Pecan is one of the most beneficial dried fruits. It aids in a healthy mind and body. Clinical research has shown that it helps reduce cholesterol levels.
Pecans, when air fried, become the ultimate treat. It’s much better than those ready-made roasted nuts you can purchase at the market. You can season the pecans with butter, cardamom, brown sugar, and cinnamon to make a perfect snack.
These nuts last for months in your pantry. You can eat them as a snack or use them as a topping for your homemade desserts.
In this blog, you’ll learn the details of the recipe for air-fried pecans. I’ll cater to some of the most frequently asked questions too!
Let’s get to it right away!
Ingredients
There are different flavors for pecans; salted, cinnamon, sweet, spicy, and maple rosemary. Here is what you’ll need to make all these yummy flavor pecans in the air fryer.
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
- 1 tbsp melted butter (salted or unsalted)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
Salted Pecans:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ salt
- ¼ paprika
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp sugar
Maple Rosemary Pecans
- ½ tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp Olive oil,
- 1 ½ tbsp maple syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon salt (To taste)
Sweet and spicy pecans
- 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper or black pepper
- 1 tbsp. maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
Variations could be made according to your taste preferences.
How To Cook Pecans in the Air Fryer?
To simply roast the pecans in an air fryer without any seasoning, follow the step-by-step process:
- First, preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. Then, add pecans into the air fryer’s basket in a single layer. Let it air fry for 5 to 8 minutes.
- To make sure that they are roasted evenly, shake the basket halfway through. Cook for an additional 2 minutes for extra roasted nuts.
- Dish out the air-fried pecans, and let them cool for 5–10 minutes. Then store them in an air-tight container.
Salted Pecans
After preheating the air fryer, add salt to the pecans and give them a good stir. Follow the rest of the steps mentioned above for cooking time and temperature.
Maple & Rosemary Pecans
Coat the pecans in a medium bowl with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and chopped rosemary. Later, place them in the air fry and roast for 8 minutes the same way as before.
Cinnamon Pecans
Cinnamon-flavored pecans are made with slight variations. First, we must combine melted butter, cinnamon, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Then add pecans to it and give the proper mix.
Then place them in the air fryer basket and roast them in the same way as mentioned earlier.
Spicy and Sweet Pecans
Mix maple syrup, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and olive oil in a bowl. Coat the pecans with a sweet and spicy mixture and then air fryer them at 350 degrees F for 5 to 8 minutes.
Check out the video to learn how to roast pecans in the air fryer.
Tips
- Using egg white to coat the nuts is entirely your choice. The seasonings adhere to the pecans even without egg white coating. Pecans coated with egg whites are a crunchier texture on the outer surface.
- Generally, pecans are air-fried for 5 to 8 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. The time & temperature may vary depending on the type and size of the air fryer.
- Be cautious of the pecans as they get burned very quickly. Please don’t leave them unattended for too long.
- Allow the pecans to cool down before storing them in the air-tight container. Otherwise, they can become soggy if kept straight out of the air fryer.
- Pecans are non-perishable and can be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Store air-fried pecans in a zip-lock bag or an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. They might become soggy or stale if you store them for more than a month.
Nutritional Information
A single serving of roasted pecans contains almost 373 calories. These calories are a sum of several nutrients, such as:
| Nutrients | Amount (g/mg) |
| Carbohydrates | 7g |
| Proteins | 5g |
| Fat | 39g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Sodium | 291mg |
| Potassium | 203g |
This information is exclusively for air-fried pecans, without any additives or seasonings.
FAQs
Can we reheat dried pecans in the air fryer?
Yes! You can reheat the dried pecans in the air fryer.
You must place your stale pecans in the air fryer basket and heat for 3 to 4 minutes. To avoid burnt or scorched pecans, check on them every 1-2 minutes.
How long should you roast pecans in the oven?
It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to roast pecans in the oven. To roast in the oven, set the temperature to 350 degrees F.
On a baking sheet with a rim, spread the nuts evenly. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring halfway through, or until the nuts start to brown and smell good. Take it out of the oven and enjoy.
What is the difference between roasted vs. toasted pecans?
It’s pretty easy to know the difference between roasted and toasted ones.
Pecans that are fully cooked are known as “roasted” pecans. Cooking in an air fryer or oven produces roasted pecans. Toasting is giving a nut an exterior browning and is typically done on a stovetop.
How long do you soak pecans?
The ideal time to soak the nuts is 8 to 10 hours.
For pecans, soak them in water and cover them with a kitchen towel. Set them aside in a warm and dark area of your kitchen for at least 8 hours.
Then, drain in a sieve, and spread on a stainless steel sheet or dehydrating tray. Later, bake or roast them, keeping an eye on them so they don’t burn.
How do you retain the crispiness of pecans?
All nuts release natural oil when roasted or cooked in a pan. Pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and almonds are no exception.
The moisture in nuts can cause them to become soggy over time. So the best way to retain their crispness is by entirely blotting off the natural oil. With the help of a paper towel, absorb as much moisture as possible before storing them in a container or sealed bag.
How to remove the bitterness of pecans?
The two origins of bitterness in pecan and other nuts are natural tannins in the kernel and bits of corky material. The corky material attached to the seed is the prime habitat of this bitter and sour taste.
To avoid this, wash the kernels before cooking. Cleaning will remove the material that causes bitterness.
Are pecans healthy to eat?
Pecans are rich in many nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, protein, and fatty acids. They reduce the chance of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Moreover, eating a small number of pecans daily can help with weight loss. The protein and fiber in them keep you full for longer.
Even the fat present in pecans is monounsaturated, which is good for our health. It decreases LDL levels, so it should be substituted with food having a high content of saturated fat.
They also help to lower inflammation and maintain a healthy cholesterol level. This ultimately supports your heart health! They have a small glycemic index, which helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Make sure to choose unsalted, dry-roasted pecans rather than candied pecans, which may be heavy in added sugar and fat.
How to Store Pecans in an Air Fryer?
Air-fried pecans can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or zip-lock bags for up to 3 weeks.
Pecans are nonperishable and can be stored at room temperature, but you can chill them if you want.
Keep your pecans at room temperature in a jar or container for 1-2 weeks (if they last that long). I haven’t tried freezing them, but I’m sure they’d keep nicely in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the freezer. Check that the pecans are thoroughly dry.
Making Salt And Pepper Pecans
1 tablespoon oil (pecan, avocado, or canola are acceptable options), 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Pour the oil mixture over 2 cups of raw pecans and toss to coat evenly. Fill the air fryer basket halfway with pecans.
Follow the instructions above – 300 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, I’d like to cater to some essential points;
- Air-fried pecans are a highly nutritious snack offering plenty of health benefits. They help you reduce your illness and risk of several cardiovascular diseases.
- You can have them raw or roasted in an air fryer or oven.
- Roast at 18 degrees Celsius in an air fryer for 5-10 minutes. This will give you golden brown, crispy pecans. However, you can have caramelized pecans too. But that’ll lead to gaining some calories along with elevated sugar levels.
- Hence, we should include pecans in specific amounts in our everyday diet to get their required benefits.