How To Toast Pecans

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Let me show you how to toast pecans! Toasting pecans will bring out their nutty flavor and really make your desserts shine. I’ll show you three easy ways to toast pecans – you can toast pecans in the oven on a baking sheet, on the stovetop in a skillet, or even in the microwave!

bowl of pecan halves


 

If you think toasting your pecans is an unnecessary step in your baking – think again! Toasting pecans before using them in your baking is a big time game changer. Toasting pecans will take you just a few minutes and really bring out the nutty flavor of the pecans.

Toasted pecans have so much more flavor and aromatic than if you stirred raw pecans into your baked goods straight from the bag. In fact, I think Yankee Candle needs to make candle smell of toasted pecans! Do they do this already? Maybe they do, but if not remember you heard the idea here first.

The first time I went the extra step of toasting raw pecans before stirring them into some of my Russian Tea Cake cookies, I couldn’t believe how much more flavor my cookies had in the end! They went from good to oh wow these are crazy delicious! And yup I’m going to need to eat seconds of these…or thirds. I lost track. Let’s just say the flavor difference made that extra step well worth it.

So let me show you how to toast pecans so you can make your desserts even better!

pecans in a skillet

Why Toast Your Pecans?

Toasting nuts, whether it’s pecans, walnuts, almonds or any other kind of nut, before using them in your baking helps to bring out the pecan flavor. Toasting helps to bring out the oils in the nuts making them much more flavorful in your baking then if you were to use raw pecans.

Raw pecans can have sometime a bitter taste, and by toasting them first this will help so they aren’t as bitter and much more flavorful.

Are roasted and toasted pecans the same thing?

You can and will probably see the roasted pecans and toasted pecans terms used interchangeably. But technically roasted pecans means they are cooked all the way through, whereas toasted pecans are simply browned and toasted on the outside. In this case, what we are doing today is toasting our pecans.

Ingredients Needed

  • Raw Pecan Halves – I prefer to use pecan halves so they all roast evenly, but you can also toast pecan pieces but you will just need to keep an eye on them, stir them frequently and reduce the baking time slightly.

Because we are using these nuts in our baking recipes, we do not need to add any other ingredients to the pecans. If you wanted to use the pecans in cooking you could toss the pecans in some oil or melted butter and sea salt first, but we are toasting plain to use later in our desserts. This would also help if you wanted to toss pecans in any seasoning after to help the seasoning stick.

How To Toast Pecans

You can toast pecans in three ways:

  1. Stovetop
  2. Oven method
  3. Microwave

How To Toast Pecans In The Oven

This is my preferred method is the oven method because I can toast a large number of pecans on a baking sheet with parchment paper at a time and I think it produces the best results. The pecans get perfectly golden brown and toasted.

I can toast more nuts than my recipe calls for and save the extra toasted nuts for future recipes cutting down on that extra step later. Who is all for saving time?! Me! Me!

To toast pecans in the oven:

  1. Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat oven to 350oF (177oC).
  2. Spread your pecans on a baking sheet with parchment paper in a single layer. You can line with parchment paper or skip it (this will just make for easy cleanup later – as you can see in the photo below I don’t always do this!).
  3. Cook in the oven for 6-10 minutes. The cook time can vary depending on how many pecans are on the baking sheet. Be sure to stir the nuts a few times during the baking process so they all toast evenly.
  4. Toast until the pecans are fragrant are golden brown in color (darker in color then when started).Remove the baking sheet from the oven to cool to room temperature, and then use the toasted nuts as the recipe calls for them.
pecans on a baking sheet

How To Toast Pecans On The Stovetop

When I have a small amount of nuts to toast (less than a cup), I prefer toasting them on my stovetop in a dry skillet. This method also allows for you to keep an eye on the pecans so they don’t burn.

To toast pecans on the stovetop:

  1. Spread pecans out in a dry skillet in a single layer. (no butter or oil needed).
  2. Cook the nuts over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, stirring the pecans in the pan frequently to prevent burning.
  3. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the nuts to cool to room temperature before using the toasted nuts in your recipe.
pecans in a skillet

Can You Toast Pecans In The Microwave?

This method is definitely my least favorite for toasting nuts but can be done in a pinch. Your pecans won’t get as golden brown or as crunchy but it’s the fastest way to get it done.

Microwave method:

  1. Place the nuts onto a microwave safe plate in a single layer (a glass pie plate works great)
  2. Microwave the nuts on high for 2 minutes.
  3. Remove and stir then continue to microwave in 30-second increments until pecans are toasted to your preference. This can vary depending on your microwave, how many pecans you are using, and if they are whole or chopped. Allow the nuts to cool before using.

Can You Toast Already Chopped Pecans?

Toasting whole pecan halves is easier and will yield better results. Toasting pecans whole will result in less chance of any of them burning. It’s best to toast whole pecans, then let them cool and then chop them.

However, that being said yes you absolutely you can. I do this all the time. I buy them chopped if I know I need them chopped for a recipe and want to save myself an extra few minutes in the kitchen.

You do need to make sure when toasting chopped pecans, to make sure to stir them frequently so the smaller pieces don’t burn. You will also need to watch how long they are toasted for. And may need to reduce the roasting time slightly (about 1-2 minutes less).

bowl of chopped toasted pecans

What can I use toasted pecans for?

Toasted pecans can be used in just about any dessert! Here are some suggestions:

  • Cookies – Add 1/2 cup chopped, toasted pecans to your favorite chocolate chip cookie or oatmeal cookie recipe!
  • Brownies – Add 1 cup chopped, toasted pecans to brownies before baking for a lovely crunch!
  • Pecan Pie – I love using toasted pecans for my pecan pie recipe to really make the pecans shine!
  • Banana Bread – Stir in 1 cup toasted pecans to banana bread batter before baking.
  • Fudge – Add 1 cup of pecans to chocolate fudge. You can also swap out the walnuts in my marshmallow cream fudge.
  • Apple Crisp – Stir 1/2 cup of toasted pecans into the crumble topping of my apple crisp before sprinkling on top of the apples.
whole pecan pie

Heather’s Recipe Tips

  • Toast whole pecan halves for best results. Whole pecans will toast more evenly than pecan pieces and are less likely to burn.
  • Stir frequently. No matter which method you choose, be sure to be stirring the nuts a few times during the cooking process so the nuts don’t burn.
  • Roast in a single layer. For best results, do not roast too many at once so they all evenly get toasted.
  • Times may vary. Depending on the amount you choose to toast, and if they are whole or pieces, the time it may take for them to be golden brown and toasted through will differ.
  • Allow to cool before using. If you are using these in a dessert recipe, be sure to let them cool to room temperature. Stirring hot pecans into your batter may cause your baked goods to flop and not rise properly.

Recipe FAQ’s

How do you store toasted pecans?

You can store the them in an airtight container and keep at room temperature, in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months although it’s best to store in an airtight container for up to 6 months in your fridge to keep them from going bad.

Can toasted nuts go bad?

Yes they can go bad. Just like raw nuts, toasted nuts can also go rancid over time. For longest and best storage, keep your toasted nuts in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. If you do store them at room temperature, be sure to keep in a cool, dry place.

Can you freeze toasted pecans?

You can also freeze the toasted pecans for up to a year in an airtight container.

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pecans in a skillet

How To Toast Pecans (3 Ways!)

Three easy ways to toast pecans – in your oven, on your stovetop, or in your microwave!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 11 minutes
Servings: 1 cup

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pecan halves *amount can be halved, doubled or tripled

Instructions

To toast pecans in the oven:

  • Position a rack in the center of your oven. Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (177ยฐC).
  • Spread your pecans on a baking sheet with parchment paper in a single layer. You can line with parchment paper or skip it (this will just make for easy cleanup later).
  • Cook in a 350ยฐF oven for 6-10 minutes. The cook time can vary depending on how many pecans are on the baking sheet. Be sure to stir the nuts a few times during the baking process so they all toast evenly.
  • Toast until fragrant and golden brown in color. Remove the baking sheet from the oven to cool to room temperature, and then use the toasted nuts as the recipe calls for them.

To toast pecans on the stovetop:

  • Spread pecans out in a dry skillet in a single layer. (no butter or oil needed).
  • Cook the nuts over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, stirring the pecans in the pan frequently to prevent burning.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and allow the nuts to cool to room temperature before using the toasted nuts in your recipe.

Microwave method:

  • Place the nuts onto a microwave safe plate in a single layer (a glass pie plate works great).
  • Microwave the nuts on high for 2 minutes.
  • Remove and stir then continue to microwave in 30-second increments until pecans are toasted to your preference. This can vary depending on your microwave, how many pecans you are using, and if they are whole or chopped. Allow the nuts to cool before using.

Notes

  • Storage: You can store the them in an airtight container and keep at room temperature, in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months although it’s best to store in an airtight container for up to 6 months in your fridge to keep them from going bad.
  • Freezing: Freeze for up to a year in an airtight container.
  • Pecan pieces. Whole pecans will toast more evenly than pecan pieces and are less likely to burn. But you can use pecan pieces but you will need to be sure to stir frequently and toast for less time.
  • Stir frequently. No matter which method you choose, be sure to be stirring the nuts a few times during the cooking process so the nuts don’t burn.
  • Roast in a single layer. For best results, do not roast too many at once so they all evenly be toasted.
  • Times may vary. Depending on the amount you choose to toast, and if they are whole or pieces, the time it may take for them to be golden brown and toasted through will differ.
  • Allow to cool before using. If you are using these in a dessert recipe, be sure to let them cool to room temperature. Stirring hot pecans into your batter may cause your baked goods to flop and not rise properly.
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One Comment

  1. This TOAST PECANS looks so delicous, I love it, I will make it for my friends this weekend.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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