Pecans never tasted better! These honey whiskey roasted pecans are salty and sweet – the perfect snack to put out for a party, or just to get you through the afternoon!
I love pecans – they’re perfect on top of salads, oatmeal, pancakes, quick breads, you name it.
But I love roasted pecans even more. Tossed with honey, whiskey, and salt, these nuts boast BOLD sweet and salty flavor. The whiskey helps intensify the flavor but they’re also delicious without the booze if you prefer.
Ready in just 15 minutes, these are the easiest snack to make when you’re hosting a crowd or you want to meal prep snacks for the week.
But seriously, these are a crowd-pleaser! Who doesn’t love sweet and salty nuts at a party?!
Satisfyingly crunchy, these are perfect as a snack or as a salad topper!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Notes on Ingredients
Pecans: make sure you buy raw pecans (unsalted, not roasted)
Whiskey: I’ve tested this using a Canadian whiskey, a rye whiskey, and Tennessee whiskey and all we’re great. You can use your favorite whiskey for this recipe – any variety will do.
Honey: Any variety will work well here too. I’ve used orange blossom and dark amber honey.
Salt: I used a fine sea salt
Equipment You’ll Need (affiliate links below – I receive a small commission if you make a purchase)
Parchment Paper or Non stick silicone baking sheet
How to Make Honey Roasted Pecans
Step 1: Bring whiskey and honey to a boil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add pecans and let simmer until pecans are coated, about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Transfer pecans to baking sheet and roast for about 10 minutes, tossing once halfway through.
Step 3: Transfer parchment paper or silicone baking sheet to wire rack to cool. You can serve these nuts warm or at room temperature.
Expert Tips
Make sure to spray parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray first otherwise pecans will stick to the paper when they cool. Or, use a nonstick silicone baking sheet to prevent sticking!
Pecans will stick together slightly upon serving / storing. If you don’t want them to stick together at all, you can cut the amount of honey and whiskey used by half. The pecans won’t taste as sweet but will still have some flavor.
You can also sprinkle nuts with brown sugar after removing from the oven and this will help prevent sticking too.
Honey Roasted Pecans FAQs
Should you store roasted pecans in the refrigerator?
You can store pecans at room temperature (in the cooler months of the year) or in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week or in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
What’s the difference between roasted pecans and candied pecans?
Candied pecans are made with egg white and sugar while roasted pecans are simply roasted in the oven with seasonings and/or sweeteners.
How long do roasted pecans last?
Roasted pecans can last up to one week in the refrigerator in an airtight container or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What’s the difference between roasted pecans and toasted pecans?
Toasting pecans intensifies their flavor, results in a deeper color and crunchier texture. You can toast pecans before adding them to any recipe. Toasting pecans can be done on the stovetop or in the oven. Roasting pecans is done in the oven when you cook the nuts fully.
Do you have to use the whiskey called for in this recipe?
No! I find that the whiskey intensifies the flavor of the recipe and gives the sweetness more nuance but you can simply use honey here with no booze.
Are pecans good for you?
Pecans are a nourishing snack! Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals – including vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, several B vitamins and zinc. One ounce of pecans provides 10% of the recommended Daily Value for fiber.
How can you use roasted pecans?
You can use roasted pecans in any recipe but they are especially delicious on top of salads like my Kale Salad with Pomegranate or as part of a cheese and charcuterie board.
For more snack inspiration, check out my other recipes below!
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
- Pumpkin Almond Butter
- Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
If you like this recipe, please be sure to comment and give it a 5 star rating below. If you make it, share it on Instagram and tag me @karalydonrd and I’ll re-share it with my followers! If you want to save this recipe for later, be sure to pin it on Pinterest!
Honey Roasted Pecans
(3 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Loading...
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Pecans never tasted better! These honey whiskey roasted pecans are salty and sweet – the perfect snack to put out for a party, or just to get you through the afternoon!
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw pecans
- 1/4 cup whiskey (if using)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray or use nonstick silicone baking sheet instead of parchment paper.
- In a large nonstick pan, bring whiskey and honey to a boil over medium heat. Add pecans, reduce heat and let simmer until coated with glaze, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer pecans to baking sheet, sprinkle with salt, and roast for about 10 minutes, tossing pecans once halfway through baking time.
- Serve warm or let cool to room temperature before serving.
To make honey roasted pecans (without the whiskey):
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray or use nonstick silicone baking sheet instead of parchment paper.
- Warm honey in a large mixing bowl in the microwave or on the stovetop in a nonstick pan until consistency is thin enough to coat nuts. Add pecans and toss to coat.
- Transfer pecans to baking sheet, sprinkle with salt, and roast for about 10 minutes, tossing pecans once halfway through baking time.
- Serve warm or let cool to room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Pecans will stick slightly together. If you don’t want them to be sticky, you can reduce the amount of honey and whiskey by half (they just won’t be as flavorful – but perfect if you want a more subtly flavored roasted nut). You can also sprinkle nuts with brown sugar after removing from the oven and this will help prevent sticking too.
- Roasted pecans can last up to one week in the refrigerator (or room temperature) in an airtight container or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Roasted
Just swapped in skrewball peanut butter whiskey and added a touch of brown sugar and finished with kosher salt.
Unreal
Sounds delicious!
Wow, these look soooo delicious! I bet they would make a delicious topping, too. Can’t wait to try!
Thanks, Sarah! Threw these on top of a salad the other day. So good! Bet they would be delicious crumbled over some vanilla bean ice cream too. Just sayin’.
Oh My! I think I found a new recipe for holiday gift giving! Yum 🙂
Thanks, Anne! Yes, I can’t wait to revisit these come holiday time this year!
These look so tasty! Feeling some gift inspiration coming over me – or perhaps that’s just the whiskey! 🙂
Thanks, Alex! Could be the whiskey talking. Just run with it 😉
I used whiskey in my post too! These look absolutely delicious, strike that they look dangerously addictive!
Loved that you used bourbon with plantains. YUM! And I must concur – these pecans are seriously addictive. They should probably come with a warning.
Can’t wait to try these, they look gorgeous…great gift, too! #pinned
Thanks for sharing the pecan love, Danielle!
Yum! I’m going to use these as gifts! Great photos too!
Thanks, Marisa! Love these as a gift idea – mason jar and some twine – and voila!
Great shots! And how can I resist honey whisky & pecans! That’s a southerner’s dream!
Thanks, Wendy Jo! Yes! Love bringing a taste of the South up North 🙂
Oh my, pecans are already addicting enough..but honey whiskey ones?! I wouldn’t be able to stop eating them! 🙂
xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
Well, that makes two of us because I haven’t been able to stop eating then! #foodieproblems
Yeah! Honey whiskey is so good. Great combo with the pecans
Thanks, Bridget! I’m not a big fan of whiskey but that Honey Whiskey sure is something special.
What a treat – will definitely be jazzing up hostess gifts with these!
Great! I love roasted nuts, although I rarely make them.
I love how beautiful and glazed these look!
Oh wow – these look so incredibly yummy 🙂