Here are Four Ways to Perfectly Toast Your Pecans (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to roast pecans? ›

Your oven is also a great tool for toasting pecans. For this method, preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the nuts evenly onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake until they begin to brown and become aromatic, making sure to toss halfway through, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pecans in even layer on rimmed baking sheet and bake, tossing nuts occasionally, until fragrant and deepened in color, 6 to 8 minutes. 2. While nuts are toasting, stir sugar, and salt, together in medium bowl.

It's best to toast nuts whole, then to chop them if you need smaller pieces.

Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

Toasting Pecans in the Oven

Bake until the nuts are fragrant and a deeper shade of brown, 6 to 7 minutes.

Now, some of you may be wondering, “What's the difference between roasting and toasting a pecan?”. The answer is simple. Roasting is when the nut is cooked fully through, and is usually done in an oven. Toasting means to brown the nut on the outside, and is usually done over a fire or on the stove.

You know the nuts are done toasting when your whole kitchen has a subtly nutty, toasted scent (so yes, a nose knows, but a timer certainly helps). It's also a good idea to cut a nut in half and see what the inside looks like. If it's pale and raw, then the batch probably needs more time.

Try sprinkling a handful of these tasty nuts onto your next yogurt parfait, salad, or oatmeal for extra crunch and nutrients. They also work well in trail mix or chopped up in baked goods like muffins, pancakes, or banana bread.

Store the roasted, seasoned pecan halves in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Do toasted pecans go bad? ›

You can also refrigerate or freeze nuts, in which they will last even longer - for up to a year. Roasted nuts, on the other hand, have a shorter shelf life. If possible try to consume them within 2 weeks; however, they should be okay to eat up to a month after purchase.

Boiling pecans before cracking them can actually help prevent the shell from shattering.

Roasting the pecan nuts helps draw out the natural oils, creating that nice crunchy texture. If you are worried about excessive oils, don't be. Most nuts contain enough oils which prevent them from absorbing more. Pecans contain monounsaturated fats which some studies indicate can lower your cholesterol levels.

Once you've collected and sorted your pecans, you're ready to taste them. The first step is to place them in a pot and cover them with water. Boil for about 10 minutes, drain them in a colander, and let them cool enough to handle. Boiling them first will soften the shell, making them easier to crack.