Savory Spiced Buttery roasted Pecans, Vegan Friendly (2024)

Savory and buttery with just enough spice, these savory roasted pecans are a delicious bite of lightly spiced, buttery, nutty flavor. They are perfectly used on a plant-based board, as a quick pick-me-up snack, or sent as an elegant and tasty gift.

You are absolutely going to love these savory roasted pecan halves. They were inspired by rosemary spiced mixed nuts which are super delicious too but these buttery pecans focus on the more savory spicy side of things.

I’ve had spiced roasted pecans before that set my taste buds on fire! These are not those pecans. The spices are subtle enough that you will still know you are eating a handful of pecans but very much present enough that you will know you are eating a handful of deliciously seasoned spiced pecans. For sure!

For a sweeter less savory candied nut try oven roasted vegan candied pecans with maple, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Or for a less complicated but equally sweet option, consider stovetop candied pecans. Both winners in my book!

This savory roasted pecans recipe is perfect for snacking, as an appetizer, for a holiday gift, as part of a plant-based charcuterie/snack board, or to top salads.

Reasons you will want to make these delicious roasted pecans

• delicious served fresh, warm, and toasted from your oven…
• yet perfectly served at room temperature as a snack, days later
• a wonderful balance of seasonings
• buttery taste – I use vegan butter
• perfect for holiday gift giving
• add a delicious depth of flavor to salads

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Ingredients needed to make buttery seasoned roasted pecans

• pecan halves
• butter– I use plant butter
• brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce(more about the vegan brand I use below)
• chili powder
• salt
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• smoked paprika
• cayenne pepper

A special note about the vegan-friendly ingredients

If you are here for the savory roasted pecans, then obviously use what you normally do. However, if you are here for the vegan-friendly aspect of this recipe then read on. We are lucky to be living and eating at a time when there are so many options available to us!

The melted butter

Choose a plant butter that tastes delicious enough to eat on its own. And I do recommend stick rather than tub butter for this recipe.

My favorites are Country Crock with Avocado Oil, Myokos Cultured, and Earth Balance. They are all tasty buttery sticks with the right amount of fat to make this savory roasted pecans recipe super tasty.

You could use olive oil instead of melted butter for the fat but you will be missing out on the buttery taste. Olive oil would be delicious and one day I’ll develop a recipe for roasted pecans with olive oil.

Vegan buttery sticks are not unsalted butter, so if you use dairy butter then use regular salted butter.

This is not an oil-free recipe. If you choose to go oil-free you will need to dip the pecan halves into something that will hold the seasonings on during roasting. I suggest aquafaba (the liquid from a can of beans like chickpeas). And be aware that they will not be as toasty. But they will be oil-free:)

Is Worcestershire sauce vegan?

Well, not normally. Worcestershire sauce typically contains anchovies – so no, it is not vegan. You can read more about what goes into Worcestershire sauce in this article by Bon Appetit.

Luckily for us, there are several vegan brands that do not include anchovies or any other animal product. One that I can buy at my grocery store is Organics Brand. As of this writing in the USA, Organics does not contain animal products. This was confirmed by a quick phone call to customer service.

Two brands that you can buy on Amazon that I have personally used and enjoy are Annies, and The Wizards Sauces. There are other brands as well. I would read the reviews and comments section and pick one that works for you.

How to make the best savory roasted pecans

Let’s get to it, shall we? This is a super easy recipe to follow and make. Soon, you’ll be eating your own savory roasted pecans by the handful!

step 1: Prepare

Preheat oven to 255° degrees Fahrenheit. This is a low slow roast. If you cook at a higher temperature the roasted pecans might be done sooner, but there is a chance the seasonings and pecans will have a burned taste.

Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone mat. I personally prefer parchment paper for a super easy clean-up.

You could use foil to line your baking sheet as well. BUT the shine from the foil might affect the baking time and temperature even. If you choose to use foil, check and turn more often than recommended in the recipe card below.

Melt the butter in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. I use the same bowl I will use to mix the other ingredients and toss in the pecans. I start with one minute and then in 20-second increments after that.

Step 2: Mix in the other ingredients

Whisk or stir together the other ingredients. Add the brown sugar while the melted butter is still hot from the microwave. Then add in the Worcestershire sauce, and the other seasonings, the chili powder, salt, garlic and onion powders, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

Stir together until everything is mixed well before adding the pecan halves.

Add the pecans and toss to coat. I strongly suggest you use the best quality pecan halves you can get. The flavor of the roasted nuts is going to come through and if you have low quality or expired nuts, that flavor will come through as well.

Step 3 Roast the pecans

Remember, to avoid a burnt taste, the best-roasted nuts are roasted low and slow. Make sure your oven is already preheated to 255° and that your baking sheet is prepared.

Once coated, spread pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread out evenly into one layer. Place in the preheated oven and set the timer for 15 minutes. You will be baking the pecans for a total of one hour but will need to check and turn them in every 15 minutes.

I realize this is a little labor-intensive to check and turn the coated pecan halves every 15 minutes but it will ensure even roasting time and the best flavor.

When the timer goes off, actually take the pecans on the baking sheet out from the oven and place them on a surface you can work on.

With a spatula, turn the pecans and stir them around. The pecan halves on the edges will start to cook before the ones in the middle so try to change their position around.

Return the baking sheet with the partially roasted pecans to the oven and set the timer again. You will continue to cook and do this two more times.

Final step: Remove from the oven

Take out of the oven and allow to cool slightly on the baking sheet. It is not necessary for these savory roasted pecans to cool completely – oven enough to handle and eat without burning yourself.

These are delicious eaten warm, but as they cool to room temperature and sit the flavors will continue to get better.

Serving suggestions for savory roasted pecans

Go ahead and enjoy some now! If you had plans for using this gently spiced pecans recipe for a special purpose, you may wish you had made a double batch! This recipe would actually be easy enough to double. Just make sure your baking sheet is large enough to handle all of the pecans in a single layer.

If you manage to have any leftovers then store them in an airtight container. You can place your airtight container on the counter or in a cupboard; it doesn’t need to be placed in the refrigerator.

These roasted pecans would make a great little party appetizer or a salad topping. Place in a bowl on a plant-based snack board or give as a gift.

As long as your store your roasted nuts in an airtight container, they should stay fresh for at least a week. Truth be told, they’ve never lasted that long in my house!

For some other easy and tasty snacks from Veggie Fun Kitchen, try

• Cinnamon Apple Dumplings Made in the Instant Pot
• Everything Bagel Popcorn
• Crunchy Granola with Cashews and Coconut
• Pesto Dinner Rolls
• Fresh Fruit Salsa with Watermellon and Mango
• Easy Texas Caviar

The printable recipe card for Savory Savory Roasted Pecans