Best Spiced Pecans - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

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We all love spiced pecans. We have all seen nut vendors while walking through an airport, fair, or even some shopping malls. Those nuts are so expensive. But guess what? This spiced pecan recipe will help you make these tasty pecans quickly and easily at home.

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Sugar and Spice Pecans

Love plain pecans or salty pecans? Pecans are naturally sweet and full of vitamins and minerals. Enjoy them in this spiced pecans recipe – it’s so simple and so good!

Sweet spiced nuts are simple to make and cost so much less than buying them. You may even want to make a double batch because they are perfect for homemade Christmas gifts.

Why This is the Recipe You Must Try for Candied Spiced Nuts

You might want to know what makes this a great recipe, this is one of those recipes that is super easy to put together. It’s the perfect recipe for the holiday season.I know once you give this recipe a try, you will want to make this all of the time. This recipe is tried and true, and whenever I set these out at a gathering, they are gone in a flash.

Easy Spiced Pecans Recipe

This sugar spiced pecans recipe is simple to make and costs so much less than what you might pay when purchasing these sweet and salty nuts. Who doesn’t love the good news of being able to save money! You may even want to make a double batch of these tasty pecan treats.

These sweet spiced pecans make the perfect holiday gift, did I mention this is an easy candied pecans recipe? Just put them in an attractive container and finish it off with a bow. It’s so much less time-consuming than going shopping for presents.

These tasty nuts are perfect for hostess gifts, teachers, parties, the Super Bowl – you name it! They are gluten-free so there also great for those with gluten intolerance.

And, the most wonderful aroma will fill your home, which is especially nice over the holidays!

Sweet and crunchy, this sweet and spicy pecans recipe is just bursting with amazing flavor. They are perfect for setting out as nibbles for the early arriving impatient guest!

This addictive nut recipe is easy to make and rich in spice. Egg white clings to the pecans and holds the sugar and spice, eliminating the need for butter, oil, or melted sugar.

Candied spiced pecans have the right blend of sweet and spicy – cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, with just enough hint of salt to set everything off to perfection.

Is There a Difference Between Candied Pecans, Glazed Pecans, and Pralines?

Each of these ways to prepare pecans has a few things in common – pecans, of course, a type of sugar, salt, and spices. After that, there is some variation.

Candied pecans typically will involve white sugar and egg white. On the other hand, glazed pecans are generally made with brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Pralines are essentially coated in a caramel made of brown sugar, butter, and cream.

Each one of these pecan preparations results in a different flavor and texture.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need, you will find everything you need to recreate this great flavor in your grocery store.

  • Sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Ground allspice
  • Ground cloves
  • Egg white
  • Water
  • Pecan halves
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How to Make Spiced Pecans

There are just a few simple steps to making these candied nuts:

  1. Place all ingredients except the pecans in a medium bowl.
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  1. Mix until well Whisk egg whites very well with the spice blend.
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  1. Add pecans to the spice mixture and stir until they are well coated.
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  1. Spread the coated pecans out on a spread pecans out on a lightly greased baking sheet, or a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil into a single layer.
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  1. Bake at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for about 50 to 55 minutes. Be sure to place the baking sheet on the middle rack of your oven. Stir the pecans every 10minutes. Keep an eye on them in case your oven cooks hot and they get done faster. They will lightly brown, but you don’t want them to get too dark.
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  1. Remove the cookie sheet with the toasted pecans from the baking sheet and spread them out on waxed or parchment paper to cool.
  2. Make sure the nuts cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.
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Recipe Variations

Want to know different ways to modify this spiced roasted pecans recipe?

You can easily play with this spiced pecans recipe and make it your own. Here are some ideas:

  • Use brown sugar instead of white if you like more of a molasses flavor.
  • Use Splenda or Stevia instead of sugar if you have diabetics in your family. You won’t be able to tell the difference.
  • Vary the nuts. This sugar and spice nut recipe works well with walnuts or mixed nuts. Or try pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Also, peanuts, cashews, and even almonds would be great prepared this way.
  • Try different spices. For example, substitute ground cardamom for the cloves, and you’ll have a winner! Smoked paprika will add a nice smoky touch.
  • For a Fall inspired flavor try Pumpkin pie spice is perfect for fall!
  • Add a little heat. Simply add 1/2 teaspoon of ground chili powder or 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the spice mix for a bit of kick!
  • Add citrus flavor. For a little citrusy difference, add 1 tablespoon of orange zest.

How to Use Spiced Pecans

Many flavors pair well with spiced pecans. Here are ways to use them (other than just eating them straight, of course!).

These crack nuts are perfect for tossing over a green salad. Put them in a salad with baby spinach, dried cranberries, crumbled blue cheese, sliced pears, and balsamic vinaigrette.

Or, make a grilled chicken salad with these salty pecans and a raspberry vinaigrette.

Add them to a fruit salad for some crunch.

Chop them up and sprinkle them over ice cream, add them to your favorite yogurt with some granola, or mix them into your oatmeal.

Use them as a delicious garnish for a fun appetizer. For instance, sprinkle them over any appetizer involving goat cheese.

How to Store Spiced Pecans and Keep Them Crispy

Candied nuts can be stored in an airtight container (such as a resealable glass jar or a mason jar) at room temperature for up to one week.

Your spiced pecans can be placed in the fridge for up to three weeks or in the freezer (in an appropriate airtight container) for up to two months.

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Love pecans and nuts? Try these recipes!

  • Almond Brittle
  • Almond Cookies
  • Chocolate Pecan Pie
  • Cranberry Pecan Cookies
  • Pecan Delight Pie
  • Pecan Pie Bars
  • Pecan Sandies
  • Texas Pecan Pie

Favorite Christmas Treat Recipes

  • Cornflake Wreaths
  • Hello Dolly Bars
  • Peppermint Bark
  • Rocky Road Candy
  • White Fudge Oreos

Check out more of my easy snack recipes and the best Christmas treats recipes here on CopyKat!

Spiced Pecans

These spiced pecans are like the candied nuts that you find in malls, fairs, and airports.

5 from 5 votes

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Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Candied Pecans, Spiced Pecans, Sugar and Spice Pecans

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 32 1/4 cup servings

Calories: 189kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons water
  • 8 cups Pecan halves

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

  • Combine sugar, all the spices, water, and egg white in a bowl and mix well.

  • Add pecans and stir until they are well coated.

  • Spread out coated pecans on a lightly greased foil lined jelly roll pan or baking sheet.

  • Bake at 275 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. (Keep an eye on them in case your oven cooks hot and they take less time. They will lightly brown, but you don't want them to get too dark.)

  • Remove the pecans from the baking sheet and spread them out on waxed or parchment paper to cool.

  • When the pecans have cooled, store them in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Best Spiced Pecans - CopyKat Recipes (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.

Why are my spiced nuts sticky? ›

If after they have cooled down, the pecans are still sticky, this means that the sugar mixture never reached a high enough temperature when on the stove. To fix them, place the nuts back into the skillet and cook a bit longer.

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.

How many cups is 1lb of pecans? ›

Measurements and Substitutions

If you happen to have pecans in their shells, remember that 1 pound equals 3 cups shelled, about 4 cups pecan halves, and about 3 3/4 cups chopped nuts. Equivalents to know when using shelled pecans are that 1 pound equals 4 cups and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped.

Can dogs have pecans? ›

Why Pecans are Toxic for Dogs. Pecans contain juglone, a compound found in walnuts and pecans that is harmful to dogs and horses. Juglone can cause digestive issues, which usually results in vomiting. Pecans can also get a mold that contains aflatoxin called aspergillus.

Can pecans become rancid? ›

Because oil content in pecans is high, rancidity can develop at warm temperatures and is more noticeable than in most other nuts. Pecan oil is a mixture of several oils, although oleic and linoleic oils are the two principal ones, usually comprising about 95% or more of total oil.

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.

Why do people boil pecans? ›

Boiling pecans before cracking them can actually help prevent the shell from shattering. Here's how to boil them to loosen the shell but not cook the meat: ● Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil ● Add the pecans and let cook for 10-15 minutes ● Drain and let cool ● Get to cracking!

What is the difference between candied pecans and praline pecans? ›

Praline pecans are just one variety of candied pecans. These pecans have a tasty coating or glaze and are also referred to as flavored pecans.

How do you get Tajin to stick to nuts? ›

Instructions
  1. In a bowl, melt butter and add the Tajin seasoning.
  2. Add the nuts in and toss well. Ensure all the nuts are coated.
  3. Layer the nuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the nuts are crunchy.
Sep 21, 2023

How do you reheat spiced nuts? ›

In a saucepan on the stovetop, gently warm on medium heat until hot, constantly stirring roughly between 2 and 5 minutes. Place the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven set to 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Check and stir at the halfway point.

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.

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.

Does boiling pecans make them easier to crack? ›

Boiling them first will soften the shell, making them easier to crack. The moisture will also reduce the mess by preventing so many tiny shell fragments. Once your pecans have cooled, you can start cracking them. A high quality nutcracker will be your best option for this step.

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