Sweet and Spicy Pecans

Sweet and Spicy Pecans – seriously delicious!!! Made these for a holiday party and they were gone in a flash! Everyone asked for the recipe! Pecans, water, sugar, chili powder, cayenne pepper. I always double or triple the recipe and there are never any leftovers! Great for holiday gifts!

bowl of spiced pecans with text overlay

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Oven Roasted Pecans

These Sweet and Spicy Pecans are a family favorite! The pecans are soaked a simple sugar and then tossed in a combination of sugar, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. The result is a super delicious snack! I am making a batch for Christmas snacking and for New Year’s. These would be great for watching football games. Whip up a batch ASAP! You won’t be disappointed!

How to Make Sweet and Spicy Pecans

These spiced pecans are super easy to make with only a few ingredients. In a medium saucepan, combine water and sugar. Heat over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Add pecans and let them soak in the sugar mixture for 15 minutes. Drain pecans and place them in a large bowl. Add sugar, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Toss to coat. Place coated pecans in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, stirring midway through baking time. Remove from oven and spread out on a large piece of parchment paper or a silicone mat. Cool completely.

Helpful Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

  • You can use this recipe on any nuts.
    • walnuts
    • almonds
    • cashews
    • hazelnuts
    • peanuts
  • Feel free to mix up the spice mixture.
    • cardamom
    • cinnamon
    • kosher salt
    • nutmeg
    • cloves
  • Are Sweet and Spicy Pecans gluten-free? Yes! All of the ingredients are gluten-free.
    • The nuts are also dairy-free!
  • Store nuts in an airtight container at room temperature.
bowl of spiced pecans

How to Serve Sweet and Spicy Pecans

These nuts are one of my go-to gifts for the holidays. I package them in a mason jar with a pretty ribbon. The nuts are great chopped up and served over ice cream.  The contrast of the spicy kick with the sweet undertones adds a unique twist to your favorite treats. To showcase their sweet and spicy goodness, start by placing a bowl of them as an appetizer at your next gathering. They’ll disappear in no time!  For a more creative touch, add them on top of some goat cheese with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. SO good!

Looking for more spiced nuts recipes? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

Peppered Glazed Pecans

Peppered Glazed Pecans Recipe Peppered Glazed Pecans – you’ll want to double the recipe – they go fast! Pecans coated…

Rosemary Roasted Cashews

Rosemary Roasted Cashews Rosemary Roasted Cashews – so easy and CRAZY good! Only 5 ingredients – cashews, rosemary, cayenne, butter…

bowl of spiced pecans with text overlay

Sweet and Spicy Pecans

Yield: 2 cups
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Sweet & Spicy Pecans – seriously delicious!!! Made these for a holiday party and they were gone in a flash! Everyone asked for the recipe! Pecans, water, sugar, chili powder, cayenne pepper. I always double or triple the recipe and there are never any leftovers! Great for holiday gifts!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups pecan halves
  • 2 cups water
  • ¾ cup sugar divided
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • ¼ tsp ground red pepper

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine water and ½ cup sugar. Heat over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Add pecans. Let soak for 15 minutes.
  • Drain pecans and place in large bowl. Add remaining ¼ cup sugar, chili powder and ground red pepper. Toss to coat.
  • Place coated pecans on a large baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, stirring midway through baking time. Remove from oven and cool.

Notes:

  • You can use this recipe on any nuts.
  • Feel free to mix up the spice mixture. 
    • cardamom
    • cinnamon
    • kosher salt
    • nutmeg
    • cloves
  • Are Sweet and Spicy Pecans gluten-free? Yes! All of the ingredients are gluten-free.
    • The nuts are also dairy-free!
  • Store nuts in an airtight container.

Steph

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Comments

  1. These pecans are DEF my go- to when a guest at a party. I cut back a touch on the heat, so all can enjoy!
    People are amazed when I say I made them.

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