How to Roast Pecans in the Oven
Pecan nuts are very versatile and used in everything from cakes, cookies, pies, and other baked goods, to things like salads and even drinks. However, pecans taste just as good on their own, and the perfect way to cook them is by roasting them in an oven, to bring out their natural sweetness and flavour.
While roasted pecans are available in most stores, the activity of roasting your pecan nuts yourself can be cheaper, more satisfying, and results in roasted pecans that are fresher and more delicious than any store-bought variety.
Things Required:
– Pecan nuts
– An oven
– A microwave oven
– A baking tray
– A baking sheet
– A small bowl
– 1 tbsp. butter
– Cooking spray
Instructions
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1
Firstly, start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You need to have the oven nice and hot by the time you slide in the nuts, so leave the oven to preheat while you move on to prepping the other things you will need for roasting the pecans.
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2
Now, while the oven is heating up, spread your baking sheet over the baking tray, and spray it with a thin layer of cooking spray. Do not use too much of the cooking spray – this will result in unnecessary grease and oiliness, which can be very unpleasant. Remember – pecan nuts have their own natural oils too.
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3
Next, take a tablespoon of butter (salted or unsalted, as per your preferences), put it in a small bowl, and put it in the microwave to melt it. Once it is melted, throw in the pecans, and toss them in the melted butter until all the nuts are evenly coated.
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4
Spread the nuts out onto the baking tray in an even layer. Do not bunch them together, and do not allow there to be multiple layers of nuts on the baking tray – the nuts need to be spread out in a single layer, to allow for even and efficient roasting.
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5
Then, slide the tray into the oven, and allow the nuts to roast for around 5 to 8 minutes. There is no specific time in which the nuts will be done, so let your eyes and noses be the guide. Once the pecans turn a lovely nutty brown, and their roasted smell starts to permeate the entire kitchen, take them out of the oven. Finally, allow the roasted pecans to cool before eating them.
