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Sweet and Spicy Pecans Recipe

4.7 from 122 reviews

Sweet and Spicy Pecans are a perfect snack or topping that combines a delicious balance of sweetness and heat. Coated with a flavorful blend of cinnamon, cumin, cayenne pepper, and sweetened with brown sugar, orange juice, and maple syrup, these pecans are toasted to perfection in a skillet for a crunchy and aromatic treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces pecan halves (about 4 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (depending on desired heat level)
  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Heat the skillet and toast pecans: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter in the skillet and then stir in the pecans. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the pecan edges start to darken and you can smell a toasty aroma.
  2. Add the spices: Stir in the salt, cinnamon, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Mix until the pecans are evenly coated with the spices.
  3. Add sweeteners and simmer: Pour in the brown sugar, orange juice, and maple syrup. Stir until the brown sugar dissolves completely. Continue stirring as the mixture begins to simmer, cooking for another 3-5 minutes. Stir regularly until the sugar mixture thickens and coats all the pecans thoroughly.
  4. Cool and store: Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the pecans onto a sheet of parchment paper. Spread them out with a fork to separate and allow them to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, store pecans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Notes

  • Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity based on your preferred spice level.
  • Ensure to stir regularly while cooking to prevent burning and promote even coating.
  • Allow pecans to cool completely to crisp up properly before storing.
  • These pecans make a great snack or topping for salads, oatmeal, or desserts.
  • Use parchment paper or a non-stick surface to cool pecans for easy cleanup.

Keywords: sweet and spicy pecans, glazed pecans, spiced nuts, snack recipe, candied pecans, maple syrup pecans, pecan snack