Spiced Pecans – Sweet & Spicy Pecans

If it is time to bring out the scarves and sweaters, it is also time to snack on these spiced pecans. These spicy candied pecans with all the flavors of fall and a hint of heat are just perfect for snacking and gifting. 

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We love nuts here. So, this post is dedicated to those kindred spirits who nurture the nutty goodness in them. While I love making them in the air fryer since it is so much more convenient, I see no reason why you cannot make them in the oven.

You have to absolutely make them because

1. These are amazing edible gifts during the holiday season.
2. You can make a large batch with very little effort.
3. This is naturally vegan, gluten-free and free from all sorts of chemicals.
4. It can be easily tweaked for the oven.
5. Last but not the least, there are myriad ways to use these roasted pecans.

Ingredients

In this recipe, we will be tossing raw pecans in a sweet and spicy mixture and then toasting them in the air fryer. So, it goes without saying that our main star ingredient is pecans. However, you can also use almonds or walnuts instead of pecans here.

1. Sweetener– I have used maple syrup. You can also use agave syrup instead. I won’t recommend using honey since there are some studies that say honey is not supposed to be heated up.
2. Oil– Good old nutty coconut oil is a winner always, right? This classic lends a beautiful flavor to these pecans.
3. Ground spices– Ground cinnamon and ginger feature in our aromatics among other things. Full details and instructions are included in the recipe card.
4. Salt- Yep. You read right. Salt is what makes this addictive snack complete in terms of taste and flavor. It rounds out the flavors wonderfully well and brings a sense of balance to the recipe.

Ways to use these sweet and spicy pecans

I agree- these are amazing in terms of a snack. But me being me, I always like to explore beyond the norm. 

1. Add these to your salads. It goes really well with those that have apples in them.
2. Grab a handful and top your smoothie bowls with them. Our sweet potato smoothie bowl with these as a topping is simply mind-blowing.
3. Use them as a nutrition booster in your overnight oats. 
4. Tip them in with your veggie-loaded pasta. The crunch and the sweet-spicy bite is a welcome addition.

Shelf life and storage

Allow the roasted nuts to cool down fully before storing them. Transfer to a clean, air-tight container and store at room temperature. Because we add a liquid sweetener, I will not recommend refrigerating them. The nuts tend to become very sticky when they come in contact with moisture.

These keep well at room temperature for 1 week. They have never lasted beyond that in my house. 

Variations

1. Use almonds in place of pecans to make spiced candied almonds. These are equally addictive and delicious.
2. Leave out all the other spices and use just cinnamon and ginger in the recipe. You will have maple cinnamon pecans then. This is a fall classic and so good with a glass of mulled cider.

Recipe Notes

1. Please do not add more sweetener than mentioned here. When you add too much liquid, the pecans take longer to roast. And they also do not crisp well.
2. Make sure to stop mid way while roasting and shake the air fryer basket well. This ensures even roasting. It also helps the nuts to not stick together.
3. If you are making this in the oven, spread out the pecans in a single layer. Ensure that the nuts do not overlap. Also, mix them up at half way mark while they are oven-roasted.
4. The nuts will be sticky to touch and soft immediately after roasting. They crisp up eventually as they cool down. 
5. Please do not roast them longer than mentioned here. 
6. I have used a 5 quart air fryer. My basket is big enough to accommodate all the nuts in a single batch. If your air fryer is smaller, please do this in two batches. This way, you will get evenly roasted crunchy nuts.

Method

Air fryer candied pecans

Preheat the air fryer at 350 F ( 180 C) for 4 minutes. While the air fryer heats up, combine the maple syrup, coconut oil, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, Garam Masala, cayenne, Himalayan salt and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Mix everything well with a spatula. 

Now, add the pecans to this and stir well to coat the pecans with the maple syrup mixture evenly. Place the maple and spice coated pecans in the air-fryer basket in a single layer. The nuts should not overlap with each other.

Roast them in the air-fryer at 350 F for 7 minutes. Stop mid way at the 3 minute mark and toss the nuts by shaking the air-fryer basket. Continue to roast for the remaining time. The nuts will look darker in color and smell fragrant when they are done roasting.

Once done, transfer the roasted pecans to a baking tray and let them cool fully. The nuts will be sticky to touch and slightly soft immediately after roasting. They will become crunchy and dry after cooling down fully.

That is all. Our air-fryer roasted pecans are ready. 

Oven-roasted sweet and spicy pecans

Preheat the oven at 300 F ( 150 C). Combine the maple syrup, coconut oil,  ground cinnamon, ground ginger, Garam Masala, cayenne, Himalayan salt and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Mix everything well with a spatula. 

Now, add the pecans to this and stir well to coat the pecans with the maple syrup mixture evenly. Place the maple and spice coated pecans in a shallow baking sheet. Spread them evenly into a single layer.

Roast them in the preheated oven at 300 F for 20 minutes. Now, stir them well and spread them out evenly again. Continue to bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the nuts turn darker and fragrant. 

Once done, allow the nuts to cool fully before storing them.

Recipe Card

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Spiced Pecans

These crunchy and addictive sweet and spicy pecans are just perfect for snacking and gifting. This recipe includes both air fryer and oven methods.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time7 minutes mins

Course: Snacks

Cuisine: International

Servings: 2 cups

Calories: 1645kcal

Equipment

• Air fryer

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp Maple syrup
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 3/4 tsp Cayenne
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp Garam Masala
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp Himalayan pink salt
• 2 cups Pecans 250 g in weight ( 8.8 oz)

Instructions

• Preheat the air fryer at 350 F ( 180 C) for 4 minutes.
• Combine the maple syrup, coconut oil, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, Garam Masala, cayenne, Himalayan salt and vanilla in a mixing bowl.
• Mix everything well with a spatula.
• Now, add the pecans to this and stir well to coat the pecans with the maple syrup mixture evenly.
• Place the maple and spice coated pecans in the air-fryer basket in a single layer.
• Roast them in the air-fryer at 350 F for 7 minutes.
• Stop mid way at the 3 minute mark and toss the nuts by shaking the air-fryer basket.
• Continue to roast for the remaining time.
• The nuts will look darker in color and smell fragrant when they are done roasting.
• Once done, transfer the roasted pecans to a baking tray and let them cool fully.

Notes

1. Please do not add more sweetener than mentioned here. When you add too much liquid, the pecans take longer to roast. And they also do not crisp well.
2. Make sure to stop mid way while roasting and shake the air fryer basket well. This ensures even roasting. It also helps the nuts to not stick together.
3. If you are making this in the oven, spread out the pecans in a single layer. Ensure that the nuts do not overlap. Also, mix them up at half way mark while they are oven-roasted.
4. The nuts will be sticky to touch and soft immediately after roasting. They crisp up and dry as they cool down. 
5. Please do not roast them longer than mentioned here. 
6. I have used a 5 quart air fryer. My basket is big enough to accommodate all the nuts in a single batch. If your air fryer is smaller, please do this in two batches. This way, you will get evenly roasted crunchy nuts.

For Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes

Instant Pot timings may vary based on your geographic location. Air fryer settings and timings may vary based on the capacity and the model of the Air fryer.

Disclaimer

Nutrition values are provided here as a courtesy and are only a rough guide. Please consult a health care provider if you have any concerns.

Nutrition

Calories: 1645kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 147g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 43g | Monounsaturated Fat: 81g | Sodium: 2334mg | Potassium: 1046mg | Fiber: 21g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 738IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 241mg | Iron: 6mg

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