Family Food on the Table

Recipes and resources for making it happen

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Main dishes
      • Chicken
      • Turkey
      • Pork
      • Seafood
    • Side dishes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Sweets & Desserts
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Slow cooker
    • Vegetarian
    • Salads
      • Healthy Summer Salads
    • Soups
    • Extras
      • Sauces, dressings and condiments
      • Baby food
      • Toddler and kid food
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • E-cookbooks
    • Cooking resources
    • Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes
      • Easy Chicken Recipes with Few Ingredients
      • Quick Chicken Recipes
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 15 Minutes
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 30 Minutes
      • Healthy One-Pot Chicken Dinners
      • Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
    • Easy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Oatmeal Recipes
    • Healthy Muffin Recipes
    • Healthy Desserts
    • Healthy Fall Baking
    • Casual Veggie Cookbook
  • Baby Food
    • Beginner Baby Foods
    • Baby Food Combinations + Recipes
    • Baby Food Resources
  • About me
    • Work with me
    • Privacy policy
    • Copyright

Sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup

November 8, 2017 By Kathryn Doherty

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy

Sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup are perfectly balanced with salty-sweet flavors and a little heat on the end. They’re a holiday favorite!Sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup are perfectly balanced with salty-sweet flavors and a little heat on the end. They’re a holiday favorite! | www.familyfoodonthetable.com

Happy hump day!

I’m sorta just hobbling through the week this week…

The past two weeks were short ones for me, work-wise, as I traveled to Nashville with some girl friends for a long weekend (including my birthday) and last weekend when I was up on Lake Michigan for a blogger retreat.

Both were seriously fabulous trips with some seriously amazing women. I am blessed to have them all in my life to share fun, food, laughs and inspiration!

But this week is all reality. Including both kids being out of school and home with me while I work on Friday. Send bourbon. 😂

But now, on to today’s recipe…

My mom’s been making sugared pecans at the holidays for years.

Sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup are perfectly balanced with salty-sweet flavors and a little heat on the end. They’re a holiday favorite! | www.familyfoodonthetable.com

They are always part of our annual mom-daughter baking day, where we prep all the cookies and treats for the family together and just have fun in the kitchen.

But honestly, those pecans were always the thing I was least excited about.

I adore a salty-sweet snack, but sugared pecans just never did it for me for some reason.

And then last year, my mom added some cayenne.

And I fell in love! ❤️

These sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup are just so much more balanced, I think.

They’re not super spicy but they do have a little heat that kicks in at the end. I love that!

I’ve adjusted my mom’s recipe because I wanted to use maple syrup instead of brown sugar so they’d be naturally sweetened.

I also use butter in mine, which I think helps bring out the richness of the nuts.

Sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup are perfectly balanced with salty-sweet flavors and a little heat on the end. They’re a holiday favorite! | www.familyfoodonthetable.com

And shhh, I think my tweaks make these sweet and spicy pecans even better!

They are so easy and so addictive and just perfect for setting out at the holidays for people to snack on.

A few notes on these sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup:

  • I use butter but you can sub extra-virgin olive oil if you prefer (or if you want them to be vegan).
  • I like using all maple syrup but I’ve seen some recipes that use part maple syrup and part brown sugar. Do what suites you!
  • I think these have the perfect amount of cayenne to get just a background hint of spicy, but feel free to adjust the amount to suit your tastes.
  • These pecans will keep for at least 2-3 weeks, stored in an air-tight container at room temperature.

Sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup are perfectly balanced with salty-sweet flavors and a little heat on the end. They’re a holiday favorite! | www.familyfoodonthetable.com

Even if you’re like me and haven’t been a huge fan of sugared pecans in the past, I hope you’ll give this sweet and spicy version a try!

(And they would also make a fabulous hostess gift or holiday gift for neighbors, friends and teachers!)

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

P.S. If you love pecans, check out my bourbon sweet potato casserole with buttery pecans, curried wild rice salad with raisins and pecans, and my kale apple salad with cheddar and pecans.

Sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup

Print Add To Shopping List
Prep Time 5 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Total Time 25 minutes
Yields 2 cups     adjust servings

Sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup are a salty-sweet holiday favorite!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pecan halves
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter (or sub olive oil)
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/8 teaspoon allspice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine maple syrup, butter and seasonings through allspice. Add pecans and stir until they are well coated.

Spread pecans in an even layer on prepared baking sheet.

Bake at 300 for 20-25 minutes, stirring once, until well browned. Be careful they don’t burn.

Let cool on baking sheet and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

I use butter but you can sub olive oil if you prefer (or if you want them to be vegan).

I think these have the perfect amount of cayenne to get just a background hint of spicy, but feel free to adjust the amount to suit your tastes.

These pecans will keep for at least 2-3 weeks, stored in an air-tight container at room temperature.

3.9473684210526 19
19 reviews
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/4 cup
Amount Per ServingAs Served
Calories 817kcal Calories from fat 694
% Daily Value
Total Fat 77g118%
Saturated Fat 10g50%
Transfat 0g
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 320mg13%
Carbohydrate 35g12%
Dietary Fiber 10g40%
Sugars 22g
Protein 9g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

Calories2000
Total FatLess than65g
Sat FatLess than25g
CholesterolLess than300mg
SodiumLess than2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate300g
Dietary Fiber25g

Sweet and spicy pecans with maple syrup are perfectly balanced with salty-sweet flavors and a little heat on the end. They’re a holiday favorite! #holidayfood #roastednuts #christmasfood #snacking #pecans #healthysnack | www.familyfoodonthetable.com

Related Posts

  • Holiday cocktail party {recipe round-up}Holiday cocktail party {recipe round-up}
  • Cranberry white chocolate granolaCranberry white chocolate granola
  • Shrimp martini appetizerShrimp martini appetizer
  • Wild rice and Brussels sprouts salad (one-pot)Wild rice and Brussels sprouts salad (one-pot)
  • Southwestern hummus with pico de gallo and charred cornSouthwestern hummus with pico de gallo and charred corn
  • Creamy butternut squash brown riceCreamy butternut squash brown rice

Filed Under: Appetizers & Snacks, Vegetarian

« Classic toys for kids 2-5
Pumpkin cranberry energy balls »

Comments

  1. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    November 8, 2017 at 2:39 PM

    Lake Michigan, huh? My husband is from around there! I hope you had loads of fun at the retreat (although I’m fairly certain you did!) I am a HUUUUUGE fan of nuts, especially during the holidays, because they make the best (and easiest) appetizer! These look fabulous! I love the sweet and spicy combo! SO YUM! Cheers!

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      November 8, 2017 at 8:16 PM

      So I went to school in Chicago but this was just a totally different experience and I so loved the calm, quiet, gorgeous lake! Even when it was dreary and raining, it just looked so beautiful! And a big YES to ALL the nuts at the holidays! (Did that sound weird?! 😂) XO

      Reply
  2. Luci's Morsels says

    November 8, 2017 at 9:16 PM

    Sweet and spicy pecans are some of my favorite holiday foods to snack on! Love this perfect alternative to a traditional candied nut, so tasty!

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      November 9, 2017 at 2:52 PM

      Thanks Luci! The spicy part really makes these special!

      Reply
  3. Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen says

    November 10, 2017 at 8:05 AM

    I love making nuts like this during the holidays! I can’t wait to try these!

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      November 10, 2017 at 5:44 PM

      They’re so great for setting out around the holidays, aren’t they?! I hope you try them!

      Reply
  4. Millican Pecan says

    July 2, 2019 at 2:14 PM

    I think these are even better when increasing the maple syrup to 5 tablespoons and eliminating the butter. You have to remove them from the oven every 5 minutes to stir them. That way they have a longer shelf life than just 2 to 3 weeks. Also, I have tried 325 degrees for a little crispier texture. Either way, they are excellent as maple-pecan is a great combination!

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      July 3, 2019 at 7:08 AM

      I love that combination too! And love your substitutions – will have to try them that way next time. Thanks for sharing! 😊

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a health and nutrition editor, wife, mother of two kids, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes and resources to help you get delicious family food on your table! Learn more about me.

Search this site

Let’s be friends!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Sign up and get my FREE e-cookbook, Easy Weeknight Dinners!

Popular Recipes

Curry ground turkey with rice and peas is full of warm, rich flavors but is super quick and easy to make! This 20-minute recipe is great for a weeknight dinner! #curry #turkeycurry #groundturkey #easydinners #quickdinners
Crock pot honey garlic chicken served in a bowl with green onions sprinkled on top
Spicy chicken patties are a really simple, easy recipe and can be used for wraps, salads, sliders, with a sauce or alongside some eggs with breakfast. Paleo, gluten-free and whole 30-approved, these patties will become a new favorite! #whole30recipes #paleorecipes #healthychickenrecipes #simplechickenrecipes | www.familyfoodonthetable.com
This quick and easy Southwest chicken skillet dinner uses rotisserie chicken, fresh veggies, canned beans and simple spices for a delicious meal that’s ready in just 15 minutes! #easychickendinner #onepotrecipe | www.familyfoodonthetable.com
Quick chicken curry is an easy, one-pan recipe that’s ready in just 15 minutes -- perfect for a busy weeknight dinner! | www.familyfoodonthetable.com
A 5-ingredient, 15-minute honey garlic chicken with an addictively delicious sauce - a perfect weeknight dinner recipe!

Follow me!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Sign up and get my FREE e-cookbook, Easy Weeknight Dinners!

Search this site

Copyright © 2019 · Family Food on the Table

Sign up for new recipes and get my FREE e-cookbook!
Sign up for new recipes and you'll get my FREE e-cookbook, Easy Weeknight Dinners!
Introduce yourself and your program
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.