Cajun Spiced Pecans (Printable)

Crunchy pecans coated in bold, smoky Cajun spice blend. Ready in 30 minutes. Perfect snack or salad topper.

# What You Need:

→ Nuts

01 - 4 cups raw pecan halves

→ Spice Blend

02 - 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
08 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Coating

10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine melted butter, olive oil, and brown sugar. Whisk until well blended.
03 - Add pecans to the bowl and toss until evenly coated with the butter mixture.
04 - In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
05 - Sprinkle spice blend over pecans and toss thoroughly until all nuts are evenly seasoned.
06 - Spread pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
07 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until nuts are toasted and fragrant.
08 - Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet. Nuts will continue to crisp as they cool.
09 - Transfer cooled pecans to an airtight container and store for up to 2 weeks.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • The perfect balance of sweet and spicy makes these impossible to put down once you start snacking I always make a double batch now after learning this lesson the hard way.
  • They transform an ordinary salad into something guests will actually remember and ask about later.
02 -
  • The nuts will still seem slightly soft when you remove them from the oven I once threw out a whole batch thinking Id undercooked them, only to realize they needed cooling time to reach peak crispness.
  • If you store these with a slice of bread in the container, it helps keep them crispy in humid weather a trick my Louisiana grandmother taught me that actually works.
03 -
  • Toast the pecans for 5 minutes before adding the spice mixture this activates their natural oils and creates an even deeper flavor that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is.
  • If you happen to overdo the cayenne, add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar to the mix before baking it balances the heat without starting over.

Return