How To Toast Pecans Perfectly
Making perfect, buttery, toasted pecans is easier than you think. Use this simple and easy to technique to toast pecans or any variety of nuts, to add flavor and texture to all your favorite recipes. Think of all the great pecan pies!
Toasted Pecans
There are all kinds of nuts out there, myself included LOL, but in my house, pecans are the favorite. Give me a handful of perfectly toasted pecans to snack on and I am good to go.
While you can certainly eat them raw, I love toasting nuts. It brings out their natural flavor more and adds some extra crunch.
You can purchase them already toasted, but I like to do it myself. And with this recipe you can do it in bulk. Which is perfect for any holiday baking you have coming up.
This recipe and technique is super simple, you can do it while working on other things, and you know exactly what you are adding to them. The store-bought ones tend to have weird oils and extra ingredients that can cover up the flavor of the nuts.
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Ingredients Needed
Pecans – Growing up in the South, pecans are easy to find. If you can’t find local ones, I like to buy in bulk at Costco or the market. I tend to use the pecan halves as you can use them in a bunch of recipes or chop if you need smaller pieces.
Butter – Use high quality unsalted butter. I add salt to mine and like to control the amount. If you don’t want to use butter, I suggest avocado or coconut oil. They are neutral in flavor.
Salt – I use Kosher salt but feel free to leave it out or use your favorite sea salt.
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How to Toast Pecans in the Oven
First: Preheat oven to 275F. Toss pecans with melted butter.
Second: Spread evenly in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 30 – 45 minutes stirring every 10-15 minutes to ensure even baking. When the nuts are lightly browned and fragrant (you can smell them) remove the pan from the oven.
Third: Take nuts and place them on a paper towel lined plate or cool baking sheet to remove any excess butter. Sprinkle with salt to taste. When completely cooled, store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Uses for Toasted Pecans
- Healthy Snack on the Go
- Salad/Soup Toppings
- Add to a Cheese Board
- Lunchbox Snack
- Decorate Cakes and Cupcakes
- Hostess Gifts/Teacher Gifts
- Add to Pies and Cookies
- Add crunch to Banana Bread (my fave use!)
- Crush/Chop and coat Cheese Balls
Can I toast pecans in a pan?
Yes, just make sure the pan is a heavy-bottomed dry skillet and use a medium to low heat to avoid hot spots that can burn the nut.
Stir often until the nuts are golden brown and you can smell them.
Can I toast pecans in the microwave?
If you don’t feel like heating up the oven or need to toast a small batch of nuts, try roasting them in the microwave. Lightly oil them (1/2 teaspoon per 1 cup of nuts) and spread them out on a microwave safe plate.
Microwave at 1 minute intervals (30 seconds if roasting small sized nuts) until golden brown, stirring in between intervals.
Tapas Tips & Tricks
- Start low! Keep the oven temperature below 300F so you don’t cook the nuts too fast. I prefer 250F or 275F but you might want to go even lower if the nut is smaller like a sunflower seed.
- Lowering the temperature allows the nuts to toast evenly and all the way through. The only trade off is more time. But you get something in return for your patience, more flavor.
- Go slow! Proper toasting takes time. Start with 10-minute increments and see how they do. Small seeds take only a few minutes but larger nuts take time. For a sunflower seed, I might go for 20 minutes stirring in 5-minute increments.
- Letting the nuts toast slowly allows more time for the natural oils from the nuts to come out.
- Get salty! Salt them while they are hot! We want the salt to stick to the nuts, not fall off when you store them.
Variations
- Try compound butters or add some with herbs and spices.
- Add to your favorite trail mix.
- Different seasonings and spices can add more flavor from sweet to spicy.
- Mix them in salads and desserts for more crunch and flavor.
*Kitchen Hack*
I make small foil baking trays so I can remove the smaller nuts and leave the larger ones in longer without having to remove the whole tray.
Should you toast pecans before using in baking recipes?
Toasting brings out the nutty flavor so roasting your nuts will only enhance the flavor of your baked goods. It’s best to roast the nuts whole or in halves and then chop before using.
Chopping beforehand will lead to small pieces that will easily burn.
Do I need to keep them in the fridge?
Once they are toasted, I like to keep mine in the fridge because they last longer. If you add butter or oil to them, they oils can turn off if left out at room temperature a long time.
How long do they last?
They will last for one month in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer. If I have a large batch they might last 6 months.
If I was to keep them that long I would use a vacuum food bag system to remove the air. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container so they don’t absorb other odors.
With these tips, you will have perfectly toasted pecans or other nuts that will liven up a school lunchbox, add crunch to your cheese board, add texture to your baked goods, and add some healthy fats to your trail mix and snack bags!
Is it better to toast pecans whole or in pieces?
It doesn’t really matter what the size of the pecans are, you just need to adjust the cooking time. Pieces and pecan halves are smaller in size so they will toast faster. Sometimes in half the original time.
Favorite Tools
- This is one Baking Sheet I recommend.
- I use a Silicone Baking Sheet if I am out of parchment paper.
- These Silicone Parchment Sheets are amazing. They are not on a roll and lie flat right from the get-go. Perfectly sized for my pan. No cutting!
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!
Now that you know how to perfectly roast nuts, what will you be putting these pecans in? Check out all my nut recipes!
Perfectly Toasted Pecans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups raw pecans or other nuts about 1 pound
- 1/2 cup butter I use sweet cream Kerrygold, unsalted, organic
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- Melt butter.
- Toss pecans with the butter until evenly coated.
- Place in an oven preheated to 275F.
- Toast for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- When done, place nuts on a cooling rack covered with paper towels.
- Salt the toasted pecans to your liking.
- Store in an airtight container when cool.
- You can even freeze these for later use!
Video
Notes
- Start low! Keep the oven temperature below 300F so you don’t cook the nuts too fast. I prefer 250F or 275F but you might want to go even lower if the nut is smaller like a sunflower seed.
- Lowering the temperature allows the nuts to toast evenly and all the way through. The only trade off is more time. But you get something in return for your patience, more flavor.
- Go slow! Proper toasting takes time. Start with 10-minute increments and see how they do. Small seeds take only a few minutes but larger nuts take time. For a sunflower seed, I might go for 20 minutes stirring in 5-minute increments.
- Letting the nuts toast slowly allows more time for the natural oils from the nuts to come out.
- Get salty! Salt them while they are hot! We want the salt to stick to the nuts, not fall off when you store them.
Nutrition
{Originally Posted 4/29/2015 – photos and notes updated 10/10/24}
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I’ve never roasted pecans before. I made them today for bunko night and I had so many compliments on them. They were awesome. Thanks for the tips and the recipe.
I am so glad you liked them! I roast mine in big batches to save time. And using roasted nuts in pies and cookies really brings out the nutty flavor.
Have you tried making pecan butter with these after roasting.
I have not but I bet it will be delicious!!
Thanks for the thorough explanation and tips! This was just what I needed for topping my salads!
I’ve finally bookmarked this recipe because it’s my go-to whenever I toast pecans. It’s a great recipe with your instructions.
Excellent recipe. I LOVE how buttery it is. I have not found a better recipe for roasting pecans! So addicting. Thank you!!!
I am so glad you like them!
Thank you for your sharing! I love your low temperature recipe!
Have you ever added cinnamon? I’m looking for a healthy alternative to cinnamon sugared pecans and wondering if just replacing the salt in these with cinnamon would do the trick?
I haven’t unless I am using a sugary coating but I don’t see why it won’t work as the cinnamon would be able to stick with the help of the butter. I would start out with 1-2 teaspoons as not to overpower them. Enjoy! Let me know how they turn out!
They are great. Thanks for sharing.
So glad you liked them!
Thank you so much for this amazing recipe! So easy to make and tasted really delicious! Highly recommended, will surely have this again!
Super amazing!
Just made these nuts! Delicious. Couldn’t even wait until they cooled. Have tried numerous recipes to toast nuts. This is bar far the best!
Great recipe. Especially for a cold day, the low temp for longer time warms my kitchen longer. I tossed in some “Everything” seasoning. Delicious. I also appreciate the storage suggestions.
Can you roast black walnuts they are all in small pieces
You absolutely can. The total time for toasting will be shortened so I would check on them every few minutes to make sure they don’t burn.
Awesome Recipe!! I didn’t find your recipe until after I burned mine from another recipe on You Tube. =( it said to go with 350 degrees for 20 minutes.. I like your recipe better.. Lower temp so they don’t burn..
I have burned so many nuts in my life I should be banned from buying them LOL. Low and slow is the way to go definitely. I am so glad you liked it. I keep a big batch in my fridge and they are perfect for tossing into pies and salads.
My question is about convection ovens cooks hotter and faster. They recommend to cook 25 degrees lower but you say not to cook lower than 200 so would it be best to cook less time or at 200.
I made this and added brown sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice with the salt and topped a roasted root
vegetable dish with them for Thanksgiving. Delicious!
I’ve toasted pecans for years (and burned plenty?) but your suggestions were worth reading and following. And so glad I did! Made them this morning for Thanksgiving day snack – can’t keep hubby out of them LoL
Delicious! I put them in a ziplock and take on long road trips, set out for company and chopped into smaller pieces for sprinkling on salads or ice cream. Pecans are delicious without butter, but butter makes everything better.
Thank you for your tips. Works great except I found the salt wouldn’t quite stick. I thought I’d share my trick. Hopefully this hasn’t been commented on already. I put a 1/4 cup water and about a tsp of salt, shook it well and gave about 4 liberal sprays to a regular cookie sheet sized pan of roasted nuts. Worked super well!
This is a great recipe but I used 8 cups pecans and 1/2 Cup butter. (Twice the amount of nuts) I didn’t need to drain on paper towels. Everything else was the same…twice the nuts.
I toasted for 45 minutes at 250. Burnt taste. Should have took them out at 15 minutes when they smelled good. Wasted a whole bag of pecans! 45 minutes was way too long. Did everyone else cook that long?
I’m sorry yours turned out with a burnt taste. Have you checked the temperature of your oven. I find that some run hot and some run colder than the set temperature. I have been “burned” by this in the past. My pecans start to smell fragrant at around 30 minutes but the middles are still raw. Make sure you are using full halves as pieces will burn quicker too.
I wonder how they would be with coconut oil instead of butter
I have made them with half and half and they turned out great!
Love this recipe! The family eats them up quick! 🙂
These are amazing!!!!
Perfect pecans every time. Just the right amount of butter and salt.
I have loved and craved toasted salted pecans for more years than a lot of you’ve been alive. Growing up, I always filched the pecans from the bowl of mixed nuts my mom bought at Christmas time. I have been looking for them for years, and have settled for buying them at Trader Joe’s. They’re expensive, and too salty for my tastes, but the best I could find. This blows them out of the water, and it’s so easy!Lower heat is definitely the trick, And I use a bit less butter than the recipe calls for. Yum!
Hi, you have come up with a great idea, and I will surely try it. But, here is a question, won’t pecans go soggy when refrigerated for a longer time? Please guide… Also, I love the cooking tools you have discussed in your article, I will consider them for my next cooking activity.
Thanks for the good read!
I only keep a small batch in the refrigerator and they don’t usually last longer than two weeks because I snack on them.
I loved this recipe, and I would give it a high rating.
This is absolutely the best way to roast nuts ever! Genius! I have made them 5 times in two months and now made two batches – one pecans and one mixed with Marcona almonds mixed in) for Super Bowl. Thanks for the recipe.
thank you so much!
So glad to have found this recipe! I recently used these roasted, salted pecans in a butter pecan cupcake recipe & they really made the difference in the flavor. I’ve since used them in cookies & I make sure to freeze the leftover pecans for later use. I do have to say they don’t spend a lot of time in the freezer before they are all gone! This recipe is definitely a keeper! Thank you!
Thank you so much! I am going to have to try that cupcake recipe for sure! Mine don’t last long either:)
Delicious!!! I have made them several times, given a a hostess gist, and shared the recipe with several people. This is a simple keeper!!!
Thank you so much!
I LOVE these nuts!!! Thank you for my new addiction lol I am going to a special, one time a year sale next weekend to get real Georgia Pecans specially to have for this recipe I’ve actually got some in the oven now!
Making them w butter I made
Oh I would love to hear how they turn out. I have never made my own butter but I use Kerrygold most of the time. Their sweet cream, grass fed butter is so yummy!
Make sure you stock up!! https://millicanpecan.com?p=HkH1ygzQr
Sooo good…can’t stop eating them!
I am so thrilled that I finally found this recipe…again! I had used it once and then for some reason couldn’t find it again so I used one that cooked at a higher temperature. They were good, but nothing to compare to these! And some of the pecans got too brown. I now have this recipe pinned, and also sent to my daughter just in case! Will make getting back on my low carb eating so much easier! Only downside…I cannot stop eating them!
I am so glad that you like them! I keep a fridge stocked with them too! Just got back from South GA and looking forward to roasting a few batches for my healthy eating plan for January!
Can this recipe be converted for a slow cooker?
I personally have not tried it in the slow cooker because the surface can hold heat really well and can create “hot spots” where the nuts can burn if you are not stirring them quite often. I have only tried nuts that are seasoned or coated but these coatings create a layer around the nut to keep them from scorching or burning as quickly. If I can find the right technique I will let you you know.
I made these and gave them as gifts. I had only raves about them. They were so good I hated to give them away. My husband is requesting them ASAP.
I am so glad you like them. I know the gift recipients will enjoy them too. Guess you will have ot make a double batch next time:)
I do the sugar and cinnamon glazed pecans every year for Christmas. These have been added to my list this year! So easy and just perfect! Delicious when you want salty instead of sweet and much healthier than chips! My grandmother used to do them in her cast iron frying pan but they were easy to burn. This method is so easy, not as time consuming (just set your timer), and come out perfect every time. The kosher salt makes a difference. Thank you!
I am the same way! I love to toast mine on a Sunday while I am already in the kitchen prepping for other things and just have them going in the background with a timer set. Happy holidays!
This recipe sounds delicious!! I can’t wait to try it. I would like to use them as a topping on a casserole I’m making. Should I put them on the casserole at the beginning of cooking the casserole or near the end? The casserole bakes for 45 minutes. I don’t want to burn the pecans since they’ve already been toasted! Thanks for any help and for this recipe!
I would definitely put these on during the last 5 minutes of baking as they are already toasted and can become burnt and taste bitter if over done.
Love this post on my beloved pecan! These are so delicious!
I never thought to toast pecans in the microwave but will definitely try it and I love your tip to toast them as soon as you get them home. time saver for sure!
I’ve got your recipe in the oven right now! Yes, at 5:00am. My Uncle has pecan trees and gave me bags of free pecans. I know, lucky me, right? I looked at your recipe and thought… hey this person knows what they’re doing. They are in the oven as we speak & I cannot wait to get my greedy little hands on them. I was looking at Amazon Prime in the midst of not being able to sleep tonight and was about to buy my favorite mixed nuts (Nut Harvest Mixed Nuts) and realized I like that blend so much because the pecans are cooked just right and roasted perfectly, giving them a gentle airy light buttery texture topped with a gracious amount of salt. These nuts are like $2 for a little snack size bag but I got a good pound going in the oven and i bet yours taste just like the ones i think are good. =)
I can’t wait to hear how they turn out! I am so jealous of getting free pecans!
I only had a cup of pecan pieces and was wanting roasted pecans for salads. Turned out perfectly! Had 2 scoops after my salad and cleaning up kitchen. Already put pecans on my grocery list….so Delicious! This recipe is definitely a keeper! Thank!
How long would you roast for pecan pieces instead of halves? Thanks!!!
I would start with 7-10 min time frames that way you can stir them more often and last time I toasted pieces I only cooked a total time of 30 minutes but this depends entirely on how small the pieces are. Some bags have more of 1/4 size pieces and fewer small ones and some bags are mostly small with a few larger ones. Just start slow and check often. Thank you!
I love roasted pecans I will try it. Do you have it in honey roasted also Thank you.
Not yet but they are on my list! I think I have held off because I love them so much I can’t stop eating them! LOL
Trust me, one batch will not be enough! These are so yummy! On my second batch, I used 5 lbs of pecans for the same amount of butter (1 stick), and I still got nice coverage on the pecans. I’ve been making these as gifts, too.
These pecans are absolutely fabulous and addictive!!!!!
Great low carb snack/treat
Thank you! I learned quickly to make 2 or three batches when pecans are on sale and just keep them in my freezer as I use them. Enjoy and thanks for reading!
I was planning a Sunday Brunch with family and looking at a pecan coffee cake that I wanted to bake. I’ve never toasted my own pecans so I looked for a site that had some easy instructions. Your was easy to follow and produced a crunchy treat that was almost candylike in my coffee cake! Thanks for a easy and delicious recipe. P.S. they’re great for snacking too!!
Very nice. Better than others I’ve tried. I’m done looking for others.
great instructions!
Did it today. OMG Perfect!! Thank You!!
hello, i am Fiona, a student from Inti International college Penang, currently undertaking the subject magazine design and i am hoping to use your image in my assignment. I am here to ask permission to use your image in my assignment. I hope for a favorable reply.
Just popped back over to say how much we LOVE these. We keep them on hand to use as a snack and to top oatmeal or sweet potatoes~~~ They are so dang good!
Great technique!!! I add 2 tablespoons of Cajun Chef Hot Sauce (which is flavorful rather then hot) to the melted butter.
One of my favorite ways to treat puck-cohns. THANKS!!!
I think I need to make these asap! I could snack on these all day!
After reading this I have to go out and get some pecans for roasting! love your tips and tricks, thank you!
Came back to tell you that this is my “go-to” recipe for toasting pecans. The flavor really comes out of the pecans, and I’ve been added them to my salads. Perfect amount of texture too!
I love pecans as a snack. This is how my mom does almonds. Then she tops them on salads. I’d use your pecans on salads too!
Are you kidding me with this recipe?! I can’t even believe how much of my life I’ve wasted not knowing how to do this!! What a phenomenal recipe! First of all, so easy! Secondly, my house smelled AMAZING. And thirdly, they taste incredible!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Thank you! I am so glad that you liked them!!
Thanks for the tips! I use coconut oil (ghee works well, too) and finely ground sea salt. Great flavor for pecans and cashews.
Makes perfect
Toasted pecans
The closest recipe I have found to my grandmother’s recipe I had lost. Slow baking is the main key!
Thank you! This made my day!!
so glad you liked them!
Finally perfect pecans!!! Thank you soooooo much!
Thank you!
Loved all the tips
So glad you liked them!
was delish! thanks for the tips
This is a great, wonderful recipe!! I thought roasting pecans would be difficult. I’m so glad I found this recipe and article. My new favorite smell is roasted pecans!!
Thank you! I am so glad you like them! I love the smell too. This and the smell of garlic and olive oil simmering:)
This is a great, wonderful recipe!! I thought roasting pecans would be difficult. I’m so glad I found this recipe and article. My new favorite smell is roasted pecans!!
Love all the tips & extra info & the pecans are the best
It is definitely a 5 star recipe !
Thank you so much!!
I am so glad! Thank you for this amazing comment! Reading this makes my heart happy! Happy New Year~
Happy new years 2019 I’m going to make this recipe for my pecan turtles I’ll let you know how they turn out. Thanks for the recipe.
I can’t wait to see them!
5 Stars for these pecans. None better since my mother’s. Thank you for the tips.Bobbie
Thank you!!
I dumped a pound of good pecan halves in a 10″ iron skillet, spread the 4 oz.s 0f unsalted butter, put it in the oven at 275 degrees, stirred the buttered pecans to coat all, cooked them and stirred every 15 minutes. At end sprinkled with kosher salt and poured out on a rack to cool. Best I have had since I grew up and left home.
Always figured there was a shorter way and never found it. Finally talking to one of our sons decided the way my mother did it must have been the right way and found you. This is her way but as a small child I felt as if it took all day and never succumbed to the idea.
Thank you for this recipe and they are as good as my mother’s and the best I have had since I was a child and I am 93 years old. Hallelujah and Merry Christmas to you. Gerald
Delicious! Thanks for all your tips and tricks!
Thank you so much!!
Excellent recipe! Thank you for sharing all your tips and tricks!
Thank you!! I agree totally!
No doubt! Worth the extra time!
Thank you so much! I am so glad that you like them!
These were delicious! The only way I roast nuts now.
Sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks!
Thank you!!
Thank you so much for reading! I love to hear they passed the critics!!
These are fabulous! They even passed the critical taste buds of my father! He LOVED them! Thanks for this easy recipe with the hints that make them perfect!
Thank you! I am so glad you like them! I tend to like a lot of salt but love that you can adapt it to fit your recipes!
Delicious! I can’t stop eating these! Thank you for all the advice. I did not use too much salt but I think the butter makes all the difference in making these so good. Merci!
Thank you! I love making one or two big batches that last me at least 6 months:)
Excellent Recipe! This is always a family favorite at Thanksgiving, but now I know I can freeze them for use in other recipes! Thanks so much!
Delicious!!! I wanted to find a recipe that cooked the pecans slow. This recipe is wonderful!
Thank you! Low and is slow is definitely the way to go. I have burned way too many to count in my lifetime. Thank you for reading!
Delicious!!! I wanted to find a recipe that cooked the pecans slow. This recipe is wonderful!
Question? I got a head of myself and I tossed the pecans in the unsalted butter, but then I sprinkled the pecans with the salt Will this change the outcome?
not at all! Some prefer to use unsalted butter so they can control the amount of salt. They will still taste great!
That sounds amazing! I am going to try that next time!
I added a little chili powder tho the butter and they came out absolutely delicious!
This worked perfectly. Very easy to do. Just turned on oven to 275, mixed pecans with melted butter, spread on jelly roll pan, place in oven set timer for 15 minutes. Stirred the pecans every 15 minutes. After 45 minutes placed on rack with paper towels. Best pecans I have ever tasted. Made it a second time. Will do it many more times.
Thank you so much! I make a huge batch every fall and they last me through the holidays if I hide them from my husband:)
Thank you v much for all the information and tips to roast all kinds of nuts !
You make a great point that lowering the temperature allows the nuts to toast evenly and all the way through. My sister loves to eat pecans, and her birthday is coming up soon. I was thinking I could make toasted pecans for a little treat for her, but first I need to find a bunch of pecans that I can use. Thanks for the tips!
I am drooling over these amazing pecans! I agree, give me a pecan over a peanut any day! Your pictures are GORG by the way, Jennifer!
Thanks! I have used ghee too and I see your point about the butter flavor but you still get that healthy fat:)
My favorite way to do pecans. Very forgiving. I used 2.5 oz ghee instead of butter, so it loses some of the buttery flavor, but still very good.
I am drooling over these amazing pecans! I agree, give me a pecan over a peanut any day! Your pictures are GORG by the way, Jennifer!
I love pecans in baked goods, but now I want to make a big batch of these toasted beauties just to snack on! Man, do they ever look good!!!
It’s amazing what toasting does to nuts and if you don’t eat them by the bucket load like me they’re a healthy snack and don’t take anytime to put together!
Toasted pecans are the best! I would love to make a batch for my morning oatmeal!
Thank you! I love hearing from my readers and how my recipes are received. My in-laws have pecan trees so we are lucky to have a steady stream. I too am disappointed by the lack of pecans in those cans but pecans cost more than the other nuts so I see why there are fewer. I love to check Whole Foods and other stores that sell them in bulk and watch the prices. When they go on sale I buy them in bulk and store in my freezer. Happy holidays!
My husband loves these but when he buys a can of nuts they don’t have many pecans in them do I surprised him eith some homemade now he wants to plant a couple pecan trees so he can have them all the time thank you
Thank you so much for reading! I felt the same way too about the butter but it does really soak in after they rest out of the oven. I am a true salt lover so they are perfect for me and I like to have a little extra salt for when I add them to other recipes as the salt gets diluted out a little. My hubby would prefer me to now use salt at all so I make a batch for him without it. I will double check that the recipe lists unsalted butter. That is the only butter I use because I like to monitor the salt taste. Thanks again and I hope you love them in some pies this holiday season.
I stumbled across this recipe and just had to make them. At first, it seemed like way too much butter during the cooking time (it just didn’t seem to cook off), but it really dies down once they’ve been allowed to cool on the paper towels. They’re absolutely delicious! However, I did make one minor tweak.. 2 tsp of salt was -way- too much for my taste (and I’m a salt lover). I cut it to roughly about 1 tsp and they’re still plenty salty while still being edible. Also, make sure to use unsalted butter. I can’t imagine how salty they would be with added salt on top of salted butter.
Aside from cutting the salt back by half, this recipe truly is amazing.
Would this work using ghee butter?
Yes, it will! Just watch the nuts more closely as the ghee burns quicker. Enjoy!
Questions? Do I roast them on a cookie sheet in a single layer? And if that is the case when you say stir them how does that work if they are in a single layer?
Thanks for your question! I keep them in a single layer and when it is time to stir I take out the pan, shuffle them around with a spatula and spread back down into a single layer. I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy them!
I’m hosting Christmas this year and these nuts would be a super fun addition to the dessert/snacks! Yum I can’t wait to try them!
Thanks Heather! I know they will be a hit!
These are perfect and gorgeous!
Awesome post!! Pecans are an essential at the holidays in our house!
I always have to buy a few extra pounds because they go so fast!
Toasted pecans make me think of Christmas!
Me too!
Great tips! I need to really pay attention and NOT multi task while toasting pecans. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve burnt a batch! I just bought a giant bag of pecans. You better believe I’ll be toasting some with butter!
I have burned so many walnuts I have lost count. The bags of nuts actually run from me in the store!
Toasted nuts are just superior, in taste, texture and crunch. These look perfectly finished for a great holiday snack or appetizer!
And great in a pie!
Pecans are one of my favorite nuts. we always serve them with fruit at the holidays.
Us too!
These sound so much better than any store bought toasted nuts! They’d be perfect to set out on Thanksgiving for people to nibble on before dinner!
that’s a great plan!
This is a great tip! My mom used to always toast them in butter. So yummy! And I love them on a salad after they’ve been toasted like this!
I could eat them by the handful all day long!
I am definitely making these, what a perfect holiday snack!
Thanks Debra!
I love these! Perfect for munching…I know they wouldn’t last long here! I’ll have to make a double batch!
I had to!
I love pecans!! I discovered them late in life as they are not native to India and am now pretty addicted! Thanks for the no-fail tips, will be using them soon!!
Thanks Naina! I love toasting nuts and keeping a jar of them by my desk.
Homemade seasoned nuts are so much better than store bought! Ive never made them with butter though~ Im not sure why Ive always used olive oil. I can’t wait to remedy that situation 🙂
Sometimes I use Olive oil too. I started using that grass fed organic butter (Kerrygold) and love it so much. That’s what I put on my nuts…
I LOVE pecans! They’re my favorite after cashew nuts. I’ve never toasted them myself (my mom has done that always) – definitely trying these out with the pecans I have at home!
Thank you Aena! I always have cashews, almonds, and pecans on hand. When I get them I roast them in big batches so I don’t have to later… Plus great for snacking!
I always grab some pecans when I’m in Atlanta, they’re definitely yummier in Georgia – or maybe it’s just my imagination.
I usually toast them on the stove top but this way sounds much better and you can do more at once. Will try it this way next time for sure. Wish I had some now!
I can ship you some if you like!
I love toasted nuts on and in so many things! This is a great post to have handy.
Thank you, Julie. I never thought to toast and butter before mixing in a pie but they are so much better. Now I roast in big batches and keep in the freezer until ready to use. Keeps me loaded up on healthy snacks too.
I’m making a Hummingbird cake. And it calls for roasted pecans. Should I not add the salt for this?
You could probably cut back on the salt. I love a hint of salt to cut through the sweetness but understand if you want to keep it traditional. You could leave it out altogether or just add half. Thanks for asking and I am jealous that I won’t get a piece of that cake!
Thanks for sharing this with us 🙂
Thanks for reading!
I probably would be snacking on these all day long!! I do love Pecans, but my favourite is Almond and Cashew, but my husband’s favourite is DEFINITELY Pecan! 🙂
You should try my zesty chili lime cashews. They are my favorite too! I will be doing an almond recipe soon:)
I eat so many nuts each day and pecans are one of my favourites. Now I’m even more in love with them!
You will get addicted Laura! I like to bring these as hostess gifts too!
Thanks! I use Kerrygold all the time and my paleo friends like that too since they can use that butter!
I MUST try these! I love pecans so much and this makes them totally decadent!
Thanks Alyssa! I hope you like them.
Pecans are king in the south. I had a friend that burnt everything she cooked, even her toasted pecans. I should send her your recipe.
I was snacking on some pistachios earlier and shriveled momentarily. It took loads of water to return to normal. They really do over salt nuts. I love your tips and will be trying them next time I toast a nutty snack!!
Thanks Angela. I had to stop buying already salted nuts because I was getting so dehydrated!
I love roasted pecans, this sound delicious with the butter!
Thanks! I’m a high heat girl too. I know I should try to ratchet myself down sometimes but I just love to crank the heat and let ‘er rip! Pecans are such a wonderful treat. I just ran out making ice cream this week. Clearly they need to be added to the shopping list pronto! Of course, what would really be better is getting to head down to GA for pecan season. Last time I was there I was just in Atlanta which was wonderful but I would love to see more of the state! You guys do have some great food!
Thanks Mirlandra! I do love how Atlanta is making Southern classics more modern but still holding true to the roots! I buy all my nuts in bulk because it’s cheaper and I really stock up when pecan season is in full swing because they are cheaper. Not too many people remember/or know that you can store nuts in the freezer for up to a year! Even after you toast them!
I love nuts….and I think pecans are my favorite. I am going to make these today because I just bought 2 lbs recently and wasn’t sure how to roast them so I’ve been eating them raw. Can’t wait to try them!
Great! Let me know how you like them! I used the roasted ones in all my baked goods. Especially a pecan pie! It really enhances the flavor of the nuts!
Pecans are my favorite!
Mine too along with cashews!
These are going to make the perfect gift for teachers next week for Teacher Appreciation.
That’s a great idea! I might do the same with a coffee gift card!
Thanks for the tips! I absolutely love the smell of roasting nuts and how the wonderful aroma fills the house. Kerrygold butter is the best! Can’t wait to try these buttered pecans out!