Description
These sweet and spicy pecans with chili peppers are coated in a flavorful blend of Mexican spices, with the ground Chipotle chili peppers providing a light kick of heat. The cinnamon, cloves, and smoked paprika add depth to the aroma and flavor, and the touch of vanilla provides a perfect balance with a hint of sweetness.
These easy candied spicy nuts perfectly balance sweetness, heat, and crunchiness. It is perfect for gatherings!
For this easy recipe, you'll need:
- Medium bowl: For mixing the ingredients.
- Baking sheet or cookie sheet: For roasting the pecans.
- Parchment paper: Skip the aluminum foil for this recipe. The parchment paper ensures the pecans don't stick, providing the best results for your spicy pecans recipe.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 Egg White from a large egg (approximately 2 tablespoons of egg whites)
- 1/4 cup of Dark Brown Sugar (lightly packed) - see notes
- 2 teaspoons of Vanilla Extract
- 2 teaspoons of Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of Ground Chipotle Chili Peppers - see notes
- 1/2 teaspoon of Smoked Paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon of Ground Cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon of Kosher Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of Black Pepper
- 2 cups of Raw Pecan Halves - see notes
- Coarse Sea Salt for sprinkling (optional).
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or non-stick spray.
- Whisk the egg white vigorously in a large bowl for about 20 seconds until it's light and frothy.
- Whisk in the remaining ingredients except for the pecans. Mix well.
- Add the pecans
- Mix until thoroughly coated.
- Spread the pecans onto the sheet pan, including the liquid, in a single layer.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then toss them with a spatula, ensuring the pecan pieces are spread out in a single layer again. Bake for another 15 minutes.
- Remove them from the oven, sprinkle some coarse sea salt (if using), and let them cool down.
- Serve at room temperature. Enjoy them on a cheese board or simply on their own!
Notes
- Dark Brown Sugar is great for this recipe for its molasses flavor, but light brown or white sugar can be suitable substitutes. While a liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup may be a flavorful option for this recipe, dry sweeteners are preferred to prevent stickiness.
- Ground Chipotle Chili Pepper is a key ingredient in this recipe. The smoky hero that takes these pecans to the next level. Chili powder or Cayenne Pepper are suitable substitutes for missing the chipotle.
- Almonds and Walnuts are suitable substitutes for Pecans.
- Pairing suggestions: These preserves recipes are wonderful to pair with these pecans on a cheese or charcuterie board:
Fig Preserves Recipe
Strawberry-Fig Preserves Recipe
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scoop
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 0.6 g
- Sodium: 25.4 mg
- Fat: 8.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.2 g
- Fiber: 1.4 g
- Protein: 1.4 g
