I love these spiced pecans because they have a nice balance of sweetness, 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 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 tasted like the ones I had purchased. Therefore, I decided to create my recipe, and here it is!
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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 reasonable 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 lovely 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, 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 essential to be sure to use it!
- Spices-the spices are straightforward: cinnamon, cumin, and cayenne pepper. PRO TIP: spices are usually cheaper when you purchase them at the grocery store's bulk section. If you need spice containers, they are typically stocked at the grocery store, or save the old container and refill them.
- Sugar-everyday granulated sugar is best for the recipe. Do not use coarse sugar because it would not blend well with the spices and would add an odd texture to the nuts.
How to make spiced pecans:
Gather ingredients. Using a small whisk, whip the egg white until frothy.
Add the sugar and spices to the egg whites and combine.
Add the nuts and combine them with the egg-white spice mixture.
Line a 12-inch x 18-inch 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 the nuts completely. The coating will harden as it cools.
Done! Enjoy! It is so easy to make these that 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! Please rate it and comment below. I love hearing from you! ❤️
Print📋 Recipe
Easy Spiced Pecans
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 serving
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Description
I love these sweet and spicy pecans! They are fast to make and are 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
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon chile powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F.
- Line 12-inch x 18-inch sheet pan with parchment or spray it with pan release.
- Whisk 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 coating the pecans entirely with the egg white mixture.
- Place the pecans on the prepared sheet pan and spread them out in a single layer.
- Bake for 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 completely with the egg white mixture.
- If you like pecans that are spicy, add more cayenne 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.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 194
- Sugar: 6.5 g
- Sodium: 101.5 mg
- Fat: 17.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Protein: 2.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
For your convenience, I have included links to Amazon for equipment that I use to make this recipe. “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.” If you purchase the equipment, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read my policy.
Rich
These turned out great! I added a little more cayenne for more heat and added 1 TBSP oil to the wet ingredients to thin it out a little. I tried using parchment on the cookie sheet but it was near impossible to stir the nuts after 20 minutes because they kept pulling and wrinkling the paper so I put them right on the cookie sheet.
patrice forsyth
Followed as written. Definitely a keeper!!
Gitta Grether-Sweeney
I am so happy you liked these pecans! Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
Happy Cooking!
Gitta
Ellen England
I had to chuckle at the dimensions of the sheet pan!
“ Line a 12'x18" sheet pan”
Will be trying the recipe soon with a much smaller pan!😁
Gitta
Hi Ellen-
Oh my goodness! Thank you for pointing the pan size out to me! You definitely do not need a 12-foot pan! 😁 I will correct the post to a 12-inch pan. Thanks again for letting me know. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Shelly
Super easy to make these nuts and they taste GREAT!
Gitta
I am so happy you enjoyed making and eating theese spiced pecans!
Annie Jones
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! ?
Gitta
Thanks for the feedback, Annie! I am happy you both enjoyed them!
Annie Jones
So easy to make.
Great snack for a football watching afternoon
John H Sweeney
Love the sweet heat in this recipe!
Carol Glasgow
My 15 yr old granddaughter and her Dad absolutely love this recipe. Have made them several times and they disappear quickly!!!
Gitta Grether-Sweeney
Thank you for letting me know that your granddaughter and her Dad love the Spiced Pecans. I am so happy to hear they like them. You made my day!
XO-Gitta
Mitzi
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.
Gitta
So happy to you tried the recipe and liked the spiced nuts! Thank you!
Sarah Sams Uyeshima
I can't wait to try these!
Gitta
I hope you like them as much as I do!!