Best Sweet & Spicy Pecans

Sweet & spicy pecans are an easy make-ahead party snack for holidays, cocktail parties, game day or tailgating. The balance of sweetness and spiciness is truly addictive! Serve them in snack bowls or toss them on top of a salad.

sweet & spicy pecans recipe for a party

These have been on our party appetizers table for as long as I can remember. They’re a staple of Southern holiday entertaining, or any time you want to serve delicious snacks and nibbles. Add them to your next cocktail party, ladies night in, or for game day parties!

Why You’ll Love It

  • They have the perfect balance of sweetness and heat from ingredients like sugar, cayenne pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. And a combination of egg whites and butter makes sure the flavor completely encapsulates the pecan.
  • Make a big batch up to 3 days ahead. Store them in an air tight container then serve them at parties, or set them out while your waiting for the big meal to finish cooking.
  • This is a tried and true recipe we’ve made for years. And guests ALWAYS rave about the taste. I bet you have all the ingredients in your kitchen already!
  • Nothing says “the Holidays” to me quite like a dish full of sweet & spicy pecans. This recipe is the perfect addition to dinner parties for Thanksgiving or Christmas entertaining.
sweet & spicy pecans recipe

Can I Use Different Nuts?

You can certainly add variety with different types of nuts. Sometimes I like to add almonds to the mixture to give it more texture and flavor. I’ll measure 4 cups pecans and 2 cups almonds.

Cashews can also be used to mix in. Just make sure your total measurement is 6 cups of nuts and you can adjust the ratio to pecans accordingly.

I don’t recommend using walnuts, however. Their texture is similar to pecans but the taste is a bit different and just isn’t complemented by the coating.

Helpful Tips

As you follow the recipe card instructions keep these tips in mind for best results.

  1. Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This makes for easier cleanup and also protects the pan from absorbing the spicy heat flavor from the cayenne pepper.
  2. Make sure to use pecan halves for best results and flavor.
  3. Use a large mixing bowl. Add the egg whites and salt and whip them using a whisk, until they’re nice and frothy.
  4. Spread the nuts out in a single layer so they don’t overlap one another (as best you can). You can bake them in batches if you need to.
  5. Bake as directed, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes to avoid over-browning on one side.
  6. Remove from oven and let cool completely. They will crisp up as they cool. If you have small clusters stuck together, break them apart so every side of each nut can crisp up.
sweet & spicy pecans recipe on cooling rack overhead view

Quick Tip

Remove them from the baking sheet and let cool on a cooling rack in a single layer so they don’t clump together.

sweet & spicy pecans

Serving Suggestions

This version of pecans lends itself well to a variety of uses. Here are some more ways to serve them.

  • Add these to any party cheese board you might serve throughout the year.
  • Serve them on a brunch cheese board for weekends and holiday brunch entertaining.
  • Put a small dish on a bar cart bubbly bar so guests can grab a few while they pour a cocktail.
  • Sprinkle them onto this strawberry and spinach salad or a spinach & arugula salad with blue cheese and dried cranberries or fresh pears. Top with a simple vinaigrette. The sweet spicy flavor and crunch go so well with the salty cheese and fresh or dried fruit.
  • Give them as party favors or hostess gifts. Just put some into a cellophane bag and tie with ribbon.

More Nuts Recipes

You can’t go wrong with any of these spiced nut recipes. Just determine if you want a bit of heat (this recipe), more sweetness, or more savory & smoked flavor. Serve them all year long for any party occasion.

  • Try this sweet candied pecans version that has an overall sweeter flavor, with seasonal spices like cinnamon and brown sugar.
  • These savory spicy pecans are not sweet. They’re made with soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco adding a distinct flavor.

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sweet spicy pecans recipe

Sweet and Spicy Pecans Recipe

Yield: 6 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

These sweet & spicy pecans are a great make-ahead recipe for parties and holiday entertaining. Add them to a bowl to nosh on or add them to salads. You can even wrap them up for hostess gifts or party favors.

Ingredients

  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Smoke Paprika (or regular)
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
  • 6 cups pecan halves
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350º F and prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites and salt with a wire whisk, until foamy. Add sugar, paprika, red pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, mixing well. Stir in pecans and butter.
  3. Spread out on the baking sheet in a single layer and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes or until pecans are crisp, stirring every 10 - 15 minutes.
  4. Let cool and store in air tight container.

Notes

Add some almonds to the mixture. Use 4 cups pecans and 2 cups almonds to change up the texture and flavor.

Add these to a salad with blue cheese and light vinaigrette!

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