Spiced Pecans make the perfect holiday treat! A delicious combination of warm winter spices with a hint of spicy cayenne, these pecans have it all. We love adding them to salads, charcuterie boards, or gift baskets… and they’re perfect for holiday snacking!
You know the delicious aroma that wafts through the air at sporting events and summer festivals? It’s the aroma of spiced nuts… and it’s completely intoxicating! I don’t know about you, but every time I smell them, I want them. So I figured it was probably time for me to make some of my own!
The thing I love about making my own is that I can make them exactly the way I want them… which in my case, means ALL the warm winter spices with the perfect balance of sweetness and just a touch of heat!
I used a combination of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, cloves, allspice, and… for the heat… a dash of cayenne pepper. I also knew that I wanted a crispy coating on them, which is where the egg whites come in. And, of course, I wanted them to have just the right amount of sweetness to balance it all out.
The end result is perfectly crunchy, sweet, spiced pecans with a tiny touch of heat at the end. Of course, all the spices can be adjusted to suit your tastes, and you can find everything you need to make them at your local Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market stores. Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market always have the variety I’m looking for, from spices to nuts to extracts and more!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Pecans – I used 1 pound of pecan halves (unsalted) which can be found in the baking aisle at your local grocery store. If using salted pecans, you can omit the salt in the recipe.
Egg whites – 2 egg whites, combined with water, form the crunchy coating on these pecans. Be sure to whisk until some bubbles appear!
Sugar – 1 cup granulated sugar adds sweetness to the pecans and acts as a carrier for the delicious spices.
Spices – This is where the magic happens! I used a combination of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, and cayenne pepper. I also added kosher salt to help bring out all the delicious flavors.
how to make spiced pecans
Whisk the egg whites & water. In a medium bowl, combine the egg whites and water. Whisk by hand until small bubbles form.
Toss the pecans in the egg white mixture. Add the pecans to the egg white mixture and toss until pecans are evenly coated.
Combine the sugar & spices. In a separate medium bowl, combine the sugar, salt and spices. Mix well.
Toss the pecans in the sugar mixture. Toss the pecans in the sugar mixture until evenly coated.
Bake. Spread coated pecans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 300° for 20 minutes, then stir and spread back into a single layer and return to the oven for 8-10 minutes.
Cool & break apart. Set pecans aside to cool, then break them apart and transfer to a storage container. Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe Variations
- Use any of your favorite spices
- Omit the cayenne pepper (or any of the spices)
- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the egg whites
- Add maple extract, almond extract, or chocolate extract
- Use more or less sugar to taste
- Use any of your favorite nuts OR use mixed nuts
Tips & Tricks
Fully coat the pecans. Be sure the pecans are fully coated at each step. The egg white mixture helps the sugar stick, and the sugar mixture is what gives them flavor!
Use parchment paper. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for no sticking and easy cleanup!
Spread in a single layer. Be sure to spread the pecans out in a single layer (as much as possible) for even baking.
Don’t over-bake. Watch closely near the end and remember that the coating won’t fully harden until after they cool.
how to use spiced pecans
On salads: Add them to any of your favorite winter salads, like this Cranberry Apple Pecan Salad, Apple Brie Salad, or Apple Wedge Salad!
On boards: Add them to holiday boards, like this Holiday Cheese Board or Charcuterie Board!
In appetizers: Use them in appetizers and dips like this Maple Pecan Cranberry Dip or Cranberry Pecan Baked Goat Cheese!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pecan halves unsalted
- 2 egg whites
- 2 teaspoons water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the egg whites and water. Whisk by hand until small bubbles form.
- Add the pecans to the egg white mixture and toss until pecans are evenly coated.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the sugar, salt and spices. Mix well.
- Toss the pecans in the sugar mixture until evenly coated.
- Spread coated pecans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 300° for 20 minutes, then stir and spread back into a single layer and return to the oven for 8-10 minutes.
- Set pecans aside to cool, then break them apart and transfer to a storage container. Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Tips & Tricks
Fully coat the pecans. Be sure the pecans are fully coated at each step. The egg white mixture helps the sugar stick, and the sugar mixture is what gives them flavor! Use parchment paper. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for no sticking and easy cleanup! Spread in a single layer. Be sure to spread the pecans out in a single layer (as much as possible) for even baking. Don’t over-bake. Watch closely near the end and remember that the coating won’t fully harden until after they cool.Recipe Variations
- Use any of your favorite spices
- Omit the cayenne pepper (or any of the spices)
- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the egg whites
- Add maple extract, almond extract, or chocolate extract
- Use more or less sugar to taste
- Use any of your favorite nuts OR use mixed nuts
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