How To Toast Pecans (Oven Or Stove!)

Wondering how to toast pecans? We’ll walk you through 2 ways! Learn how to toast pecans in the oven or on the stovetop in this easy tutorial.

Toasting pecans is kind of like unlocking the next level on a game. You start with something pretty good (pecans) and the simple act of toasting them unlocks MAJOR flavor that instantly levels up every bite, whether you’re munching them on their own, tossing them into a salad, or mixing them into a baking recipe.

It only takes a few minutes, and it’s 110% worth the effort! In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to toast pecans in the oven and how to toast pecans on the stove. Don’t worry, it’s not fussy at all.

Here’s what you need to know about toasting pecans…

Why Do You Toast Pecans?

So, why do people toast pecans? It improves their texture and flavor! While raw pecans have a fairly flat, mild flavor, toasted pecans taste more vibrant, crunchy, and nutty. There’s a HUGE flavor difference in toasted or roasted pecans and raw pecans.

How To Toast Pecans In The Oven

Toasting pecans in the oven works best when you are toasting at least 1 cup of pecans. It’s my favorite method because it’s more hands-off and doesn’t require a lot of stirring or attention.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spread Pecans Out. Place raw pecans on a cookie sheet/sheet pan and spread them out in a single layer so they aren’t all touching. (This allows the air to circulate better, which leads to more even toasting)
3. Bake the pecans for 6-8 minutes, giving them a shake halfway through, if desired. If your pecans aren’t quite toasted yet, add 1-2 more minutes and watch them closely.
4. Let the pecans cool slightly, then use them, chop them, or store them, as desired.

That’s it!

How To Toast Pecans On The Stove

If you’re working with less than a cup of pecans (or just don’t feel like turning on the oven), you can totally toast pecans on the stove! All you need is a skillet to get started:

1. Add pecans to a large dry skillet. (Don’t add butter or oil–there’s no need, unless your recipe specifically calls for it, such as when adding herbs or spices.)
2. Toast the pecans 3-5 minutes on medium heat, stirring regularly to help the pecans toast more evenly.
3. Cool slightly, then use as desired.

Keep in mind that pecans toasted on the stovetop can cook more quickly, burn more easily, and cook unevenly unless you stir regularly and watch them closely. Don’t walk away from the stove or work on other projects at the same time or your nuts will likely burn!

10+ Yummy Ways To Use Toasted Pecans

Once you know how to toast pecans, you’ll want to put them in and on All The Things! There are more ways to use toasted pecans than I can count, but here are a few of my favorites…

• Brownies. Tuck some toasted pecans into these fudgy Gluten-Free Brown Butter Brownies for another amazing layer of flavor. (Add some flaky salt on top for a pretty finish!)
• Chicken Salad. My favorite chicken salad recipe uses pecans, along with apples and cranberries for.seriously satisfying flavor.
• Cheesecake. They’re great in all kinds of desserts, but I love to use toasted pecans and caramel sauce on my Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cheesecake. It’s DIVINE.
• Oatmeal. I love adding pecans to a warm bowl of Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal, a bowl of Steel Cut Oats, Overnight oats, or anything with cinnamon, blueberries, or apples. SO GOOD.
• With Veggies! Use roasted pecans to add nutty crunch to veggies like roasted butternut squash, roasted Brussels sprouts, and glazed carrots.
• Salads. Toasted nuts add lovely textural contrast to big salads like this or this.
• Waffles & Pancakes. That satisfying nutty crunch is so good with maple syrup on a stack of fluffy pancakes or our Gluten-Free Belgian Waffles.
• Carrot Cake. Add nutty flavor to a cozy carrot cake with chopped pecans. They can be stirred into the batter, used for decoration, or both!
• Cookies. I love toasted pecans in oatmeal cookies. They add GREAT flavor!
• Muffins. Add a handful or two to your muffin batter for a tasty crunch. They’re yummy in our Gluten-Free Banana Crumb Muffins!
• Banana Bread. If you like adding nuts to your banana bread, some toasted pecans can be BEAUTIFUL. We love them in our Brown Butter Banana Bread recipe.
• Snacks! Use these pecans in an epic trail mix, toss them onto a yogurt bowl, or munch them with some dark chocolate chips.
• Ice Cream. Sprinkle pecans into homemade caramel ice cream, turtle ice cream, or toffee ice cream or garnish your sundae with some on top.

FAQ + Tips And Tricks For Toasting Pecans

Set Timers & Stay Close! Nuts have a high fat content, which helps them toast beautifully, but it also means they can easily burn. Make sure to set a timer and stay close to your nuts while they’re toasting so you can keep an eye on them.

The Best Way To Store Pecans. Pecans last best in an airtight container, especially chilled. Store nuts like pecans in the freezer to help keep them fresh. (Oils tend to spoil more quickly with heat, and since nuts have a high fat content, they’ll stay fresher cold.) Toasted pecans will stay fresh about 1 week at room temperature, up to 2 months in the refrigerator, or up to 6 months in the freezer.

How Long Do Toasted Pecans Last? Toasted pecans will stay fresh about 1 week at room temperature, up to 2 months in the refrigerator, or up to 6 months in the freezer.

Can You Toast Pecans That Are Already Chopped? Yes, though they’ll toast MUCH faster.

Stick With Raw Pecans. For best results, only roast/toast RAW pecans. Other nuts, like seasoned pecans and dry roasted pecans are already toasted, and will burn more easily. (Costco is a great place to get raw pecans in bulk for the best price!)

Does This Work With Other Kinds Of Nuts? Yep! Other nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds work similarly.

♥ Leave a star review below when you try our Toasted Pecans recipe & let us know how you used them! We can’t wait to hear what you think!

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