Savory-Sweet Spiced Pecans: A Quick Family Treat

# Sweet and Spicy Pecans · Easy Family Recipes

These **Sweet and Spicy Pecans** are ideal for snacking or enhancing the texture and flavor of various dishes! Tossed in butter and a blend of sweet spices, these pecans are coated with a delightful mix of maple, orange, and brown sugar.

This recipe for Sweet and Spicy Pecans is incredibly straightforward, yielding a perfect snack or topping!

With their buttery, soft texture and flavors of maple and orange combined with the best sweet and spicy seasonings, they’re hard to resist.

If you can resist the urge to eat them straight from the pan, they make an excellent addition to mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, baked brie, cereal, or oatmeal. Their warm, distinctive flavor elevates any meal!

## Why I LOVE this recipe!

– **Simple to prepare** – Gather just a few basic ingredients and spend 10 minutes prepping to create a batch of these sweet and spicy pecans.
– **One-pan process** – There’s no need for roasting! These pecans are ready **FAST** in just one skillet.
– **Ideal flavor blend** – They strike the perfect balance between sweet and spicy… Plus, you have the flexibility to tweak the seasonings to match your preferences!
– **Versatile!** – Snack on these spicy pecans, sprinkle them over salads, layer them on mashed potatoes or sweet potato casseroles, add them to baked brie, incorporate them into roasted vegetables, or mix them into cereal or oatmeal… The options truly are limitless!

## Recipe Notes

This spicy candied pecans recipe is genuinely as easy as advertised! Just 10 minutes of prep and a handful of ingredients will lead to a delightful holiday treat, quick snack, or salad garnish.

Here, I’ll share a few tips and tricks to ensure you achieve the best delicious results when making sweet and spicy pecans.

Be sure to scroll down for the COMPLETE recipe card.

## Ingredients + Substitutions

– **Pecans** – You will need 16 ounces, approximately 4 cups, of pecans—pecan halves are preferred. However, other nut varieties like walnuts or cashews can also be substituted.
– **Butter** – You can use either salted or unsalted butter to enhance the flavor.
– **Seasonings** – A mix of salt, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper is utilized.
– **Brown Sugar** – Light brown sugar is suggested, but dark brown sugar works as well.
– **Orange Juice** – The vibrant, citrusy taste of orange complements the sweet and spicy elements in this recipe beautifully.
– **Maple Syrup** – Provides a rich, sticky sweetness.

For the complete quantities and ingredient list, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.

## Recipe Variations

If you’re a fan of this recipe and want to try some quick twists for variety, here are a few tips!

– **Roasted Spicy Pecans** – Instead of using a skillet, roast the pecans in the oven. Combine them with melted butter, spices, brown sugar, and maple syrup, then bake until toasted and caramelized.
– **Sweet Chili Pecans** – Add a hint of chili powder for a savory flavor kick.
– **Sweet and Spicy Nuts** – While this recipe is delightful with pecans, it can be adapted for other nuts. Experiment with walnuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, or peanuts!

## Recipe Step by Step

Here, I’ll highlight some key steps for making these spicy sweet pecans, but you can find the complete instructions in the recipe card below.

Step 1 – Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, add the pecans, and stir until they are fragrant and toasted, taking care not to burn them.

Step 2 – Stir in the salt, cinnamon, cumin, and cayenne until the pecans are well-coated.

Step 3 – Incorporate the brown sugar, orange juice, and maple syrup, mixing until the sugar dissolves. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture simmers and thickens, ensuring the pecans are fully coated.

For a visual reference, please refer to the images provided:

• Step 4 – Transfer the pecans to parchment paper or a baking sheet and let them cool to room temperature. Serve or store!

Recipe Tips

1. Maintain medium heat – Although it may be tempting to increase the heat to speed things up, high temperatures can cause the pecans or the sugar mixture to burn. For optimal results, keep the heat at a medium level.
2. Allow the mixture to thicken – Be sure to give the sugar, orange juice, and maple syrup time to thicken on the stove so that it reaches the desired texture as the pecans cool.
3. Cool before serving – It’s important to cool the pecans to room temperature prior to serving so the “candy” mix can harden. Spread the pecans in a single layer on parchment paper or a baking sheet.

Recipe Short Cuts

If you’re pressed for time but still want to make this recipe, here are some tips to expedite the process!

• Chill in the fridge – If you’re eager to snack, speed up the cooling process by placing the baking sheet in the refrigerator!
• Prepare the spice mix ahead of time – For those who make this recipe frequently, you can pre-mix your spices in bulk so they’re always ready to use!

Freezer Meal Instructions

Transforming these spicy pecans into a freezer-ready snack is easy! Follow the steps below, and you can keep this recipe in your freezer for up to six months.

How to Freeze Sweet Spicy Pecans

1. Prepare the recipe as directed, then allow the nuts to cool completely to room temperature.
2. Place them into a freezer-safe bag and keep in the freezer for up to one month.

How to Serve Sweet and Spicy Pecans

These sweet and spicy pecans are delicious on their own, but they also enhance various dishes! Here are some creative serving suggestions:

Serving Ideas

• Baked Brie in Pie Crust – Elevate this sumptuous appetizer by adding a layer of sweet and spicy pecans. The creamy brie cheese is enveloped in a flaky, buttery pie crust.
• Kale Salad – Bring a satisfying crunch to a kale salad featuring parmesan cheese and a zesty lemon vinaigrette.
• Strawberry Spinach Salad – Add a delightful crunch and flavor to your fresh strawberry spinach salad, which includes sliced strawberries, onions, and a poppy seed dressing.
• Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Introduce texture to your luxuriously creamy mashed sweet potatoes, made with velvety sweet potatoes, butter, sour cream, parmesan, and chives.
• Maple Glazed Carrots – Complement the maple notes in your pecans by tossing them with maple-glazed carrots that are tender, sweet, and infused with warm spices.

You can also incorporate them into cereal or oatmeal or use them as a delightful topping for pancakes!

Spicy Candied Pecans Leftovers

If you have any leftovers after preparing this recipe, consider yourself fortunate! They store well and can be enjoyed as a snack at any time.

To save leftovers, place them in an airtight container and store:

• On the countertop for 2-3 weeks
• In the freezer for up to a month

Recipe FAQ’s

The nuts may naturally soften as they cook and absorb the flavors from the sugar and spices. The sugary mixture will harden as it cools, resulting in a delightful crunch that contrasts with the slightly softer pecans.

The pecans might remain sticky after cooking, or for a day or two afterward, but the sugar mixture will harden as it cools and dries out.