Appetizers & Snacks Recipes

Spicy Maple Cinnamon Pecans

I saw a simple recipe last year over at Breastfeed.Babywear.ClothDiaper.Naturally! for Spicy Maple Pecans. I thought it looked interesting so I bookmarked the recipe but then forgot all about it until recently. I found that bookmark a little while ago, and since I had a bag of pecans in my fridge, I decided to give it a try with a couple additions of my own. I love a hint of vanilla so I added some to the maple syrup. The cayenne pepper and a little black pepper give these maple cinnamon pecans a nice kick (but not too spicy for my toddler).

Great googly moogly! These are a-ma-zing!

These delicious spicy maple cinnamon pecans are the perfect treat! #paleo #recipe #dessert

I’ve looked at other recipes for candied nuts before, but they all seem to use so much sugar – whether honey, syrup, brown sugar, or other sweetener. This recipe uses only 3 tablespoons of maple syrup, so it doesn’t shoot my sugar levels through the roof (which is a good thing because I could eat the whole batch myself!). It’s exactly as sweet as it needs to be though – you won’t feel deprived. While not exactly paleo, the moderate sugar content makes it a perfectly acceptable treat once in a while.

Melt two tablespoons of coconut oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add three tablespoons of maple syrup, half a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper, then stir it all up.

Spicy Maple Cinnamon Pecans

Once the mixture starts to bubble, add two cups of pecan halves. Stir the nuts around so they’re well-coated and cook for about five minutes, stirring constantly. Watch them closely to make sure they don’t burn!

Spicy Maple Cinnamon Pecans

Pecans are my favourite, but I’ve made this with raw almonds, walnuts, and cashews as well, so feel free to substitute other nuts as you like. Whole almonds will need about ten minutes to toast all the way through though, so just taste test to see when they’re done.

Once the nuts are nicely toasted (but not burnt!), take the pan off the heat and add three teaspoons of cinnamon, half a teaspoon of sea salt, and half a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Toss the pecans well so they’re evenly coated in the spices. Transfer the pecans onto a piece of wax paper or parchment paper to cool before serving.

These delicious spicy maple cinnamon pecans are the perfect treat! #paleo #recipe #dessert

Pour some into a mason jar for a nice homemade present, or layer them with warm apple sauce on vanilla ice cream. Heaven on earth, I tell you!

Spicy Maple Cinnamon Pecans

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 cups pecans
  • 3 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Melt coconut oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
  • Mix in maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cayenne pepper. When mixture is bubbling, add pecans.
  • Stir pecans well so they're completely coated in the maple syrup mixture. Cook for about 5 minutes being careful that they don't burn.
  • Take the pan off the heat and stir in cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix well so nuts are evenly coated with spices.
  • Transfer pecans onto a piece of wax paper or parchment paper and allow to cool before serving.

Notes

Other nuts work well too. Raw cashews and walnuts can be subbed in with no changes. Whole almonds need a few more minutes to toast all the way through.
Adapted from Breastfeed.Babywear.ClothDiaper.Naturally!
This post is linked up to some fantastic recipe link parties. Check out my Link Parties page to see where I’m linking up and to find some wonderful blogs and more amazing recipes!

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