A tasty fun little snack perfect for the holidays! These spiced pecans have a bit of sweetness from maple syrup and a bit of spice from chili powder.
Set out as nibblers at a gathering or package up and give as a hostess gift.
Why make this recipe
When I was a child, my mom always had bowls filled with nuts during the holidays. They were still in the shell and I love cracking and eating all those mixed nuts.
Having nuts out when you have company during the holidays is such a great idea. It gives people a little something to nibble on before dinner.
These spiced nuts are a perfect balance of sweet and salty with a little bit of spice. I used pecans, but you can use any type of nut. A mixture would be great.
These nuts take about 5 minutes to prep and then they go in a low-temperature oven for 20 minutes. Once they are cool they are ready to go.
Nothing better than having something so easy to make during the holidays. Perfect for last-minute guests or when you need a hostess gift!
Another oven-roasted nut to serve alongside these spiced pecans is roasted cashews!
Key ingredients
- Pecans - or other nuts
- Maple syrup
- Oil - vegetable or canola
- Chili powder - or cayenne pepper
- Coarse salt
Step by step directions
- Combine the syrup, oil and chili powder together in a small saucepan
- Heat just until warm and stir well
- Place pecans in a bowl and pour syrup mixture over pecans
- Toss gently so the nuts are fully covered
- Pour nuts onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper
- Spread into a single layer and sprinkle with salt
- Place in a preheated 300°F oven for 20 minutes, stirring nuts once halfway through baking
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with salt again. Allow nuts to fully cool before removing from tray.
Recipe tips
- Use full sized nuts as much as possible. Some broken pieces are fine.
- Spread nuts in a single layer on baking sheet
- I like to add a bit of salt just before baking and again right when they come out of the oven
- The chili pepper adds just a touch of heat. You can add ½ teaspoon more if you prefer things a bit spicier!
- Once nuts are cool, store in an airtight container
Serving suggestions
- Set out in small bowls
- Add to a charcuterie board
- Add to a salad
- Serve with baked goat cheese
- Package the nuts and give as gifts
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Be certain to check out all my delicious holiday recipes!
Spiced Pecans
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Cookie Sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups pecans
- 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or canola)
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon coarse salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F
- Combine the syrup, oil and chili powder together in a small saucepan2 tablespoons oil, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Heat just until warm and stir well
- Place pecans in a bowl and pour syrup mixture over pecans2 ½ cups pecans
- Toss gently so the nuts are fully covered
- Pour nuts onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Spread into a single layer and sprinkle with half the salt¾ teaspoon coarse salt
- Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, turning nuts halfway through
- Remove from oven and while still hot sprinkle with remaining salt
- Allow nuts to fully cool before removing from pan
Notes
- Use full sized nuts as much as possible. Some broken pieces are fine.
- Spread nuts in a single layer on baking sheet
- I like to add a bit of salt just before baking and again right when they come out of the oven
- The chili pepper adds just a touch of heat. You can add ½ teaspoon more if you prefer things a bit spicier!
- Once nuts are cool, store in an airtight container
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Kathy, the sweet, salty, and spicy flavors in these pecans would make them totally irresistible! I couldn't keep the bowls filled!
Kathy says
They do disappear quickly!
David @ Spiced says
Oh, I could get into trouble with a container of these spiced pecans around the house! It's one of those things you just snack on until you realize you've eaten the entire jar. I love the bit of chili powder in there in addition to the maple - I need to make these during the holidays!
Kathy says
I find myself doing just that. I keep nibbling just one or two and then boom, I've eaten them all!