Bourbon Pecans
Bourbon Pecans come together quickly, use pantry staples, and deliver a snack that works on a cheese board and in a goodie bag.
Candied Bourbon Pecans Recipe
We all know re-gifting store bought food gifts is basically a holiday tradition. But these candied Bourbon Pecans won't make it that far.
My nose loves Candied Pecans almost as much as my stomach does.
If you've ever walked past a ballgame or community event and followed the smell of roasting nuts without even thinking about it, you get it. Most of the time, though, they smell better than they taste -- Not these.
Candied pecans are one of those recipes that earn their keep. They come together quickly, use pantry staples, and deliver a snack that works just as well on a cheese board as it does tucked into a gift bag.
This version leans into deep, toasty flavor with a glossy, crisp coating that clings to every pecan. The result is balanced, not overly sweet, and easy to make ahead - the kind of reliable recipe you'll reach for again and again.
You will keep "checking to make sure they taste good" until the bowl is empty.
No one will be passing them along as a re-gift, instead they will be asking for your recipe.
Ingredients
- Egg White - frothy egg white helps to create the light, crispy coating
- White Sugar - brings sweet crispy to the coating
- Ground Cinnamon - I love the warmth cinnamon brings, but you can mix it up and try other flavors such as a little hint of nutmeg, or a little spice of cayenne pepper.
- Kosher Salt - balances the sweetness
- Bourbon - leaves rich, caramel, and vanilla notes of bourbon to your nuts
- Pecan Halves - these are my favorites, but you can use other nuts such as cashews, almonds, peanuts, or mixed nuts.
See recipe card for quantities.
Need to substitute an ingredient? Ask ChatGPT for suggestions.
How to Make Bourbon Pecans
- Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F. Place parchment paper on a rimmed baking sheet.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white until frothy.
- Add in sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir well.
- Stir in bourbon until completely combined.
- Fold in pecans then spread the pecan mixture on to the parchment covered baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, until bourbon pecans are evenly browned. About 1 hour.
- Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Hint: Don't skip the timer or stirring in this recipe so the nuts brown and crisp evenly.
Substitutions & Variations
- Nuts - instead pecans, try cashews, peanuts, walnuts, mixed nuts, etc.
- Spice - I love the touch of cinnamon in mine, but create a sweet and spicy pecan by adding in cayenne pepper to taste
- Bourbon - you can substitute any whisky you like or use water if you prefer alcohol-free.
- Sweet & Spicy Pecans - Substitute sriracha for the bourbon for Sriracha Pecans.
Storage
Allow the nuts to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container for storage.
You can freeze them for later, by placing them in a freezer safe container. I prefer to eat them within 2 months for freshness.
Top Tip
I like to gift these in a cellophane cone. The cone shape makes a small amount look like more substantial gift. I also often gift them in a small re-used jar such as an olive or jelly jar.
FAQ
I love to snack on them, of course. But they are delicious chopped in my Spinach and Arugula Salad or Roasted Romaine Lettuce Salad.
Or put them on your next charcuterie board and watch them get snatched up.
Absolutely. Just use 1 Tablespoon water and 2 teaspoons of vanilla in place of the bourbon.
Make sure you follow the directions -- set your timer and stir every 15 minutes. Bake them the full 1 hour.
Cooling them completely before storing them is also essential for crunchy pecans.
Absolutely. They will stay crunchy for weeks. If they seem to lose their crunch. Bake them at 250 for 15 minutes.
Yes! These nuts pair nicely with the salty, creaminess of cheeses and add some variety to any charcuterie board.
Have another question? Ask!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Bourbon Pecans:
Share the Love
Leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer you!
And, if you made this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating!
And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!
Bourbon Pecans
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F. Place parchment paper on a rimmed baking sheet.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white until frothy.
- Add in sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir well.
- Stir in bourbon until completely combined.
- Fold in pecans then spread the pecan mixture on to the parchment covered baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, until bourbon pecans are evenly browned. About 1 hour.
- Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
My favorite glazed nuts! I love the depth of flavor the bourbon leaves behind!