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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    How to make Easy Spiced Pecans

    Published: Nov 17, 2019 · Modified: Jul 11, 2022 by Gitta Grether-Sweeney · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Spicy pecans in a white bolw
    Spiced pecans in a white bowl

    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.

    Spiced pecans in a serving bowl

    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!

    Jump to:
    • Why is this recipe for spiced pecans perfect?
    • The ingredients to make spiced pecans:
    • How to make spiced pecans:
    • Serving suggestions:
    • Storage
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why is this recipe for spiced pecans perfect?

    1. 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.
    2. The recipe comes together in 5 minutes and is made with ingredients you most likely have at home.
    3. The pecans have a nice balance of sweet and spicy with a little kick of heat.
    4. You can use these nuts in so many ways. (See below for ideas).
    5. You control the ingredients and know what you are eating!!
    6. The house smells so lovely when you bake them!

    The ingredients to make spiced pecans:

    1. 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.
    2. Egg white-the egg white helps the spice mixture stick to the nuts. It is essential to be sure to use it!
    3. 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.
    4. 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:

    Ingredient

    Gather ingredients. Using a small whisk, whip the egg white until frothy.

    Liquid mixture

    Add the sugar and spices to the egg whites and combine.

    pecans mixed with sugar, egg and spices

    Add the nuts and combine them with the egg white spice mixture.

    Spiced pecans on sheet pan before baking

    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.

    Close up of spiced pecans in serving bowl

    Done! Enjoy! It is so easy to make these that you will make them instead of buying them.

    Serving suggestions:

    1. Enjoy them with a cocktail or snack.
    2. Use them on a charcuterie board.
    3. Add them to a salad like Apple Cranberry Salad.
    4. Crumble them on top of pumpkin bread, muffins or scones.
    5. Crushed spicy pecans would be great on top of french toast, in the crumble topping of apple crisp, or on oatmeal.
    6. Give them as gifts. They make a perfect hostess gift.
    7. The list is endless.
    8. 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!

    Pin recipe for later
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    📋 Recipe

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    Spiced pecans in a serving bowl

    Easy Spiced Pecans

    ★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews
    • Author: Gitta
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 40 minutes
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 12 serving 1x
    • Category: Appetizer, Snack
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    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

    Units Scale
    • 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

    1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
    2. Line 12-inch x 18-inch sheet pan with parchment or spray it with pan release. 
    3. Whisk egg whites until they are frothy.
    4. Add the sugar, spices, and salt to the egg whites. Stir until they are well combined.
    5. Add the pecans to the egg white mixture. Stir coating the pecans entirely with the egg white mixture.
    6. Place the pecans on the prepared sheet pan and spread them out in a single layer.
    7. Bake for 20 minutes. Stir the nuts and spread in a single layer.
    8. Bake another 20 minutes until they are slightly brown. They will still be sticky.
    9. Cool the nuts on the sheet pan. They will dry while they cool.
    10. Store them in a sealed container. Nuts will keep for several weeks.

    Notes

    1.     Feel free to substitute your favorite nuts or use a mixture of nuts.  Walnuts would work well.  
    2.     It is important to cover the pecans completely with the egg white mixture.
    3.     If you like pecans that are spicy, add more cayenne pepper.  
    4.     Be sure to bake the nuts in a 300°F oven.  Do not bake them at a higher temperature or they will burn.
    5.     Be sure to let the nuts cool completely. 

    *Nutrition Disclaimer

    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

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @gittas_kitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #gittas_kitchen

    There are links to Amazon for equipment that I use to make this recipe for your convenience. If you purchase the equipment, I'll receive a small commission. For more information, please read my policy.

    More Appetizer and Snack Recipes

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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    1. Ellen England

      April 01, 2021 at 1:13 pm

      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!😁

      Reply
      • Gitta

        April 01, 2021 at 1:56 pm

        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!

        Reply
    2. Shelly

      November 29, 2020 at 12:51 pm

      Super easy to make these nuts and they taste GREAT!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Gitta

        November 30, 2020 at 10:42 am

        I am so happy you enjoyed making and eating theese spiced pecans!

        Reply
    3. Annie Jones

      September 21, 2020 at 4:43 pm

      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! ?

      Reply
      • Gitta

        September 22, 2020 at 3:10 pm

        Thanks for the feedback, Annie! I am happy you both enjoyed them!

        Reply
      • Annie Jones

        September 26, 2020 at 11:28 am

        So easy to make.
        Great snack for a football watching afternoon

        ★★★★★

        Reply
    4. John H Sweeney

      February 02, 2020 at 3:32 pm

      Love the sweet heat in this recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Mitzi

      November 24, 2019 at 3:06 pm

      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.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Gitta

        December 11, 2019 at 7:43 am

        So happy to you tried the recipe and liked the spiced nuts! Thank you!

        Reply
    6. Sarah Sams Uyeshima

      November 17, 2019 at 5:05 pm

      I can't wait to try these!

      Reply
      • Gitta

        November 18, 2019 at 9:36 am

        I hope you like them as much as I do!!

        Reply

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