Chocolate covered roasted pecans are perfect for just plain eating, topping your favorite ice cream, or gift giving. Whatever your purpose for making them, we’re sure you’ll find our chocolate dipped pecans recipe to be wonderfully delicious. Why these chocolate covered pecans are so good is because they’re made with high quality ingredients and the flavor combination of the pecans and chocolate is just perfect.
Why should you make these homemade chocolate covered pecans?
There are several reasons you should make this delicious recipe for chocolate covered pecans. Here are some ideas:
Simple. Making chocolate covered pecans requires only 5 simple ingredients. And most likely these are ingredients that you’re very familiar with.
Cost efficient. Making homemade gourmet chocolate covered pecans is so much more cost efficient than buying them from a gourmet candy store. You can make these at home for a fraction of the cost.
Great gift recipe. These are the perfect gift idea for anyone who loves chocolate and nuts. By using high quality ingredients, you’ll make a high-quality gift that’s perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s day, Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or literally any occasion. Just add a gift box or bag and it will have a professional appearance too.
Easy. Making easy chocolate covered pecans easy and delicious is literally only a two-part process. You roast the pecans, and then you dip them in melted chocolate. That’s it. It’s quick and easy.
Custom flavors. Another reason you should make this recipe is that you can make so many custom flavors. It’s fun to surprise your recipient with flavors and ingredients that he or she will really enjoy. Just check out our variations and add-ins section to get you started with some ideas.
Other uses. Other than eating them yourself or giving chocolate covered pecans as a gift, they are versatile and have many uses. You can use them as party or wedding favors, delicious ice cream toppings, or however you’d like.
The key ingredient
The key ingredients for these delicious chocolate covered pecans are of course the pecans and the chocolate. We recommend using Ghirardelli chocolate melting wafers.
The dark chocolate flavor provides a wonderful rich outcome. And there are also options of milk chocolate or white chocolate. The quality of this chocolate is key to a top-notch outcome.
Choosing your chocolate
When choosing your chocolate, you might look to other brands or flavors and that’s fine too. Just be sure to choose chocolate that melts well. This will help you achieve a nice, smooth coating on your nuts.
Can I use other flavors of chocolate?
Yes, you can use whatever flavor or whatever brand of chocolate you’d like. You’ll want to keep in mind that white chocolate can be one of the hardest chocolates to work with when melting chocolate. Milk chocolate and peppermint chocolates can also provide delicious results.
What ingredients will I need?
Chocolate covered pecans ingredients include the following quality ingredients:
pecan halves
melted coconut oil or butter
brown sugar or coconut sugar
Ghirardelli dark chocolate melting wafers
sea salt (optional)
Can I use other nuts?
Sure, you can use other chocolate-dipped nuts. You might choose to pair Macadamia nuts, walnuts, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, or any other favorite nut with your pecans. Or you can fully substitute them out if desired.
How to make chocolate covered pecans
There are a variety of ways to make chocolate covered pecans. You can dip a portion of each nut, you can dip the whole nut, or you can make nut clusters.
Follow our step-by-step instructions below in the recipe card directions for the full details.
Partially dipped nuts. Using a set of tongs, grab the tip of each nut and dip the nut in the melted chocolate part way, leaving part of the nut bare. This can be a tedious process, but results in a different look that some people desire.
Faster option. For a faster option, dip whole thing with slotted spoon. In fact, you can load several pecan halves on to your slotted spoon for dipping at the same time. Separate them and place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet to cool. This method is messier but is faster if time is of the essence.
Nut clusters. In this variation it’s important to make sure that each nut in the cluster is touching another nut as it dries. This is what will connect the nuts when the chocolate dries.
How to serve chocolate covered pecans
Wait and serve your chocolate covered pecans after the chocolate has set. Otherwise, you’ll have a tricky mess to manage. If gifting these, we have recommendations for packaging that will help elevate their appearance as a gift.
How to store chocolate covered pecans
There are three ways to store your completed chocolate covered pecans. And choosing which option is best for you boils down to the length of time you’re wanting to store them. Here are the details:
Room temperature. Chocolate covered pecans can be stored at room temperature for up to two days. The ideal room temperature is 70F degrees or less so that your chocolates will set up well and stay set up. We recommend keeping them at room temperature for no more than two days.
Refrigerator. Store your chocolate covered nuts in the refrigerator after the chocolate has set up. Keep them sealed in an airtight container for up to two weeks. We recommend placing layers of parchment paper or wax paper in between to keep them from sticking together.
Freezer. Store them in the freezer for up to two months. Keep them in an airtight container or sealed zipped freezer bag in the freezer for the ultimate freshness. We recommend using pieces of parchment paper or wax paper between each layer. Chocolate covered pecans straight from the freezer taste delicious and are perfect for topping ice cream.
Expert tips and tricks
- Be sure to coat the pecans in coconut oil or butter and sugar before roasting. This will give an added dimension of flavor that is wonderfully delicious.
- Be careful not to heat the chocolate too high or too long as it will seize up, causing you to have to throw it away. Melt it on low heat slowly, for the best results.
- Allow the chocolate to fully harden before storing or serving.
- For best long-term results, store your chocolate covered pecans in an airtight container on the freezer to keep them fresh.
How to serve and store
The best way to serve chocolate covered pecans is after the chocolate has hardened. Allow it adequate time to set up before storing or serving.
For storage after two weeks, we recommend keeping your chocolate covered nuts in the refrigerator. This will maximize their freshness for up to 2 months.
Topping variations and add-ins
There are so many topping variation and add-in possibilities that you can use when making your chocolate covered pecans. We like to think about our recipient and then custom make them according to what we think our recipient will be fond of. Here are some possibilities for topping variations and add-ins:
Other flavors of chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate
Sea salt
Cinnamon
Sprinkles
Raisins
Dried fruit pieces, such as cherries, blueberries, cranberries
Toasted coconut flakes
Other varieties of nuts chopped or whole
Cayenne pepper
Pretzel pieces
Rolo candy
Heath bar
Butterfinger pieces
How to make chocolate covered pecans
To make chocolate covered pecans, you’ll want to gather the ingredients. For the best results, be sure to use quality ingredients such as those mentioned in our recommended ingredients section. Roast the pecans and then dip them in melted chocolate. Allow them to cool and set before serving. Wanting to know how to make this recipe? Just follow the step-by-step directions for making chocolate covered pecans.
Recommended Equipment:
Parchment paper
Double boiler pan
Baking sheet
Slotted Spoon
Tongs
Ingredients and substitutions
3 cups pecan halves
3 tablespoons melted coconut oil or butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar
Pinch sea salt
6 oz Ghirardelli dark chocolate melting wafers
Directions
Following are the instructions for how to make chocolate covered pecans. Using these step-by-step instructions will result in crispy and tasty pecans perfectly coated in delicious, rich chocolate.
Roasting The Pecans:
- Preheat oven to 325F degrees.
- Melt the coconut oil or butter in a saucepan. Add sugar. Stir in pecans until they’re coated evenly.
- Transfer onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes.
The Chocolate Coating:
- Prepare chocolate coating by melting Ghirardelli chocolate melting wafers in a double boiler pan.
- Dip pecan halves into melted chocolate.
- Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet to cool.
- Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt if desired.
- Allow chocolate to fully set before serving. Enjoy.
Nutrition Facts
The nutrition information for this recipe is estimated below. Please note that nutrition information will vary based on ingredients and brands. We’ve estimated this recipe to have 2 servings and each serving size is approximately 673 calories. Please estimate your nutrition facts based on the ingredients you intend to use.
Calories 673
Total Fat 51.4g
Saturated Fat 25.3g
Cholesterol 13mg
Sodium 166mg
Total Carbohydrates 50.8g
Dietary Fiber 4.6g
Total Sugar 43.5g
Protein 7.1g
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are frequently asked questions related to making easy chocolate covered pecans. If you have a question that’s not listed here, feel free to drop it in the comments box below and we’ll be happy to answer it.
Are chocolate covered pecans healthy?
Chocolate covered pecans can be healthy. If you use dark chocolate which tends to be packed with trace minerals, you’re giving your body added iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and phosphorus. Dark chocolate can also add protective plant compounds to one’s diet.
How do you store chocolate covered nuts?
The best way to store chocolate covered nuts is to wait until after the chocolate has set up. And then place them in a sealed airtight container with layers of wax or parchment paper to keep the chocolate covered pecans from sticking together. Store them on the kitchen counter for up to 2-3 days and then move them to the refrigerator or freezer for a lengthened shelf life.
Do they need to be refrigerated?
It depends on the length of time you plan to store them and the room temperature. If you plan to store them for more than 3 days, or if the room temperature is more than 70F degrees, you should store them in the refrigerator or freezer.
Can I skip the roasting step?
We don’t recommend skipping the roasting step as that valuable step helps to add flavor as well as crispness to your pecans. It’s an important step and skipping it can alter the outcome of your final product.
Are they Keto and low carb?
To make Keto chocolate covered pecans, use a brown sugar alternative as well as sugar free chocolate chips. If you want to know why pecans are the perfect nut to eat on the Keto diet, it’s because they have 1 gram of net carbs per recommended serving.
Are they Paleo?
To make Paleo chocolate covered pecans, use dairy free chocolate chips.
Can you freeze them?
Yes, freezing your chocolate covered pecans helps to lengthen shelf life. You can store them in the freezer for up to 2 months without losing quality. They are quite delicious eaten straight from the freezer.
Can I use this recipe to make milk chocolate pecan halves?
Yes, you can use milk chocolate to make chocolate covered pecans, white chocolate also works, as well as any kind of chocolate that melts well.
Can I use macadamia nuts instead of pecans?
You sure can. Macadamia nuts taste delicious covered in chocolate.
Can chocolate covered pecans be frozen?
Yes, freezing them helps to lengthen shelf life and they also taste delicious when eaten directly from the freezer.
Can I add flavoring to the chocolate?
Yes, you can add flavoring, however we recommend adding dry flavors such as cinnamon powder, as some liquid flavors can cause your chocolate to seize.
How can I add flavors?
Additional flavors such as freeze-dried fruit, salts, sprinkles are wonderful limitless ideas for adding flavoring without seizing your chocolate.
Why are these chocolate covered pecans so good?
This recipe for chocolate covered pecans is so good because of the process used to make them include roasting them as well as the use of quality ingredients in the Ghirardelli chocolate. They’re so good and so quality, we’d consider them gourmet.
What is the best chocolate with nuts?
The best and our favorite chocolate to use is Ghirardelli chocolate melting wafers. It provides a rich flavor that’s just top quality. You won’t regret using it. Can you use other chocolate too, of course, any chocolate that melts well can be used.
How many calories are in dark, milk, or white chocolate-covered pecans?
We estimate that 1 ounce serving of dark chocolate-covered pecans is approximately 220 calories.
Please note that our nutrition facts are estimates and that nutrition information will vary depending on the ingredients used. You should calculate nutrition information based on the specific ingredient brands you intend to use.
How can I serve or gift chocolate-covered pecans?
There are a variety of ways you can serve your chocolate covered pecans. Make sure they’ve had a chance to fully set up before serving them. They can be served in a small bowl or in a tall stem glass or in a cone shaped paper or on a plate.
When gifting chocolate covered pecans, consider making them special in appearance. You can place them in a gift box such as the ones we’ve linked to, or use a clear plastic bag tied with a pretty ribbon.
How long do chocolate covered pecans last?
When storing chocolate covered pecans, the location of where they’re stored will determine how long they’ll last. Without compromising quality, they will last 2 months freezer, 1 month in the refrigerator, and 2 days at room temperature that is 70F degrees or cooler.
When storing, they should be placed in an airtight container layered with wax paper or parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
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Chocolate Covered Pecans
Equipment
- parchment paper
- double boiler pan
- baking sheet
- slotted spoon
- tongs
Ingredients
- 3 cups pecan halves
- 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil or butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar
- Pinch sea salt
- 6 oz dark chocolate
Instructions
Roasting The Pecans:
- Preheat oven to 325F degrees.
- Melt the coconut oil or butter in a saucepan. Add sugar. Stir in pecans until they’re coated evenly.
- Transfer onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes.
The Chocolate Coating:
- Prepare chocolate coating by melting Ghirardelli chocolate melting wafers in a double boiler pan.
- Dip pecan halves into melted chocolate.
- Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet to cool.
- Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt if desired.
- Allow chocolate to fully set before serving. Enjoy.
Notes
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