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7 Recipes for Pecan Lovers

Pecans are a staple ingredient of several fall dishes, including everyone’s favorite, pecan pie. However, there are many ways to include pecans in other recipes to enhance the savory, nutty, warm flavor.

Here are seven recipes for pecan lovers to try this fall that doesn’t require a pie dish.

Apple Cinnamon Pecan Butter

Making your own nut butter is probably easier than you think, as long as you have a food processor on hand. 

Roast your pecans on a baking sheet for 4-8 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit, removing them before they burn and allowing them to cool.

In a food processor, process the pecans for 5-10 minutes until creamy — then, add cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt and dried apples and process again until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add one teaspoon of coconut oil at a time until you’ve reached your ideal consistency.

The nut butter can last up to three weeks in the refrigerator if stored tightly and is delicious when smeared over toast, rice cakes and fruit. 

Maple Pecan Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are low in sugar and packed with fiber, making them a healthy breakfast choice to start your day. 

Add skim milk or a dairy-free alternative to a bowl or mason jar. Stir in old-fashioned oats, chopped pecans, flaxseed, chia seeds and maple syrup, ensuring the oats are fully saturated in the liquid.

Store the oats in the refrigerator overnight for up to 36 hours before serving. Be sure to stir the ingredients first, as some might have clumped together. To turn this into a hot meal, microwave for a minute or heat in a saucepan. 

Bourbon Candied Pecans

Bourbon candied pecans are an addictive snack, filling your home with their warm, delectable aroma.  

Set your oven to 250° F and line a baking sheet with foil. Combine sugar, brown sugar, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. 

Whisk together egg, honey, vanilla extract and bourbon in another bowl. Bourbon gets its naturally sweet caramel and vanilla notes from being stored in charred oak barrels until its flavoring matures.

Add the pecans to the liquid mixture to coat them, then remove them with a fork and dip them in the sugar mix. Spread them on the baking sheet and bake for one hour and 15 minutes, stirring them every 20 minutes.

Pecan-Crusted Chicken Sheet Pan 

Pecans are perfect for adding a crunchier texture to baked breaded chicken cutlets. 

Preheat the oven to 400° F and slice a package of chicken breasts into cutlets, trimming the fat. Season each cutlet with salt and pepper and set aside.

Combine breadcrumbs, chopped pecan, salt, thyme and garlic powder in a bowl — then whisk eggs separately. Dredge the cutlets in the egg and coat them with the pecan mixture on both sides. 

Spray a lined baking sheet with cooking spray and place the cutlets on the pan. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway until the chicken cooks through. Serve with roasted vegetables and garnish with parsley.

Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Pecans

Maple-roasted sweet potatoes and pecans are a delicious side dish for a typical Wednesday night or Thanksgiving holiday party. 

Peel and dice sweet potatoes into three-quarter-inch cubes and place them in a casserole dish. 

Melt butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt for 30 seconds in the microwave, stir and pour over the sweet potatoes. Make sure the butter mixture fully coats the sweet potatoes. 

Bake for 20 minutes in the oven at 400° F. While the sweet potatoes are roasting, chop pecans and sprinkle them over the sweet potatoes. Bake for another 15-20 minutes until the potatoes soften and the liquid becomes sticky.  

Caramel Pecan Apple Slices

Were you planning to host an autumn-themed brunch for friends and family or thinking about serving something special for dessert? Caramel pecan apple slices are quick and easy to make.

All you need for this recipe are large sliced apples, brown sugar, butter and chopped pecans.

Cook brown sugar and butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the apple slices for 5-7 minutes until they’re tender. Then, stir in the pecans.

Serve caramel pecan apple slices warm in a bowl or add as a topping over vanilla ice cream or cake. You might even use them as an accompaniment to a pork entree. 

Pear Pecan Crisp

Apples and pecans go together so well that it’s possible to forget about other delicious pecan-fruit pairings, such as pear. Opt for a pear pecan crisp for family and friends to enjoy with a scoop of ice cream or cool whip.

Preheat the oven to 375° F and coat an 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. 

Combine bite-size cut pear pieces, brown sugar, lemon juice, corn starch, cinnamon, vanilla extract and salt into a large mixing bowl — stir well and pour it into the baking dish. In another bowl, stir old-fashioned oats, pecans, brown sugar, flour and butter. 

Sprinkle the topping mixture over the filling mixture in the baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes — the crust should be golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

Pecan Recipes Everyone Will Love

You can infuse nutty, crunchy goodness into any meal by incorporating chopped pecans in the recipe. Whether adding them to overnight oats for breakfast or chicken dishes for dinner, pecans are versatile and enhance all your favorite fall meals and desserts. 

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