Whether served as a snack, party food, or dessert, buttery chocolate covered pecans are an easy, healthy, and satisfying treat, and they're ready in 30 minutes. Make an extra batch of this salty-sweet combination for homemade holiday gifts!
There's something about the holiday season that makes me crave all types of nuts. They feel so festive, reminding me of holiday parties and gatherings. When I want a bite-sized snack that's also healthy and quick to make, I reach for these chocolate covered pecans.
They hit all the right notes: super easy (just 2 ingredients!), festive, nutty, chocolaty, crunchy, salty, and sweet. If you've ever dipped anything into melted chocolate before, you can make this recipe!
Add chocolate pecans to your holiday cookie platter, along with chewy old fashioned ginger snap cookies, chocolate pecan bark, rosemary lemon shortbread, and old fashioned peanut butter balls.
Make an extra batch to give as holiday gifts - fill up your favorite holiday tin, or place chocolate dipped pecans into a cellophane bag and tie with a beautiful ribbon.
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⭐️ Why This Recipe Is The Best
- Crunchy, salty, and sweet
- Makes a healthy bite-sized snack; naturally gluten-free with vegan option
- Festive and beautiful homemade gift for the holidays or anytime
- Easy 2-ingredient recipe that doesn't require any baking or special equipment
- Creamy, buttery pecans and velvety dark chocolate
- Use them as a fun topping for easy turtle pie (no bake)
🍫 Ingredient Notes
- Pecans - I love eating these rich, buttery nuts around the holidays. They are packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, and are full of nutrients like magnesium and potassium. Use them to make butterscotch pecan pie, chewy chocolate chip pecan cookies and spiced candied nuts.
- Dark chocolate - A good source of antioxidants, and if you eat dark chocolate with high cocoa content, it's very healthy and nutritious. For this recipe, use your favorite bar of dark chocolate.
- Flaky sea salt (optional) - I love the extra pop of saltiness that flaky sea salt (or "finishing salt") gives to baked goods and sweets. If you don't prefer this flavor, you can skip this ingredient.
📖 Variations & Substitutions
- Chocolate. Use milk chocolate, white chocolate, or a combination of both.
- Cinnamon. Add a pinch of cinnamon to your melted chocolate for a hint of warm spice.
- Dip pecans completely into chocolate. Use a fork to fully immerse them.
- Make pecan clusters. Place 4 or 5 pecans into melted chocolate and transfer them onto baking sheet in a cluster.
- Make vegan: Use your favorite brand of vegan dark chocolate.
- Orange chocolate pecans. Add a pinch of grated orange zest to your melted chocolate for bright citrus flavor.
- Make sugar-free: Use sugar-free chocolate for sugar-free chocolate pecans.
- Chocolate chips. Use your favorite brand of chocolate chips in place of chopped chocolate.
🔪 How To Make This Recipe
*For printable instructions, see recipe card below
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place toasted and cooled pecans in a bowl.
Place dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments in the microwave, stirring with a rubber spatula after each increment. Repeat this process until chocolate is almost completely melted. When it's at this stage, continue to stir until all of the chocolate is completely melted. Set aside.
Dip pecans one at a time halfway into melted chocolate. Tap lightly against the side of bowl to remove excess chocolate. Place dipped pecans on baking sheet and sprinkle with flaky salt (if using).
Your chocolate should set in less than 5 minutes. If chocolate still hasn't set (hardened) by the time you are done dipping all of your pecans, stick baking sheet in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
👩🏼🍳 Expert Tips
- How to store: Place pecans in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If your kitchen is warm, store them in the refrigerator.
- How to freeze: Place in a freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place them on your kitchen counter until they come to room temperature. (Freezing your pecans is the best way to keep them fresh)!
- Use high-quality (fresh) pecans and chocolate. Since this recipe is just 2 ingredients, we want to use the freshest ingredients possible.
- How to toast pecans: Place raw pecans into a 350 degree F. preheated oven for 10 minutes. I highly recommend toasting your pecans for this recipe. When you toast any type of nuts, it deepens their flavor.
- Chocolate-dipping tip: Your chocolate should set in less than 5 minutes. If chocolate still hasn't set (hardened) by the time you are done dipping all of your pecans, stick baking sheet in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
If you enjoy them in moderation, chocolate covered pecans are healthy. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and is low in sugar, and pecans are nutrient dense and heart healthy.
Dip pecans one at a time halfway into melted chocolate. Tap lightly against the side of bowl to remove excess chocolate. Place dipped pecans on baking sheet and sprinkle with flaky salt (if using).
Place 4 or 5 pecans into melted chocolate and transfer them onto baking sheet in a cluster.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Chocolate Covered Pecans Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups toasted pecans, cooled
- 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (1 chocolate bar)
- flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place toasted and cooled pecans in a bowl.
- Place dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments in the microwave, stirring with a rubber spatula after each increment. Repeat this process until chocolate is almost completely melted. When it's at this stage, continue to stir until all of the chocolate is completely melted. Set aside.
- Dip pecans one at a time halfway into melted chocolate. Tap lightly against the side of bowl to remove excess chocolate. Place dipped pecans on baking sheet and sprinkle with flaky salt (if using).
- Your chocolate should set in less than 5 minutes. If chocolate still hasn't set (hardened) by the time you are done dipping all of your pecans, stick baking sheet in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
Notes
- How to store: Place pecans in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If your kitchen is warm, store them in the refrigerator.
- How to freeze: Place in a freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place them on your kitchen counter until they come to room temperature. (Freezing your pecans is the best way to keep them fresh)!
- Use high-quality (fresh) pecans and chocolate. Since this recipe is just 2 ingredients, we want to use the freshest ingredients possible.
- How to toast pecans: Place raw pecans into a 350 degree F. preheated oven for 10 minutes. I highly recommend toasting your pecans for this recipe. When you toast any type of nuts, it deepens their flavor.
- Chocolate-dipping tip: Your chocolate should set in less than 5 minutes. If chocolate still hasn't set (hardened) by the time you are done dipping all of your pecans, stick baking sheet in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
Kelly
I decided to take the easy route and make salted pecan clusters for holiday gifts this year. They were so easy! I made a few for myself too and I'm so glad I did. Happy holidays!
Gastronotherapy
Yay, so glad you enjoyed them, Kelly! One of the things I love about this recipe is that it's so versatile - you can dip the pecans, coat them completely, or make clusters. Happy Holidays to you, too! 🙂