Butter Roasted Pecans
Ingredients
2
servings
- 4 cups pecan halves
- 1 stick butter
- 1 tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Melt butter in roasting pan. Place pecans in pan and mix with butter to coat evenly. You can add more butter if needed.
- Roast in oven for 10 minutes then stir; at 20 minutes stir again and sprinkle with salt.
- Roast until desired crispness or pecans start to turn golden brown, about 25-30 minutes total.
- Store in air tight container. Red ground pepper may be added for a piquant taste along with the salt.
Common Problems and Solutions
Q: Why are my pecans getting soggy instead of crispy?
A: Make sure to stir every 10 minutes to prevent butter from pooling. The pecans should be evenly coated but not swimming in butter. If they seem too wet, drain excess butter and continue roasting.
Q: Can I roast pecans at a higher temperature to save time?
A: Stick with 300°F - higher temperatures will cause the butter to burn and the pecans to become bitter before they're properly toasted throughout.
Tips and Techniques
Watch the pecans carefully in the last 5-10 minutes as they can go from perfectly toasted to burnt quickly. They’ll continue to crisp up slightly as they cool, so don’t over-roast.
Ingredient Substitutions
- butter: olive oil or coconut oil
- salt: Cajun seasoning or Tony Chachere's
Equipment Needed
- Roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet
- Wooden spoon for stirring
Historical Context
Pecans are native to Louisiana and the South, and fresh pecan harvests in fall are still a celebrated tradition. Butter-roasted pecans have been a staple appetizer and snack at Louisiana gatherings for generations.
