at a higher temperature or they will burn.
- Be sure to let the nuts cool completely.
These taste so good.
I am not usually a fan of spicy things...but the sweet and heat was perfect. Even my husband liked them! 😁
Thanks for the feedback, Annie! I am happy you both enjoyed them!
So easy to make.
Great snack for a football watching afternoon
★★★★★
Love the sweet heat in this recipe!
★★★★★
Hi Gitta,
I just made the spiced nuts. This is another one of your not only delicious, but also very informative recipe. I cannot wait to serve the nuts to my guests. And ahhh the aroma in the house! It reminds me of cold, snowy days with the crackling wood in the fireplace. I miss those days in the great State of Texas.
★★★★★
So happy to you tried the recipe and liked the spiced nuts! Thank you!
I can't wait to try these!
I hope you like them as much as I do!!