How to Toast Pecans

You can taste the difference with toasted pecans! Heating nuts makes them crunchier and enhances their nutty flavor. Here’s how to toast pecans: two ways.

If you’ve ever made toasted pecans, you know: the aroma alone will cause your family, friends, and neighbors come flocking! Why toast nuts? It does two things: it makes the nuts crunchier, and enhances their nutty flavor. Try a toasted nut vs a raw one, and you can absolutely tell the difference! Toasted pecans are perfect for garnishing recipes of all kinds: soups, roasted vegetables, oatmeal, pancakes, and even desserts! It’s quick to whip up a batch: and you can make them on demand. Here’s how to make toasted pecans: two ways!

Toasted pecans: on the stove

Make toasted pecans on the stove when you have a small quantity of nuts and want to make them quickly.

• Pros: This method is so fast: it takes only 5 minutes!
• Drawbacks: Toasting nuts on the stovetop can cook unevenly. You can also only fit about 1 cup in a skillet.
• Basic stove method (go to recipe): Place the nuts in a dry skillet (don’t add oil!). Heat over medium heat for about 4 to 5 minutes, until golden and fragrant. Do not leave the stove because the nuts can burn very easily. We know from experience!

How to toast pecans: in the oven

Make toasted pecans in the oven when you have time to preheat the oven! This method is also nice for quantities of pecans over 1 cup.

• Advantages: This method cooks the nuts more evenly than the stovetop method, and you can cook lots of nuts at once.
• Drawbacks: You’ll need to wait for the oven to preheat: about 10 to 15 minutes!
• Basic oven method (go to recipe): Preheat to 350 degrees and bake the nuts on a baking sheet about 7 to 8 minutes, until golden and fragrant. Again, don’t leave the oven because they can burn easily.

Ways to use toasted pecans

The best part: how to cook with toasted pecans! Pecans are so versatile: add a handful to amp up a salad, roasted vegetables, or a grain bowl. Or, use them on sweet recipes like oatmeal, pancakes, or waffles…even desserts! (Or, go more decadent with Candied Pecans!) Here are some ideas on where to start:

• Salad: Add a sprinkle on Spinach Apple Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad, Blackberry Salad, Blueberry Salad, Brussels Sprout Salad, or Lentil Salad.
• Roasted or Sauteed Veggies: Use as a topping for Lemony Green Beans or Roasted Brussels Sprouts to add protein and crunch
• Oatmeal: Throw a handful onto Best Oatmeal or Instant Pot Oatmeal.
• Pancakes or Waffles: Top a stack of Banana Pancakes, Greek Yogurt Pancakes or Blueberry Waffles.
• Desserts: They’re great over ice cream or with berries and whipped cream.

Storage info

Once you’ve got those toasted pecans (and your kitchen smells amazing), you can use them immediately! Here’s how to store leftovers, if you have them:

• Cool fully and place in a sealed container. We use a small glass container with lid.
• Store at room temp for 1 week OR
• Store refrigerated for 2 months.
• Freeze to extend the life even further, up to 6 months or more.

Another use for leftover toasted nuts? Make Homemade Nut Butter!

Pecan fun facts!

The pecan is a mighty little nut! Here are a few things that might inspire you to make more pecan recipes. Pecans are (source):

• Nutrient dense. Pecans have lots of plant based protein and fiber (good for staying full). They’re among the highest in “good” monounsaturated fats, and have flavonoids and essential minerals (copper, manganese and zinc).
• Grown in America. Of all the major tree nuts eaten in the US, pecans are the only ones indigenous to America! They were originally grown wild and enjoyed by Native Americans. Now they’re harvested in over a dozen Southern states.

Print

More toasted recipes!

So many foods taste better toasted! Here are all our our methods on how to toast nuts and seeds (and even bread):

• How to Toast Pine Nuts
• How to Toast Almonds
• How to Toast Walnuts
• How to Toast Sesame Seeds
• How to Toast Coconut
• How to Toast a Baguette (or Garlic Toast, or Cheese Toast, or Crostini…)