This collection of the best pecan recipes the South has to offer is full of easy sweet and savory dishes that you'll want to make today!
A couple weeks ago Hurricane Zeta blew through the South causing devastation, but as we know, every cloud has a silver lining. When the storm had passed and the downed trees were cleared and the power was finally turned back on, we noticed something beautiful.
The pecans on the trees in the area that had fully ripened before the storm, had all been blown out of the trees by the wind!
Those wonderful Southern treasures that inspire so many great pecan recipes, littered the ground.
My dad went out immediately and started picking up under the pecan trees… by the end of the next week he had gathered 75 lbs (and only stopped there because he ran out of room to store them) and hauled them off to be shelled.
What a blessing to find after such a terrible storm!
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Being a Southern food blog, pecan recipes are as easy to find on our website as are those with bourbon or those cooked in a cast iron skillet. But with so many pecans at our disposal, we needed to compile a list of those pecan recipes in one convenient place.
So gather up your crunchy pecans and discover some new ways to use their nutty flavor with these easy recipes.
Pecan Desserts
I thought I’d start off with the most common use of pecans… in desserts! The extra crunch they add to desserts can’t be beat and they take an every day recipe and just make them feel like they were made for the fall.
Here are our favorite delicious pecan recipes for dessert:
Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie
This Classic Southern Style Pecan Pie recipe has been in our family over fifty years. You know it has been tested and approved by many.
You won't find anything fancy here... Just chopped pecans and that sweet buttery goodness in a simple pie crust.
With the holiday season coming up, you'll want to save the recipe for this sweet treat.
Ice Cream with Brown Butter and Pecan Brittle
This simple ice cream with brown butter and pecan brittle recipe is loaded with flavor. The proportions are just right for the small Cuisinart ice cream maker, but can be adjusted for the size you have.
If you come across pecan brittle this fall, you have to make this ice cream!
Peach Crumble with Butter Pecan Topping
Nothing satisfies a Southern sweet tooth like a peach crumble with butter pecan topping.
This dish is perfect for the end of summer and beginning of fall in the South when we still have peaches but the pecans are coming in.
Sweet Potato Cake with Pecan Praline Icing
This Sweet Potato Cake with Pecan Praline Icing is the perfect fall dessert. Like most things, cooking it in an iron skillet makes it even better!
The distinct taste of sweet potatoes comes together with the pecan pralines icing to create something beautiful.
Apple Cheesecake with Pecans
Apple cheesecake with pecans is a favorite of both our family and our readers. Apples & pecans come together to make a beautiful crowd-pleaser that you'll get asked to make year after year.
This pecan dish is perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bites
Two favorites are rolled into one mini dessert in these easy Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bites.
These are perfect to serve on a holiday dessert platter or buffet with other sweet treats.
Brown Butter Pecan Cookies
The best brown butter pecan cookie recipe is one that is also easy!
In no time at all you'll have chewy, buttery cookies coming out of the oven.
Homemade Chocolate Covered Pecans
An amazingly easy recipe for chocolate covered pecans uses just 4 ingredients.
Easy candied pecans covered in dark or milk chocolate make the perfect from-the-heart gifts for any occasion or no occasion at all!
Grilled Peaches with Toasted Pecans and Ice Cream
These grilled peaches are the perfect healthy dessert! Topping them with ice cream and toasted pecans might make them a bit less healthy, but no less delicious!
Sweet Potato Praline Pie
Sweet Potato Praline Pie is a delicious not-too-sweet dessert that was just made for the Thanksgiving table.
Serve it with homemade whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Charleston Chewies
This Charleston chewy recipe is for those delectable treats also known as Pecan Chewies, Pecan Chews, or Pecan Squares.
Whatever name they're called, these simple sweet pecan bars are well loved for their buttery flavor and pure, simple ingredients.
Appetizer Recipes and Side Dishes with Pecans
Pecans aren’t just for dessert… these appetizer and side dish ideas are perfect for holiday get-togethers!
Pecan-Encrusted Pimento Cheese Ball
This heavenly Pimento Cheese Ball has a southern flair with pimento cheese and pecan pieces.
It can be rolled in a variety of ingredients, giving each one a unique look and taste.
Baked Camembert with Honey, Pears, and Pecans
For a super simple but elegant appetizer, put together baked camembert with honey and add pears and pecans.
Easily make it your own with different fruits and nuts and serve it at your next dinner party!
Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots
Over the top impressive honey brown sugar carrots have a slightly sweet flavor and super easy to make.
They're topped with chopped pecans and feta cheese for additional punches of flavor!
Sweet and Spicy Candied Pecans
These sweet and spicy candied pecans are so incredibly easy to make and have a unique flavor that is downright addictive!
A cumin, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup spice mixture lends a distinct flavor to these pecan halves and they're ready in just 20 minutes after spreading them in a single layer on parchment paper and a baking sheet.
These are perfect for a snack or for serving on a charcuterie board so make a big batch!
Fall Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
A tangy apple cider vinaigrette is the perfect topping for fall salad.
Sprinkled over a salad is one of our favorite ways to use pecans! This fall salad also has apples and pomegranate seeds.
Breakfast Recipes with Pecans
Adding pecans to your breakfast is the easy way to add a little crunch to your morning. You'll love our favorite recipes for breakfast with pecans!
Banana Buttermilk Pancakes with Pecans
Banana Buttermilk Pancakes have toasted pecans and an optional splash of bourbon that send them over the top. If you're looking for some extra pecan flavor, top them with our Homemade Butter Pecan Syrup.
You'll have them on the breakfast table in no time!
Hummingbird Muffins
Hummingbird Muffins have all the flavors of the classic southern cake by the same name. They're only a little bit sweet even with the cream cheese glaze, which makes them perfect for breakfast or brunch!
If you love this recipe filled with pineapple pecans, banana, and coconut, check out our hummingbird bread, too!
Apple Cider Coffee Cake
Apple Cider Coffee Cake is moist and sweet with a pretty glaze.
It stirs up in just minutes, and is the perfect breakfast treat along with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk.
Main Dish Pecan Recipes
We love pecans in main dishes, too! Our favorite nuts add a little crunch and a distinct Southern flair to any dish.
Chicken Salad with Apples and Pecans
You'll love this chicken salad with pecans and apples and it's extra easy when made with rotisserie chicken.
One unexpected ingredient makes it mouthwatering!
Pecan Crusted Catfish
We loved Pecan-Crusted Catfish as a far healthier version than traditional fried catfish.
In fact, I think it would be delicious with pretty much any fish of your choice.
If you make any of our recipes we'd love for you to leave us a comment and star rating. If you're into sharing your creations, snap a photo and tag us when you post it to Facebook or Instagram.
Ty says
Thank you so much for this collection of recipes; makes it easier to find!
Pam says
Enjoy!
Luci says
All these pecan recipes look delicious! I'm a huge fan of pecan pie so I'll be trying that one out first! I've always loved the added crunch from the pecans so you can't go wrong with adding them to any dessert!
Pam says
Thanks, Luci! As you can see from our collection we love using pecans in a lot of recipes - not just desserts!
Emmeline says
Such a great compilation of pecan recipes! My dad loves them so I will definitely cook up some of these for him once we can hang out again!
Pam says
Thanks, Emmeline! I hope you get to spend time with your dad soon.
Toni Dash says
This is such a great list!! Thank you! They all look delicious!
Pam says
Thank you, Toni!
Beth says
We adore pecans! Can't wait to try them all!
Pam says
Hope you enjoy!