Every fall, there’s one particular ingredient that we get rather excited about that can be used in just about anything; we love cooking and baking with pecans! There’s just something about autumn flavours that we think are taken to the next level so well by these nuts, which give off great flavour and satisfying crunch whether you’re using them for things that are savoury or sweet. Each year, we try to keep our eyes peeled all fall so we can find some new ways to prepare and enjoy the pecans we love so much.
Just in case you love pecans just as much as we do, if not more, here are 15 of the best taking and most unique recipes we’ve come across in this year’s search so far!
1. Butternut squash sweet potato casserole topped with pecans
If we had to pick one favourite fall thing that we get excited to use in the kitchen every year besides pecans, it would absolutely be squash! We’re sure you can imagine how excited we were, then, when we came across this fantastic tasting butternut squash and sweet potato casserole topped with pecans, outlined step by step on Minimalist Baker.
2. Cinnamon pecan pie bars
Would you rather make something sweet as your first annual crack at cooking with pecans? Well, one of our very favourite things to blend our pecans with in sweet dishes has always been cinnamon, so we can’t possibly miss the chance to show you this fantastic recipe from Little Bits of Real Food + Real Talk! They guide you step by step through the process of making cinnamon pecan pie bars that are basically drool-worthy.
3. Old fashioned pecan pie
If you’re going to start cooking with pecans for the first time this fall, would you actually rather make something that’s a little more classic? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Epicurious made this wonderfully classic pecan pie that tastes just like the traditional treat you might have grown up eating at your grandparents’ house.
4. Praline apple bundt cake
Bundt cakes have always been something we adore making because there are just so many ways that you can change their flavour without losing that deliciously dense cake texture you love so much. In the fall, we adore making this mouthwatering praline apple bundt cake from The Recipe Critic that’s made with the perfect amount of crushed pecan for ideal taste.
5. Browned butter pecan cheesecake
We know people who have two different thoughts on cheesecake; those who believe it’s a dish best served in warm weather since it’s a refrigerated treat, and those who love it so much that they’ll happily serve it all year round. We’re the latter! Check out this fantastically fall tasting browned butter pecan cheesecake recipe outlined on Life, Love, and Sugar to understand why.
6. Pumpkin pecan banana bread
Banana bread is another one of those fantastic things that you can always make small flavour changes to without really losing the aspects of it that you love the most, which is why we were so pleased to come across this recipe from A Latte Food! Check out how they made a version that includes pumpkin and pecans for a thoroughly fall tasting experience.
7. Chocolate bourbon pecan pie dip
Have you actually been scrolling through our list hoping to come up with something really unique so that your kids, in particular, can see just how many different ways pecans really can be prepared? Then we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Dip Recipe Creations made this fantastically decadent tasting chocolate bourbon pecan pie dip that tastes wonderful spread on biscuits.
8. Pumpkin pecan baked brie
While you can definitely recognize that all these sweet recipes would be very delicious indeed, are you actually more of a savoury snacks person, so you’ve been holding out for something a little different? Then we think perhaps you’d get along a little better with something like this delicious pumpkin pecan baked brie featured on Damn Delicious!
9. Roasted carrots with candied pecans and goat cheese
If you ask us, there’s no time like the fall to add things to your usual veggie side dishes in order to amp up their flavour and make them taste a little more interesting. That’s why we fell in love with this carrot recipe from Inspired by Charm so quickly! Check out how they added candied pecans and goat cheese into the mix, just to really make things taste grand.
10. Apple pecan arugula salad
Now, just because they’re not heated and warm doesn’t meant that salads can’t also be fall dishes. After all, not everywhere gets chilly weather for fall like we do and salads are also always a great side or appetizer dish in the company of an otherwise hot meal. That’s why we love keeping this apple pecan arugula salad recipe from Minimalist Baker on hand no matter the time of year.
11. Mini maple pecan pies
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about the idea of making homemade pecan pie but you’re hosting a dinner soon and you’d rather make bite-sized or easily shared things that your guests can walk around with and snack on while they socialize? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how they made these mouthwatering mini maple pecan pies, outlined in full detail on Eat Yourself Skinny.
12. Cream puffs with praline sauce and toasted pecans
Perhaps you’re actually quite experienced with making rich, decadent desserts at home, no matter the ingredients, so you’ve been hoping to come across something that’s a little more gourmet, just to give yourself a new challenge? In that case, we think you just might be the perfect person to give these irresistible ice cream filled cream puffs with praline sauce and toasted pecans, as featured on Southern Living, a try!
13. Caramel pecan cheesecake pie
Have you actually been finding yourself caught thinking about how much you love both the pecan pie recipes and the cheesecake recipes, but you just can’t seem to make yourself choose between the two? Well, thanks to recipes like this one from Taste of Home, you actually don’t have to! Check out how they made a delicious combination dish, a caramel pecan cheesecake pie.
14. Pecan pie blondies
Are you actually feeling quite intrigued indeed by the idea of making combination recipes that include all the goodness of pecan pie along with something else? In that case, we think you simply must take a look at how Shugary Sweets made these scrumptiously drizzled pecan pie blondies that are somehow decadently sweet without being too sweet to handle.
15. Apple pecan stuffed pork chops
Just in case you’ve actually been holding out through this whole list in hopes that you’ll find some kind of pecan heavy meat entree, we’re here to reward your patience with this amazingly yummy recipe from Recipes Just 4 U! They guide you step by step through the process of making apple pecan stuff pork chops that basically made us comment on their great taste after every bite.
