How to Toast Pecans

Take ordinary pecans to extraordinary. Toasted pecans are the best way to add extra flavor for healthy snacking or holiday baking.  Learn how to toast pecans to add to all your favorite recipes.

Whether we are eating  Pecan Grilled Chicken Salad, Sweet Potato Bread Pudding, Spicy Ranch Goldfish Mix or Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars……we like our pecans toasted!

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Toasted Pecans

I have something really easy yet delicious for you today!  Holiday baking is just around the corner and you may find recipes that require toasted pecans.  

Take ordinary pecans to extraordinary and learn how to toast pecans. Enhance the flavor of pecans by toasting them in the oven. Toasted pecans are a wonderful addition to salads, desserts, oatmeal, snack mixes and more! I even like to add a sprinkle of cinnamon for Cinnamon Toasted Pecans. 

If you’ve never toasted your pecans, you’re in for a treat!  They fill your home with the most delicious aroma and baking them, adds a delightful bit of crunchiness to them.

Why Toast Pecans?

Toasting pecans (or any nuts) intensifies the flavor so much that you can often cut down on the amount of pecans you use in a recipe.  The oils are activated and the nut becomes crisp. By toasting nuts, they stay crisp whether buried in baked goods or on top of a salad.

Toasting will bring out more caramel and earthiness, while bitter and sour flavors are toned down.

Toasting nuts also gives them a prettier appearance, which is nice when you are using them for a topping or in a bowl for snacking. 

How To Toast Pecans

(full printable recipe at end of post)

Toasted pecans are really super easy to make.

Technically, you can just pop them in the oven to toast them……..but you know the saying “everything’s better with a little butter“?  Well, that certainly applies here!

You can melt a little butter and pour over pecans, or sometimes I use spray butter.  Either way, coat them in butter and give them a good stir to coat. 

If you want, they are also delicious with a little sprinkle of cinnamon.  Just add the cinnamon after the butter and give them another stir.

Place the buttered pecans on a parchment lined baking pan and pop them in the oven. The nuts are toasted when they’re evenly brown and have an aroma.

Then, my friends, you have turned ordinary pecans into extraordinary pecans!!  Delicious right out of the bowl or in your favorite recipes!

FAQ About Toasted Pecans

How long do toasted pecans keep? The toasted pecans are going to be at their best if used immediately. The intense toasted flavor diminishes with time. But, you can store toasted pecans in a zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I freeze toasted pecans? Yes, you can freeze them! You can toast a large batch at a time (great idea if you find them on sale), let the nuts cool completely, then bag them in small portions and store in the freezer. FIY:  nuts thaw out pretty quickly, so they’re pretty much ready to use right out of the freezer.

Do toasted pecans go bad?  Yes! They can/will go rancid. Extend their life bystoring them in an air-tight container or zip-top bags, in a cool dark spot, preferably in the refrigerator or freezer.

Can you toast pecans on the stovetop? Yes, you can. Simply heat a dry skillet until hot (cast iron skillet works great for this), add the nuts and spread out in a single layer. Stir frequently to keep the nuts from turning too brown. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes. The nuts are done when their color has deepened and you can smell their aroma.

Can you toast pecans in the microwave? Yes, you can use the microwave for smaller batches. Place nuts on a microwave-safe dish in a single layer. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted, stopping to stir twice. Watch carefully to avoid burning the nuts. Adjust the time, depending on your microwave’s wattage and the amount of nuts you are toasting.

Go toast your pecans!! Now that you’ve learned how to toast pecans, you can liven up baked goods, add crunch to your meat and cheese board, and salads, and add some healthy fats to your trail mix or snacks!

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just in case you want to print how to toast pecans……..you can print this recipe

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How to Toast Pecans

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

Print

Ordinary pecans go to extraordinary when toasted for extra flavor

Ingredients

• 1 cup pecans (chopped or whole)
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted (or 5-6 sprays of spray butter)
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° and line baking sheet with parchment paper
2. Place pecans in small bowl and toss with butter until even coated. Add cinnamon, if desired and stir again until well distributed
3. Bake in center of oven for 8-10 minutes. Shake the pan occasionally or stir, to ensure the nuts toast evenly.
4. The nuts are done when their color has deepened and you can smell their aroma. Cool before using or storing.

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