Sweet & Spicy Pecans Recipe for Parties (2024)

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Sweet & spicy pecans are an easy make-ahead party snack for holidays, co*cktail parties, game day or tailgating. The balance of sweetness and spiciness is truly addictive! Serve them in snack bowls or toss them on top of a salad.

Sweet & Spicy Pecans Recipe for Parties (1)

These have been on our party appetizers table for as long as I can remember. They’re a staple of southern holiday entertaining or any time you want to serve delicious nibbles. Add these seasoned pecans to your next co*cktail party, ladies night in, or dinner party.

WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?

Spiced Pecans

These sweet and spicy pecans are the perfect addition to add to any party menu or holiday entertaining. They have the perfect balance of sweetness and heat from ingredients like sugar, cayenne pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. And a combination of egg whites and butter makes sure the flavor completely encapsulates the pecan.

I’ve grown up with holiday parties always having a bowl of pecans or mixed nuts that have been seasoned and spiced for the occasion. Nothing says the Holidays to me quite like a dish full of sweet & spicy pecans. This amazing party recipe is the perfect addition to Thanksgiving or Christmas entertaining. It’s also great for game day parties!

Make-Ahead for Parties

Make a big batch of these seasoned nuts up to 3 days ahead. Store them in an air tight container then serve them at parties, or set them out while your waiting for the big meal to finish cooking.

This is a tried and true recipe we’ve made for years. And guests ALWAYS rave about the taste. I bet you have all the ingredients in your kitchen already!

Sweet & Spicy Pecans Recipe for Parties (2)
Sweet & Spicy Pecans Recipe for Parties (3)

Serving Suggestions

This version of candied pecans lends itself well to a variety of uses. Here are some more ways to serve them.

  • Add these to any party cheese board you might serve throughout the year.
  • Serve them on a brunch cheese board for weekends and holiday brunch entertaining.
  • Put a small dish on a bar cart bubbly barso guests can grab a few while they pour a co*cktail.
  • Sprinkle them onto a spinach & arugula salad along with blue cheese and dried cranberries or fresh pears. Top with a simple vinaigrette. The sweet spicy flavor and crunch go so well with the salty cheese and fresh or dried fruit.
  • Give them as party favors or hostess gifts. Just put some into a cellophane bag and tie with ribbon.
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Sweet & Spicy Pecans Recipe for Parties (5)

How to Make Sweet & Spicy Pecans

As you follow the recipe card instructions keep these tips in mind for best results.

  1. Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This makes for easier cleanup and also protects the pan from absorbing the heat flavor from the cayenne pepper.
  2. Make sure to use pecan halves for best results and flavor.
  3. Use a large mixing bowl. Add the egg whites and salt and whip them using a whisk, until they’re nice and frothy.
  4. Add the remaining seasonings and mix well. Pour in the pecan halves and melted butter, and stir to coat all the nuts.
  5. Spray the prepared baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray before pouring the coated pecans onto it.
  6. Spread the nuts out in a single layer so they don’t overlap one another. You can bake them in batches if you need to.
  7. Bake as directed, stirring every 10 minutes to avoid over-browning on one side.
  8. Remove from oven and let cool completely. They will crisp up as they cool.

HOSTESS TIP: Remove them from the baking sheet and let cool on a cooling rack in a single layer so they don’t clump together.

More Nuts Recipes

You can’t go wrong with any of these spiced nut recipes. Just determine if you want a bit of heat (this recipe), more sweetness, or more savory & smoked flavor. Serve them all year long for any party occasion.

  • Try this sweet candied pecans version that has an overall sweeter flavor, with seasonal spices like cinnamon and brown sugar.
  • These savory spicy pecans are not sweet. They’re made with soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco adding a distinct flavor.

Can I use different nuts for this recipe?

You can certainly add variety with different types of nuts. Sometimes I like to add almonds to the mixture to give it more texture and flavor. I’ll measure 4 cups pecans and 2 cups almonds.

Walnuts are another good nut to use for this recipe. Their texture is similar to pecans but the taste is a bit different.

Cashews can also be used to mix in. Just make sure your total measurement is 6 cups of nuts and you can adjust the ratio to pecans accordingly.

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Here are more fun facts about nuts.

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Sweet and Spicy Pecans Recipe

Yield: 6 cups

These sweet & spicy pecans are a great make-ahead recipe for parties and holiday entertaining. Add them to a bowl to nosh on or add them to salads. You can even wrap them up for hostess gifts or party favors.

Ingredients

  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Smoke Paprika (or regular)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 6 cups pecan halves
  • 1/4 cup Plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Beat egg whites and salt with wire whisk until foamy. Add sugar, paprika, red pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, beating well. Stir in pecans and butter. Spread on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil & sprayed with non-stick spray.
  2. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until pecans are crisp, stirring every 10 minutes.
  3. Let cool and store in air tight container.

Notes

Add some almonds to the mixture. Use 4 cups pecans and 2 cups almonds to change up the texture and flavor.

Add these to a salad with blue cheese and light vinaigrette!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Sweet & Spicy Pecans Recipe for Parties (2024)

FAQs

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.

How can you tell if a pecan is good? ›

They should have a firm, almost crunchy texture and a rich golden or amber color. On the flip side, bad pecans may show signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell, a shriveled appearance, or a soft and rubbery texture. And if you're daring enough to taste some, it's likely a bit bitter and honestly, gross.

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.

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.

How do you get seasoning to stick to pecans? ›

Beat egg white and water together in a large bowl; add pecans and stir to coat. Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, cloves, and nutmeg in a small bowl; sprinkle over moistened nuts. Spread nuts on the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven, stirring once or twice, until toasted and fragrant, about 30 minutes.

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 my toasted pecans taste 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.

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.

What are the benefits of eating pecans before bed? ›

These foods below will help you maximize your sleep. Try eating them at dinner or as an evening snack. Almonds, Pecans, & Walnuts – They contain Melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates sleep cycles.

Is it OK to eat raw pecans? ›

Pecans are a versatile tree nut. They can be eaten alone – raw, roasted, or flavored – as a healthy, delicious snack, or they can enhance almost any recipe as an ingredient. Go nuts and enjoy pecans!

Which state has the best pecans? ›

Beyond that, Georgia is the home of the National Nut Growers Association, which was established in Albany in 1901. Georgia pecans are the best you'll find anywhere.

Are 2 year old pecans good? ›

In-shell pecans can remain good for 4 months at 70°F, but can be stored successfully for 18 months at 32°F to 36°F. Storage life of in-shell nuts may extend to 5 years or more when stored at 0°F (table 1). Burlap bags are satisfactory for holding in-shell pecans if the bags are clean or have been sterilized.

Why do my pecans taste bad? ›

Store pecans in cool, dry places away from heat: Because pecans contain such a high amount of healthy, plant-based oils, they are prone to going rancid if they spend too long in warm temperatures.

What is the brown powder on pecans? ›

Kernel fuzz is not a disease and the brown material that is adhering to the kernel surface is not dangerous to eat. It only tastes dry and bitter. The fuzzy material on the kernel is actually part of the nut's inside shell packing material.

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.

Why are my roasted pecans bitter? ›

Pecans have two sources of bitterness -- naturally occurring tannins in the kernel and pieces of corky material from the inside of the nut which can adhere to the kernel. Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking.

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