These maple roasted pecans have been on repeat in my kitchen since 2018 when I first made them - and for good reason. Naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and made with just five ingredients and one baking sheet. After 20 minutes in the oven, you'll have perfectly sweet, salty, and crunchy roasted pecans. Toss them on a salad, pile them onto a cheese board, or honestly just eat them straight off the pan.
I love packing these up as a gift for the holidays, they're always a hit! They also make a crunchy and delicious addition to our Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw with apples and cranberries or our Apple and Cranberry Salad with Feta.
Quick Look:
- Recipe Name: Maple Roasted Pecans
- Ready In: 20 minutes
- Serves: 8
- Calories: 200 kcal (approximately)
- Add to Your Shopping List: raw pecan halves
- Dietary Info: naturally sweetened and gluten free
- Baker's Note: These maple roasted pecans are perfect on salads, snack boards, or packaged up as a homemade gift.
Summarize and Save This Content
Jump to:
- Quick Look:
- Summarize and Save This Content
- Why You'll Love This Maple Roasted Pecans Recipe
- Maple Roasted Pecans for Salads
- Key Ingredients
- How to Roast Pecans in the Oven
- Ways To Use Maple Roasted Pecans
- Substitutions and Variations
- Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
- Amanda's Top Tips
- Maple Roasted Pecan Recipe FAQs
- Recipes That Pair Well With Maple Roasted Pecans
- More Maple and Thyme Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
Why You'll Love This Maple Roasted Pecans Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Just 5 minutes of prep and 15 minutes in the oven. No fancy techniques or special equipment needed.
- Naturally Sweetened: Real maple syrup creates that sweet and salty combo without refined sugars.
- Incredibly Versatile: Toss them in salads, add them to a cheeseboard, toss them in lunchboxes or dress them up for a thoughtful and homemade holiday gift.
- Easy to Make Ahead: Batch cook this maple roasted pecan recipe on the weekend and enjoy them all week long! These roasted pecans store beautifully for up to two weeks.
- Perfect for Gifting: Package these in a mason jar with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift during the holidays.
Maple Roasted Pecans for Salads
These maple roasted pecans are one of my favorite salad toppings - they add the perfect amount of sweet crunchiness to any salad. Try them on my strawberry and feta salad or toss them over greens and dress with my Apple Cider Vinaigrette for an easy weeknight salad that feels extra special.
Key Ingredients
- pecans - Use raw pecan halves for this recipe. Raw pecans toast up beautifully and soak up all of that sweet maple syrup.
- olive oil - A coating of olive oil helps the pecans to roast evenly and get that perfectly crispy texture. You can also use melted coconut oil or canola oil.
- maple syrup - This is where the magic happens! Use real, pure maple syrup for this recipe.
- salt and pepper - Work together with the maple syrup to create the perfect sweet and salty snack!
See recipe card for exact quantities.
How to Roast Pecans in the Oven
- Step 1: Combine the pecans, olive oil, maple syrup, salt and pepper. Mix until the pecans are well coated with the syrup.
- Step 2: Arrange nuts on a quarter sheet pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Mix and bake for 5 more minutes.
- Step 3: Remove the pecans from the oven. Give them a quick mix with a spatula and spread them back out.
- Step 4: Allow the pecans to cool completely on the pan. Store pecans in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Hint: Make a double batch - These disappear fast! Double the recipe and bake on a half sheet pan.
"perfect afternoon snack!"
These sweet and salty maple roasted pecans are perfect by the handful or delicious sprinkled over your favorite salad.
Ways To Use Maple Roasted Pecans
I like to keep a jar of these roasted pecans in my pantry at all times. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use them:
Toss Them Into Salads
This is where maple roasted pecans really shine. A handful of these sweet, crunchy nuts instantly turns a basic green salad into something special. A few of my favorites from the blog:
- Apple and Cranberry Salad with Feta and Maple Roasted Pecans - this is the salad that I originally created this recipe for.
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Apple, and Cranberry Salad - my favorite fresh side for fall and holiday meals, this is always a favorite side at Thanksgiving.
- Strawberry Salad with Maple and Thyme Vinaigrette - the perfect spring and summertime salad - the pecans pair beautifully with the fresh berries.
A drizzle of Dijon Apple Cider Vinaigrette ties everything together.
Add Them to a Cheese Board
The sweet and salty crunch is so yummy on a cheese board. Tuck a small bowl of roasted pecans in with some sharp cheddar, creamy brie or a wedge of gouda. They pair especially well with sliced apples or pears, dried cranberries, jam, and a drizzle of honey.
Sprinkle Them Over Breakfast
A small handful on top of yogurt parfaits, oatmeal, a stack of warm pancakes or a slice of French toast -turn a simple breakfast into decadent brunch territory.
Stir Them Into Baked Goods
Chop or break them up and fold them into banana bread, coffee cake, scones, or muffin batter for an extra layer of crunchy, maple goodness. They are also gorgeous sprinkled over a glazed pound cake or frosted layer cake.
Make a Homemade Gift
A small Mason jar of roasted pecans tied up with a ribbon and a hand written tag is one of my favorite hostess and holiday gifts. They stay fresh for at least a month so this is an easy make ahead, homemade gift.
Pack Them Up for On-the-Go Snacking
I like to keep a small container of these in my pantry at all times. They are great for tucking into lunchboxes, backpacks or taking in the car. This is a great afternoon snack and a little more fun than a granola bar.
Substitutions and Variations
- pecans - Want to switch things up? Try roasting raw almonds, walnuts or cashews instead of pecans.
- olive oil - you can use melted butter, canola oil, melted coconut oil or any other neutral oil in place of the olive oil.
- Sweet and Spicy - add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of chili powder or chipotle chili powder with the other ingredients.
- Brown Butter Maple Pecans - brown 2 tablespoons of butter. Add this to the mixture of pecans, syrup and spices.
- Maple Cinnamon Pecans - add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the nut mixture for a warm, cozy version of maple pecans.
- Savory Herb Pecans - Add in one tablespoon of dried savory spices. I recommend a combo of thyme and rosemary. Create a savory version that is perfect for snacking or serving over a salad.
My favorite Brussels sprouts slaw recipe is topped with these sweet and salty maple roasted pecans.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
These maple roasted pecans are perfect for meal prep and planning ahead.
Room temperature storage - Store cooled pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. A mason jar or glass container with a tight-fitting lid works perfectly.
Make-ahead for entertaining - Planning a party or holiday gathering? Make these up to two weeks in advance and store in an airtight container. they're the perfect last minute addition to salads and cheese boards.
Weekly meal prep - I love to make a batch each weekend to have on hand throughout the week. Elevate boring weekday salads from boring to special in seconds.
Amanda's Top Tips
After making these pecans countless times, here are my best tips:
Don't Skip the Parchment Paper - The parchment paper prevents the nuts from sticking to the pan and also makes it easy to move the nuts to a bowl or storage container.
Use real maple syrup - You want to be sure to use pure maple syrup for this recipe. Not table syrup.
Spread them in a single layer - Overlapping pecans won't roast evenly and they will stick together. A single layer works best.
Let them cool completely - The syrup coating will seem a bit soft when the pecans firs come out of the oven. Cooling is when the magic happens and they get crispy.
Make a double batch - These will disappear fast! Double the recipe and use a larger baking sheet if you want extras.
Maple Roasted Pecan Recipe FAQs
Yes! This recipes works well with raw almonds, walnuts, cashews, or any combination of nuts that you prefer. Just keep the total amount of nuts at 2 cups and follow the same instructions.
Yes! As written with the olive oil, this recipe is both vegan and gluten free.
Spread the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and give them a good mix with a spatula right when they are removed from the oven. Rearrange them into a single layer while they are still warm.
Yes! Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger or even a pinch of cardamon or splash of vanilla all pair beautifully with the flavor of the maple syrup.
I've never tested butter when roasting pecans. I use olive oil for this recipe because the flavor is neutral and lets the maple flavor really shine. Any neutral oil will work.
Pecans are naturally rich in healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants, which makes them a healthy and nutritious snack. This maple roasted pecans recipe uses real maple syrup and olive oil rather than refined sugars or butter, so you are getting a naturally sweetened treat made with a heart healthy fat.
Recipes That Pair Well With Maple Roasted Pecans
More Maple and Thyme Recipes You'll Love
📖 Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Maple and Thyme.
Maple Roasted Pecans
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 spatula
- 1 glass container for storage
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° and line a half sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine pecans, olive oil, maple syrup, and salt and pepper. Mix until the nuts are well coated. 2 cups pecans, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Spread the coated pecans onto the prepared pan and drizzle over any remaining liquid.
- Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Mix halfway through.
- Remove pecans from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the pan.
- Once cool, move roasted pecans to an airtight container for storage.
Video
Britt says
These are delicious and so easy to make! Great addition to our salads and I wasn’t sad to have a few left over just to munch on 🙂