Zesty Candied Pecans: A Simple Recipe for the Whole Family

# Sweet and Spicy Pecans · Easy Family Recipes

These **Sweet and Spicy Pecans** are ideal for snacking or enhancing the texture and flavor of various recipes! The pecans are coated in butter and sweet spices, then glazed with a blend of maple, orange, and brown sugar.

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

They are rich and buttery, infused with maple and orange essence, along with an array of sweet and spicy seasonings.

If you can resist munching on them directly from the pan, they make a fantastic complement to mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, baked brie, cereal, or oatmeal. Their warm, distinctive flavor elevates any dish!

## Why I ADORE this recipe!

– **Super easy** – You only need a handful of basic ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time to create these sweet and spicy pecans.
– **One-pot recipe** – No need for roasting! These pecans come together **QUICKLY** in just one skillet.
– **Perfect flavor balance** – The nuts achieve a delightful blend of sweetness and spice… Additionally, feel free to tweak the seasonings to your liking!
– **Versatile!** – Enjoy these spicy pecans as a snack, toss them into a salad, adorn mashed potatoes or sweet potato casseroles, sprinkle over baked brie, mix into roasted veggies, or incorporate them into cereal or oatmeal… The possibilities are limitless!

## Recipe Highlights

This spicy candied pecans recipe is as straightforward as it sounds! With just 10 minutes of prep and a few basic ingredients, you can whip up a holiday treat, quick snack, or salad enhancer.

In this section, I will share a few tips and tricks that I use to ensure the best and most delicious outcome when making sweet and spicy pecans.

Be sure to check the bottom for the FULL recipe card.

## Ingredients + Substitutions

– **Pecans** – You’ll need 16 ounces, which is about 4 cups, of pecans (preferably halves). Alternative nuts like walnuts or cashews can also work.
– **Butter** – Either salted or unsalted butter can be used for coating the pecans for added flavor.
– **Seasonings** – A mix of salt, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper is incorporated.
– **Brown Sugar** – Light brown sugar is ideal, although dark brown sugar is acceptable as well.
– **Orange Juice** – The bright, citrusy taste of orange beautifully complements the sweet and spicy elements in this recipe.
– **Maple Syrup** – Contributes an additional layer of warm sweetness.

Make sure to refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete quantities and ingredients list.

## Recipe Variations

If you enjoy this recipe as much as we do and want to explore different variations, these handy tips will help you mix things up!

– **Roasted Spicy Pecans** – Skip the skillet method and roast the pecans in the oven instead. Coat the pecan halves in melted butter, spices, brown sugar, and maple syrup, then bake until golden and caramelized.
– **Sweet Chili Pecans** – Consider adding a dash of chili powder for a savory kick.
– **Sweet and Spicy Nuts** – While this recipe shines with pecans, it can be adapted for any combination of sweet and spicy nuts. Try it with walnuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts — the options are endless.

## Recipe Steps

I’ll outline a few key steps for the recipe here, but the detailed instructions for making these spicy sweet pecans can be found in the recipe card below.

Step 1 – Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, and then add the pecans, stirring until they become toasty and fragrant, taking care not to overcook them.

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

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

For visual instructions, refer to the accompanying images.

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

Recipe Tips

1. Cook on medium heat – It might be tempting to increase the heat to speed things up, but high temperatures can lead to burning the pecans or the sugar mixture. For the best outcome, keep the heat at medium.
2. Allow the mixture to thicken – Ensure that the sugar, orange juice, and maple syrup mixture has ample time to thicken on the stove so that it reaches the perfect texture when the pecans cool.
3. Cool before serving – It’s important to cool the pecans to room temperature before serving so that the “candy” mixture has time to harden. Spread the pecans in a single layer either on parchment paper or a baking sheet.

Recipe Short Cuts

If you’re in a hurry to prepare this recipe, here are some tips to help streamline the process!

• Chill in the fridge – If you’re eager to start snacking, you can quicken the cooling process by placing the baking sheet in the fridge!
• Pre-mix the spices – If you frequently make this recipe, consider preparing your spice mixture ahead of time in larger quantities, so it’s always ready for use!

Freezer Meal Instructions

Transforming these spicy pecans into a freezer-friendly snack is easy! Just follow the simple steps below, and you can store this recipe for up to six months in the freezer.

How to Freeze Sweet and Spicy Pecans

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

How to Serve Sweet and Spicy Pecans

This flavorful snack is delightful on its own but can also enhance various dishes! Here are a few serving ideas to consider:

Serving Ideas

• Baked Brie in Pie Crust – Elevate this indulgent appetizer by adding a layer of sweet and spicy pecans over melty brie cheese wrapped in a flaky pie crust.
• Kale Salad – Introduce a satisfying crunch to a kale salad tossed with parmesan cheese and a lemon vinaigrette.
• Strawberry Spinach Salad – Infuse a lovely flavor layer into your fresh strawberry spinach salad, which includes sliced strawberries, onions, and a delectable poppy seed dressing.
• Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Enhance the creamy texture of fluffy mashed sweet potatoes with these pecans. The dish features buttery, sour cream-infused sweet potatoes topped with parmesan and chives.
• Maple Glazed Carrots – Complement the maple notes in your pecans by mixing them with sweet maple glazed carrots, seasoned warmly and smooth in texture.

You might even consider adding them to cereal, oatmeal, or as a delightful topping for pancakes!

Spicy Candied Pecans Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover pecans from this recipe, consider yourself fortunate! They store well and make for a delicious snack at any time.

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

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

Recipe FAQs

The nuts will naturally become softer during cooking as they absorb the flavors from the spices and sugar mix. However, as the sugary coating cools, it hardens, providing a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the nuts’ tenderness.

Candied pecans might appear sticky immediately after cooking or even for a short period afterward. Rest assured, the sugar mixture will solidify as it cools, resulting in a less sticky, crunchy treat.