How to Toast Pecans

Learn how toast pecans in the oven or on the stove for more flavor, crunch, and aroma in all your favorite recipes. It's super simple and only takes a few minutes.

Course Appetizer, Pantry

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 12 minutes

Servings servings (1/4 cup each)

Calories 202kcal

Author Meggan Hill

Equipment

Baking sheet

Ingredients

1 cup pecans (see note 1)
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter, optional (see note 2)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

To toast pecans in the oven:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
Toss pecans in oil and salt if desired. Arrange in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Toast until browned and fragrant, stirring occasionally, about 7 to 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and chop or use as desired.

To toast pecans on the stove:

Toss pecans in oil and salt if desired. In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat pecans until browned and fragrant, stirring occasionally, about 2 to 5 minutes.
Remove from skillet and chop or use as desired.

Video

Notes

Pecans: Cooking times vary depending on which method you choose and how many pecans you are toasting. And don't walk away! They can go from zero to burnt in under a minute.
Oil: Toasting pecans in fat (olive oil or clarified butter, for example), is optional. It adds more flavor and helps seasonings stick, if you want to use them.
Yield: The recipe as written makes 1 cup of toasted pecans (enough for 4 servings, ¼ cup each). It can easily be doubled or tripled as needed.
Storage: Store raw and roasted pecans for a year or more in the refrigerator or the freezer (not the pantry). They spoil easily, especially when roasted.
Cinnamon and sugar pecans: Toast 1 cup pecans in 1 tbsp oil with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.
Chex-Mix pecans: Toast 1 cup pecans in 1 tbsp oil with 1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp seasoned salt, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and a pinch onion powder.
Sweet and spicy pecans: Toast 1 cup pecans in 1 tbsp oil with 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp cumin and 1/8 tsp cayenne.

Nutrition