Honey Roasted Pecans Recipe

By
Pete Scherer
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Pete Scherer
Pete Scherer is a cook and baker with a decade of experience across many facets of the Southern California food scene.
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Updated on 05/22/22
honey roasted pecans

The Spruce Eats / Pete Scherer
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Cool : 10 mins
Total: 30 mins
Yield: 1 cup
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
783 Calories
75g Fat
32g Carbs
10g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories 783
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 75g 96%
Saturated Fat 6g 32%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 133mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 10g 36%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 1mg 6%
Calcium 74mg 6%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 437mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Caramelized pecans are a favorite treat that you can make with just three ingredients in 35 minutes total with minimal preparation or cleanup. In just 20 minutes in the oven, you can use only a small amount of honey to get a sweet caramelization that makes these nuts crispy and delicious. They'll be ready to eat as a snack in no time. Say goodbye to paying large amounts of money for a small baggie of this decadent treat and make your own roasted pecans at home to have at hand year-round. Lightly sweet and crunchy, these toasted nuts are perfect to add to salads, use as toppings for ice cream, or chop and mix with cream cheese and maple syrup for a sweet bagel spread. The sky is the limit on how to use these pecans, and this recipe is your new secret weapon on how to make them in a budget-friendly and tasty way.

Some different recipes for honey-roasted pecans also add sugar, but we found that the hint of honey is enough sweetness to let the pecans shine. Trust us when we say you don't need more honey than one tablespoon per cup of pecans. You don't want to overpower the pecan flavor with a lot of sweetness, and the pinch of salt also helps counterbalance the sweetness and makes these pecans the perfect bite. If you really enjoy salty snacks, perhaps add coarse salt to taste instead of the pinch of fine salt we used in the recipe. When it comes to flavor, over-roasting the nuts might burn the sugars in the honey, making them bitter. Let them cool off for at least 10 minutes; the longer they cool off the better the flavor will be. One hour is great, but if you can't resist it at least give them 10 minutes to set.

Enjoy these flavorful pecans in salads, such as a bed of greens with goat cheese, beets, and a pecan topping. Add them to your morning oatmeal, or make yogurt parfaits layering pecan and fruit with full-fat Greek yogurt. Make trail mix with pretzels, chocolate chips, pepitas, and honey roasted pecans, or mix them with salty popcorn.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pecan halves, or halves and pieces

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 pinch fine salt

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line an oven safe dish or a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  3. In a medium bowl, combine the honey and pecans until thoroughly coated. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and toss once or twice more.

  4. Bake for up to 15 minutes. Take care not to over-caramelize the nuts, which will taint the honey flavor.

  5. Cool at least 10 minutes, and serve. Store in a sealed container for up to six months.

  6. Enjoy!