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 out filled with nuts during the holidays. They were the 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 are honey 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
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!