Cajun Spiced Pecans Snack (Printable)

Crunchy pecans tossed in a bold Cajun spice mix for a savory, flavorful snack.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Nuts

01 - 4 cups raw pecan halves

→ Egg Wash

02 - 1 large egg white
03 - 1 tablespoon water

→ Cajun Spice Mix

04 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
05 - 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk egg white and water in a large bowl until frothy.
03 - Add pecan halves to the egg wash and toss until evenly coated.
04 - Combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
05 - Sprinkle spice mixture over pecans and toss until thoroughly coated.
06 - Spread spiced pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
07 - Bake for 20-22 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and fragrant.
08 - Remove from oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet. Pecans will crisp as they cool.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These pecans strike that perfect balance between sweet and spicy without being overwhelming
  • They come together in under 30 minutes but taste like you fussed over them for hours
  • The egg white trick creates the most incredible crispy coating that actually sticks to the nuts
02 -
  • These nuts continue cooking after they come out of the oven, so pull them when they look slightly lighter than your target color
  • The cooling process is non-negotiable for texture. Warm pecans will feel soft but they crisp up dramatically as they reach room temperature
  • Stirring halfway through prevents the nuts on the edges from burning while the center ones stay pale
03 -
  • Weigh your pecans if possible because 4 cups can vary dramatically depending on how densely they're packed
  • Room temperature egg whites whip up better than cold ones, so take the egg out about 15 minutes before starting

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