When most of us think of pecans, we think of Pecan Pie! But there are so many more dishes you can make with pecans from salads, to appetizers, cookies, muffins and more. Here you’ll find some of our favourite Pecan Recipes plus tips for how to use, store and toast pecans!
What Does This Post Include
- What are Pecans
- Quick Facts About Pecans
- How To Toast Pecans
- 17 Recipes with Pecans
- Frequently Asked Questions About Pecans
- More Recipe Collections
What are Pecans
Pecans are nuts that are primarily grown in the United States and Mexico. The pecan tree is a large Hickory tree that is cultivated primarily for pecan nuts.
Quick Facts About Pecans
- You can usually find them in the baking isle of grocery stores.
- They can be purchased in their shells or already shelled.
- The nut and the skin is edible.
- Pecans can be stored in a cool dry place up to six months. Alternatively, they can be refrigerated for up to six months and you can even freeze pecans up to two years.
How To Toast Pecans
There are two easy ways that you can toast pecans for cooking or baking. You can either toast them on the stove top or bake them in the oven.
Toasted pecans add a depth of nutty flavour to the pecans and go fantastic in baked goods as well as savoury dishes like the 5 Minute Goat Cheese and Pecan Salad.
- On the stove top – Place a medium sized skillet over medium heat. Add the whole pecans and heat them, tossing every few minutes, for about 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn. Remove from heat when toasted.
- In the oven – Place the pecans on a baking tray. Place in a preheated 350 degree f/180 degree c oven for about 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Sweet Pecan Recipes
Check out some of our favouite sweet pecan recipes. If you love Chocolate Chip Cookies, you need to check out our favourite Soft Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Orange Pecan Streusel Muffins
Bring some sunshine into your kitchen table with these Orange Pecan Streusel Muffins. A muffin loaded with pecans, cinnamon, and orange zest for a fresh pop of flavour. Make them for your next weekend brunch.
Check out this recipe
Pumpkin Pecan Scones
Try these Pumpkin Pecan Scones for the perfect fall Breakfast soon. A light and tender scone filled with toasted pecans, pumpkin puree and lots of seasonal spices to embrace the best of fall!
Check out this recipe
Pecan Strudel Snacking Cake
Hello lovely September. The start of the best time of year! And what better way to kick off the slow change of seasons than with this Pecan Strudel Snacking Cake. A moist & buttery cake filled with pecans and topped with a cinnamon strudel topping. Perfect for fall mornings with a seaming hot cup of coffee.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Pecan Brownies
These Chocolate Pecan Brownies are delicious, chewy and moist brownie stuffed full of pecans. Perfect for a simple dessert idea or just snaking!
Check out this recipe
Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies
Dive into a pile of these Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies this fall. A perfectly spiced chewy cookie studded with chopped pecans for the perfect bite.
Check out this recipe
Brown Sugar Pecan Cookie Bars
If you're a fan of Brownies, you're going to love these Brown Sugar Pecan Cookie Bars. These are easy to make with a lot of brown sugar for a dense and moist texture.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Pecan Cranberry Clusters
These four ingredient Chocolate Pecan Cranberry Clusters would look great on a holiday cookie tray. A combination of semi sweet and milk chocolate makes the perfect combination mixed with sweet dried cranberries and pecans.
Check out this recipe
Cranberry Pecan Granola
Start your day off right with this Cranberry Pecan Granola. Wholesome crunchy bites of crisp oats, pecans, almonds, pumpkin seeds with some sweet cranberries. Serve it with some yogurt, milk or even eat it just as a snack.
Check out this recipe
Pecan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Pecan Oatmeal and Chocolate Chip Cookies are an all around great snacking cookie. You can even freeze the dough for easy baking!
Check out this recipe
Soft Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies. A buttery soft cookie filled with sweet chocolate chips and a chewy pecan nut. Give them a try!
Check out this recipe
Pecan Oatmeal Cookies
These Pecan Oatmeal Cookies and chewy, nutty and they go great with a cup of coffee. Cosy up this weekend and get your baking on!
Check out this recipe
Savoury Pecan Recipes
Pecans go so well in salads, appetizers and other savoury dishes. Check out our favourtite Bacon Wrapped Dates with Pecans for an outstanding party nibble.
Figs with Goat Cheese and Pecans
Put this quick and easy appetizer on your holiday table this year. These Figs with Goat Cheese and Pecans look holiday ready with their beautiful presentation. Fresh sweet figs topped with soft goats cheese and topped with salty pecans. The perfect bite!
Check out this recipe
Pecan & Goat Cheese Endive Cups
A little endive cup filled with crumbled goat cheese, chopped pecans and drizzled with honey. Your perfect last minute dinner party appetizer.
Check out this recipe
Pecan and Goat Cheese Bruschetta
Make this Pecan and Goat Cheese Bruschetta on repeat for all your fall entertaining. Crisp pieces of baguette bread topped with sweet caramelized onions, salty pecans and soft goat cheese. A delicious fall appetizer that everyone will love.
Check out this recipe
Pear and Pecan Salad
Every season has it's best salads and I think this Pear and Pecan Salad is perfect for fall. Filled with pecans, crisp pear slices, dried cranberries, crumbled bacon and aged cheddar. It's not only a great mid week light meal, it would make a great appearance on your Thanksgiving table.
Check out this recipe
5 Minute Goat Cheese and Pecan Salad
Warmer weather calls for easy salads like this 5 Minute Goat Cheese and Pecan Salad. Using just arugula, pecans, goat cheese, chives and a little balsamic glaze, this is on the table in a hurry. Great for a quick lunch or a side dish or starter to a bigger meal.
Check out this recipe
Bacon Wrapped Dates with Pecans
It doesn't get a whole lot easier than these Bacon Wrapped Dates with Pecans. A sweet date stuffed with a pecan and wrapped with bacon. A great party appetizer for the holiday season!
Check out this recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you substitute walnuts for pecans?
Yes, you can substitute walnuts for pecans. Both nut varieties are very similar. Pecans are a little sweeter, whereas walnuts are a little more bitter.
Do you have to wash pecans before toasting?
Although it is believed that pecans have to be washed before toasting, you do not have to wash pecans prior to toasting them.
What do pecans taste like?
Pecans have a sweet and buttery flavour. The texture is firm but light at the same time. They do break apart easily and have a nice crunch.
Pecan Recipes
When most of us think of pecans, we think of Pecan Pie! But there are so many more dishes you can make with pecans from salads, to appetizers, cookies, muffins and more. Here you'll find some of our favourite Pecan Recipes plus tips for how to use, store and toast pecans!
Servings: 17 Pecan Recipes
*A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Notes
These are the recipes included in this post. To access the recipes, check the post and click on the button that says “Get the Recipe”.
- Orange Pecan Streusel Muffins
- Pumpkin Pecan Scones
- Chocolate Pecan Brownies
- Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies
- Brown Sugar Pecan Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Pecan Cranberry Clusters
- Cranberry Pecan Granola
- Pecan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Soft Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pecan Strudel Snacking Cake
- Pecan Oatmeal Cookies
- Figs with Goat Cheese and Pecans
- Pecan and Goat Cheese Endive Cups
- Pecan and Goat Cheese Bruschetta
- Pear and Pecan Salad
- 5 Minute Goat Cheese and Pecan Salad
- Bacon Wrapped Dates with Pecans
