Maple Roasted Pecan Butter

This easy homemade pecan butter sweetened with maple syrup and finished with a sprinkle of kosher salt comes together in just a few minutes. 

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Made with only 4 ingredients, this nut butter is perfect spread on toast, as a dip for fruit, and wrapped up with a bow for an easy homemade Christmas gift!

October 22 is National Nut Day – a perfect time to whip up something nutty and delicious like this easy maple roasted pecan butter.

I was also inspired by a trend I’ve noticed lately. There are all sorts of nut butters being sold at gourmet stores and online with enticing names like bourbon peanut pecan butter and almond ginger butter. I wanted in on the fun but not at the $13 for a tiny jar price tag. I thought… why not make my own? I did.

And it was easy. The method I’m sharing took only about 15 minutes.

How to make pecan butter

You will need a food processor or high-powered blender – whipping pecans into a creamy butter takes some power.

If you’re tempted to skip roasting, don’t. Roasting the pecans serves two purposes. It adds incredible depth and flavor. And importantly, processing warm pecans helped me get a smooth and creamy pecan butter without any additional oil.

The longer you roast, the more intense color and flavor you’ll get. Just be careful not to burn the pecans or you’ll end up with bitter butter. Keep an eye on ’em.

Tips for the best homemade pecan butter

Use a good quality food processor or high-powered blender. Whipping pecans into a creamy butter takes some work.

Roast or toast the pecans. Doing this helps provide more depth and flavor, as well as a creamier texture.

Take care not to over blend the pecan butter. Go only to the point where it’s perfectly creamy because just seconds later it will turn into a crumbly paste.

Maple pecan butter makes a perfect homemade holiday gift. Use the small mason jars with a bow. You’re done. Or add some homemade labels for a more personal touch.

What to eat with pecan butter

• spread over warm whole grain bread,
• on fresh apple slices,
• dolloped onto a warm baked sweet potato (my fave!), or
• swirled into a bowl of oatmeal.

How to store homemade pecan butter?

Though leaving the nut butter at room temperature is fine for a few days, if you’re storing it longer you’ll want to refrigerate it. You can store leftover pecan butter refrigerated in an airtight jar for up to a month. If you notice any oil separation – it’s only natural. Just stir it back in and spread away. If you take the room temperature route, store it in a sealed container in a dark, cool spot like a pantry. I like to use small glass mason jars.

How long does homemade pecan butter last?

Homemade pecan butter can last 3-4 weeks or more when refrigerated. It will last only a few days at room temperature. Like other nuts, pecans can go rancid quickly due to the high unsaturated fat content.

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Maple Roasted Pecan Butter

Marisa Moore, RDN

This easy homemade pecan butter sweetened with maple syrup and finished with a sprinkle of kosher salt comes together in just a few minutes. 

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 cups raw pecan halves
• ▢ 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
• ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Roast the pecans in a single layer on a sheet pan for 5 minutes. Stir and roast an additional 3-5 minutes until nutty and slightly browned. Don’t let the nuts burn.
• Add the warm pecans to the food processor bowl. Pulse until the pecans are coarsely ground. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Process on high 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides. Process an additional 3-5 minutes or until smooth and creamy.
• Add the maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon. Process just until incorporated.
• Enjoy the pecan butter on apples, warm bread or muffins or atop a baked sweet potato.

Notes

Tips for the best homemade pecan butter recipe:

• Use a good quality food processor or high-powered blender. Whipping pecans into a creamy butter takes some work.
• Roast or toast the pecans. Doing this helps provide more depth and flavor, as well as a creamier texture. 
• Take care not to over blend the pecan butter. Go only to the point where it's perfectly creamy because just seconds later it will turn into a crumbly paste. 
• Maple pecan butter makes a perfect holiday gift. Use the small mason jars with a bow. You're done. 

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

I have a hard time choosing favorites when it comes to nuts. I love almonds, cashews, pecans, peanuts and pistachios among others. But before I let the decision drive me nutty (ha), I went with what was right outside my door: pecans.

I live in Georgia. Pecan trees are everywhere – all over my neighborhood and even in my backyard. And at this time of year, the nuts are falling like the leaves. (The following is not a pecan tree. Just a pretty one I saw on my walk this afternoon. I love how it’s starting to change color.)