Spiced Pecans

The pecan, which grows best in warm climates, is beloved in the South. At parties, Southerners often set out giant bowls of spiced nuts like the ones here, deliciously seasoned with cayenne, cinnamon and brown sugar.

Frequently asked questions

How long do spiced pecans last?

If stored in an airtight container, these spiced pecans will last three days (if you can manage to not eat them before then).

How do you store nuts?

Nuts are best stored raw, before they are roasted for recipes like this one. Storing them in an airtight container in the freezer helps to limit their exposure to light, oxygen, and heat, all of which slow down the rate of spoilage. Raw nuts will last for a year in the freezer, while roasted nuts, which are more susceptible to oxidation and deteriorate faster, should only be stored for up to six months.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

We love the sweet-spicy flavor in these nuts, but have also played around with the spice mixture, swapping in ground cumin, coriander, cardamom, and smoked paprika on occasion. You can also make these with walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts, or combine a few different types of nuts. Be sure to source raw nuts for this recipe, preferably from a source that ensures they are fresh.

If you are making these nuts for a party, let them cool a bit before serving; nuts develop a softer texture while toasting in the oven, but as they cool a bit, their crunchiness will return. We like keep a bowl of these nuts by the drink station at parties, so there's something easy to snack on while you decide what to drink.