How to Toast Pecans

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

If you've ever bitten into a baked good only to find a chewy pecan, you know how important toasting nuts is. Gently toasting pecans in the oven, stove, or microwave will intensify their flavor and make them extra crunchy. If you're using the toasted pecans in a recipe, just heat them with a little butter to give them a rich flavor. You can also play around with seasoning them. Try toasting pecans with cinnamon, cayenne pepper, or sugar for a healthy snack that's packed with flavor.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon (14 g) of butter
1 cup (65 g) of pecan halves
3/4 teaspoon (4 g) of kosher salt
2 pinches of ground red pepper, optional

Makes 1 cup (65 g) of pecan halves

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Oven-Roasting Pecans

1
Preheat the oven to 325 °F (163 °C) and melt the butter. You can heat 1 tablespoon (14 g) of butter in a very small saucepan over low heat or microwave it for about 10 seconds until it melts.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- You can use salted or unsalted butter, but you'll have more control over flavor if you use unsalted.
Tip: To make more toasted pecans, you can double, triple, or quadruple all of the ingredients.
2
Toss the pecans with the butter and spread them on a baking sheet. Put 1 cup (65 g) of pecan halves into a bowl and pour the melted butter on them. Then, stir the pecans so they're coated and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Arrange the pecans so they're in a single layer. This will help them toast evenly.
Cinnamon pecan variation: Whisk 1 egg white until it's foamy and stir it into 1 cup (65 g) of pecan halves. Then, stir in 1/4 cup (50 g) of sugar along with 3/4 teaspoon (2 g) of cinnamon and spread the nuts on the baking sheet. Bake the pecans for about 45 minutes and stir them every 10 minutes so they cook evenly.

Advertisement
3
Bake the pecans for 25 minutes and stir them at the halfway point. Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven and cook the pecans for about 12 minutes. Then, put on oven mitts and remove the sheet. Use a spoon or flat spatula to stir the pecans and put the sheet back into the oven. Toast the nuts for another 12 to 13 minutes.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- The pecans will smell fragrant and nutty once they've finished toasting.
4
Remove the sheet and season the pecans with salt and red pepper. Turn off the oven and carefully remove the baking sheet. Sprinkle 3/4 teaspoon (4 g) of kosher salt and 2 pinches of ground red pepper over the nuts.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- If you don't want the heat from the red pepper, you can leave it out or substitute a different seasoning, such as ground cumin or rosemary.
5
Cool the pecans on the baking sheet. Stir the toasted pecans and then leave them on the baking sheet until they're completely cool. If you try to eat a hot pecan, it will be chewy instead of crunchy.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Store the cooled, toasted pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Toasting Pecans on the Stove

1
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Set a skillet on the stove and put 1 tablespoon (14 g) of butter into it. Then, turn the burner to medium and let the butter melt.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If you prefer, substitute olive, canola, or coconut oil for the butter.
2
Stir in the pecans, salt, and red pepper. Add 1 cup (65 g) of pecan halves to the skillet along with 3/4 teaspoon (4 g) of kosher salt. If you'd like the pecans to have a little spice to them, stir in 2 pinches of ground red pepper.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If you'd like to double this recipe, toast the pecans in batches instead of crowding the skillet.
Spicy sweet pecan variation: Toast the pecans with butter for 3 to 4 minutes and then add 1/8 teaspoon (0.3 g) each of cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and granulated orange peel. Stir in 1 tablespoon (12 g) of brown sugar and cook the pecans for 1 to 2 more minutes.
3
Cook the pecans for 2 to 5 minutes and stir them frequently. Keep the burner turned to medium and stir the pecans about every minute to prevent them from burning. Toast the nuts until they smell fragrant and look darker.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- If you stored the pecans in the refrigerator or freezer, they may take an extra minute to toast.
4
Transfer the pecans to a plate and cool them completely. Since pecans can continue to cook in the skillet even after you've turned off the burner, put the toasted nuts onto a plate. Set them aside to cool before you enjoy them.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Put the cooled nuts into an airtight container at room temperature and store them for up to 1 week.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using the Microwave

1
Mix the butter, pecans, salt, and pepper in a dish. Get out a shallow microwave-safe dish, such as a pie plate, and put 1 cup (65 g) of pecan halves into it. Stir in 1 tablespoon (14 g) of melted butter and 3/4 teaspoon (4 g) of kosher salt. If you'd like to give the nuts a little heat, add 2 pinches of ground red pepper.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Consider using seasoned salt instead of kosher salt for additional flavor.
2
Microwave the nuts for 1 minute. Put the dish of buttered pecans into the microwave and heat them at full power for 1 minute. You'll probably start to smell the nuts and they'll begin to turn a little darker.^{[11]
X
Research source}

Tip: If you're finding the nuts aren't heating very well, wipe down the inside of your microwave. A clean microwave will toast the nuts much better.
3
Heat the pecans for 1 to 2 minutes and stir them every 30 seconds. Open the microwave and stir the pecans before heating them for another 30 seconds. Then, stir the nuts again. Continue to microwave the pecans for a total of 1 to 2 more minutes or until they smell fragrant and toasted.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- It's important to stir the nuts frequently as they're toasting to prevent them from burning on 1 side.
4
Cool the pecans before you use them. Wear oven mitts to take the pecans out of the microwave since the dish will be hot. Transfer the nuts to a rimmed baking sheet or plate and let them cool completely.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Put the cooled pecans into an airtight container and store them for up to 1 week.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I toast chopped pecans?

Community Answer

Yes, but you may want to reduce the baking time a bit and keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
Question

Do I use toasted or untoasted pecans for turtles?

Community Answer

I have done both ways. The turtles have a better taste with toasted pecans.
Question

Can pecans be toasted 24 hours before eating?

Community Answer

Absolutely. Toasted pecans will keep for weeks if stored in dry conditions. After several months they can become rancid if roasted with butter.