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Learn How to Toast Pecans in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave for more flavor and extra crunch! Roasting Pecans takes ordinary pecans and turns them into absolutely fantastic in just minutes.

Roasted Pecans are the perfect addition to your holiday baking, favorite recipes, or an amazing snack!

Bowl of toasted pecans sprinkled with sea salt in a blue bowl set on a wooden table.

The holiday baking season is upon us! It’s time to start filling our kitchens with sweet and savory aromas. I have to say this is my favorite time of year!

Pecans tend to find their way into much of my fall and winter baking and even savory dishes. Roasting pecans is a great way to enhance the flavor of these dishes.

Roasted Pecans are delicious additions to snack mixes, salads, desserts, quick breads, vegetables, and even over your morning cereal or oatmeal.

If you have never toasted pecans before, you won’t believe how simple it is. Not to mention that scrumptious nutty aroma and extra crunch that will enhance any dish.

Ingredient Notes

  • Pecans: Fresh good quality pecans will give you the best flavor and results.
  • Butter: Real butter really enhanced the nutty flavor and that buttery flavor that is hard to beat.
  • Sea Salt: A little sea salt sprinkled on top adds flavor but is totally optional. It may depend on the dish you are adding this to as well. If you are enjoying for a snack I really recommend adding a little
Toasted pecan ingredients pecans, butter, and salt on a white baking tray.

How to Toast Pecans

Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Oven Method (Oven Roasted Pecans)

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, silicone baking mat, or foil.
  • Melt butter in a microwave-safe dish.
  • Place pecans in a single layer on a lined baking sheet and drizzle with melted butter. Roast in the oven until golden, tossing the pecans halfway through cooking time.
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle with salt if desired. Let cool and serve or use in a recipe.
Oven roast pecans step collage image.

Stovetop Method

  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add pecans to skillet and cook, tossing as you cook, until golden and fragrant.
  • Remove pan from heat and sprinkle with salt (if desired) and let cool.

Microwave Method

  • Place pecans in a single layer on a paper towel line microwave-safe plate.
  • Microwave on high in one-minute increments until the nuts are golden and fragrant.
  • Remove and sprinkle with salt if desired.
  • Cool on the plate.

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Toasted pecans in a blue bowl being topped with salt.
How long do you toast pecans?

It will greatly depend on the method you chose and the size of the pecans, and how hot your oven, stovetop, and strength of your microwave. However, in the oven, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes, on the stovetop 2 to 5 minutes, and in the microwave oven about 2 to 3 minutes.

Can I toast pecans without butter or oil (Dry Roasted Pecans)?

Yes, you totally can! Using butter intensifies the flavor and helps your seasonings (or salt) stick better. If you want to cut out that fat, they are still delicious and you can definitely dry roast them.

Can you toast other nuts with this method?

Absolutely! Depending on the size and type you may need to cook less time. Just always keep a close eye on them. So many nuts are delicious toasted. Almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, peanuts, and hazelnuts are a few great ones.

Roasted pecans fresh out of the oven on a baking tray.

Variations or Add-Ins:

  • Cinnamon Sugar Pecan: Toast 1 cup of pecans with 1 tablespoon of butter and ad in ¼ cup of sugar and 1 to 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.
  • Spicy Pecans: Add ⅛ teaspoon of cayenne or red pepper.
  • Sweet and Spicy: To that red pepper add a little brown or granulated sugar.
  • Honey Roasted Pecans: Add 1 Tablespoon of honey to 1 cup of pecans and bake. Keep an eye on them!
  • Garlic and Herb Roasted Nuts: Add in garlic, rosemary, or favorite herbs.

Tips

  • Start with fresh good quality nuts or ones that have been stored properly. Nuts need to be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months or freezer for 1 year.
  • Whichever method you use, keep an eye on them as you are cooking them. They can go from done to burnt quickly.

Storage:

I recommend using the toasted nuts immediately if you can for the best most robust flavor. All that flavor does diminish some overtime. However, they can be stored for later use.

Just keep in mind they can spoil and go bad so make sure to store them properly!

  • Once your nuts are toasted, cool fully in the open air.
  • Store in an airtight container or resealable zip bag. A mason jar with lid or a bowl work well too.

Room Temperature

  • Store at room temperature in a cool dark spot for up to 1 week.

Refrigerator

  • Store in the refridgerator for up to 1 month.

Freezer

  • Keep them even longer by freezing for 3 to 6 months.
  • Make sure you use a freezer safe airtight container or freezer bag to keep them fresh and keep odors away.

Delicious Recipes to Make with Toasted Pecans

or in this Holiday Cheese Log from Julia’s Simply Southern.

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Recipe
5 from 13 votes

(click stars to rate)

How to Toast Pecans (Roasted Pecans)

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Author: Nikki Lee
Learn How to Toast Pecans in the oven, on the stovetop or in the microwave for more flavor and extra crunch! Roasting Pecans takes ordinary pecans and turns them into absolutely fantastic in just minutes.

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup raw pecans
  • 1 tablespoon butter, optional
  • kosher salt to tast, optional

Instructions

Oven Method

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, silicone baking mat, or foil.
  • Melt butter in a microwave-safe dish.
  • Place pecans in a single layer on a lined baking sheet and drizzle with melted butter. Roast in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until golden, tossing the pecans halfway through cooking time. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle with salt if desired. Let cool and serve or use in a recipe.

Stove-Top Method

  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add pecans to skillet and cook for 2 to 5 minutes, tossing as you cook, until golden and fragrant. Remove pan from heat and sprinkle with salt and let cool.

Microwave Method

  • Place pecans in a single layer on a paper towel line microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high in one-minute increments until the nuts are golden and fragrant. It usually takes 2 to 3 minutes depending on the size of the nuts and the power of the microwave. Cool on the plate.

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Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or in the freezer for 6 months.
  • Start with fresh good quality nuts or ones that have been stored properly. Nuts need to be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months or freezer for 1 year.
  • Whichever method you use, keep an eye on them as you are cooking them. They can go from done to burnt quickly.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup Calories: 784kcal (39%) Carbohydrates: 14g (5%) Protein: 9g (18%) Fat: 83g (128%) Saturated Fat: 13g (81%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 22g Monounsaturated Fat: 43g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 30mg (10%) Sodium: 100mg (4%) Potassium: 409mg (12%) Fiber: 10g (42%) Sugar: 4g (4%) Vitamin A: 405IU (8%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 73mg (7%) Iron: 3mg (17%)

Nutritional Disclaimer

Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

©️Soulfully Made

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13 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I did the microwave method and its so easy. These pecans were perfect to have as a snack for my kids. I’ll be adding these to make some pecan pies too!

  2. 5 stars
    I only ever dry-toast my pecans to scatter on salads or risottos, but I just tried your method with butter and salt, and oh-my! So good! Really takes them to a whole new level!

  3. 5 stars
    I love putting pecans on everything! From veggies, salads, baked goods and last night I made the Honey Roasted pecans and had to ask my husband to hide them!

  4. 5 stars
    Made these over the weekend and they were perfect!! We used them on top of salads, and everyone LOVED them! Thank you!

  5. 5 stars
    It’s amazing how the flavor intensifies when roasting nuts! I like the stovetop method. Keeps in right in front of the pecans so I don’t accidentally burn them!

  6. 5 stars
    I had a whole bag of pecans that I wanted to use up and roasted them as you’ve instructed. We’ve eaten them every night on our side salad and I use them on my morning oatmeal.

    1. That is awesome! I love mine in salads. In fact, I am making a kale salad with blueberries today for lunch! These pecans will be the crunch!