Simple Roasted Pecan Halves Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
One of our favorite snacks and a perfect little nibble for the holidays, tailgating events, or other parties are these simple roasted pecan halves. They really are so simple to make that I’m not sure I should even call it a recipe. I had never thought of including them here on my blog because they are so simple, but then a friend called me the other day and asked me how I made them. A few days later we made a big baking sheet of roasted pecans for my husband to take with him to the local college football game. He came home with an empty container telling me how much the guys loved them and that they asked him how they were made.
If you already know how to make these little bites of deliciousness, then you could take a few minutes to check out some of our other great tailgating recipes or appetizers instead. I’ll understand.
But if you haven’t made these before, you really should pick up some pecans soon to make these roasted pecan halves.
I’m roasting up a large batch of them so that I can grab them as a snack instead of all that Halloween candy that is mocking me in my pantry. I know it is in there and it sure is tempting me.
These roasted pecans also make a great addition to a salad or even a big bowl of oatmeal. I have another special treat coming up soon with them that is just perfect for the holidays. So be on the lookout for gorgeous pecan halves in your area.
You know, roasted pecans really just can’t be beat in my book. It may be because we fight the squirrels for them tooth and toe nail all throughout the fall so when we have enough pecans that I can roast or include in a Southern Pecan Pie, I know we’ve won a portion of the battle – for now. But it’s more than that. Pecans are good for you, too.
Did you know that a one ounce serving of pecans includes over 19 vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin E, calcium, potassium and zinc? Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ranked pecans in the top 20 out of 100 foods for antioxidant capacity. At 196 calories and 2.7 grams of dietary fiber, pecans are a great natural food to include in our diets. To learn more about the health benefits of pecans, visit the Georgia Pecan Commission.
By the way, the Georgia Pecan Commission doesn’t know who I am. I just love pecans and love sharing about this wonderful nut and supporting pecan growers, because they probably have even bigger squirrel issues than I do.
Here’s how I make these simple roasted pecan halves.
Simple Roasted Pecan Halves Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound pecan halves
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place pecan halves on a half sheet pan or cookie sheet, being sure to spread evenly on the pan.
- Break pats of butter into small pieces and place on pecan halves.
- Sprinkle salt all over the pecans.
- Place pan into oven and bake for 10 minutes, then stir gently, turning the pecans as you stir.
- Cook another 10 minutes, watching carefully to make sure they do not over brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hope you enjoy them!
Robyn
I was wondering if you are making pecan pie should you roast them first?
Hi Kathym,
You won’t want to roast your pecans before adding them to the mixture for pecan pie. They’ll bake in the pie and be just perfect!
Roasting pecans before cooking is the secret part that makes the joy of cooking pecan pie recipe sp much better. Try it!
Sounds delicious! Wondering if you could use oil instead of butter for a dairy free option.
Actually I did it with neither butter nor oil (just dry-roasted) and it is still delicious. But I’m pretty sure some walnut oil will go well with the pecans…
Hi Robyn!
I went online looking for a simple recipe for pecan halves. After looking and looking, I discovered your recipe for “Simple Roasted Pecan Halves”. This is exactly what I was looking for. I will be making your recipe, putting the pecans in some Christmas tins that I purchased, and giving them to family and friends this year. I’m a Southern girl too, and love to bake, cook, and try new recipes. I’m sure I would love to make other recipes from you. Even though I haven’t made the roasted pecans, I’m giving it 5 stars because I’m sure it will deserve it!
So great to meet you, Fran! I hope you enjoy them. I love to keep a bowl of these roasted pecan halves out for nibbling and they always make a welcome gift during the holidays! xo
Me too! It turned out very well for a first-timer, all thanks to the very clear description of Robyn!
Robyn, Roasted pecans do indeed make a very tasty snack, however, if you are also using them to provide a more healthy alternative to the Halloween candy, I would suggest reducing the oven heat to less than 170 deg F.
Why? Nuts contain essential fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-3. Dehydrating nuts can inactivate compounds (e.g., phytates) that block the absorption of minerals, and exposing nuts to very high temperatures (more than 170 deg F) can disrupt the essential fatty acids in them.
Slow roasting or dehydrating nuts at low temperatures will not disrupt the fatty acids and make them easier to digest.
Great tip, thanks, Don.
Bake how long?
Excellent! Simple and delicious!
Thanks, Christine! So glad you enjoy them. xo
Great information!! thanks
Yummy! Pinned it!
I accidentally burned my pecans and I may have slightly oversalted them. They kind of taste like burnt popcorn :[. I would hate to throw them all away; do you know of any way to salvage them or utilize them in another recipe?
Maybe you could sprinkle them with golden brown sugar or dip them into maple syrup?
How long do these last on the shelf? Can they be frozen after cooked?
Hi Natalie,
I’m not sure how long they’ll last or if you can freeze them. They only make it a day around my house! 🙂
What if I only have unsalted butter? How do I adjust the recipe?
I’d add about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of Kosher salt back to the recipe, to taste, while the pecans are still warm.
I am gona try these as a varient in a recipe
pinned 🙂
cant wait to make these