With December right around the corner, these Chocolate covered pecans start coming to mind for snacking on weekdays and holiday gatherings. Last winter, I made over 5 batches because everyone loved their sweet and salty crunch so much!
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This delicious treat is a quick and easy dessert that’s ready in under 30 minutes, ideal for every dessert table and party. My daughter's always in charge of dipping them in chocolate and sprinkling with salt! She says they're her "favorite treat!"
For more festive sweets, try my Edible Sugar Cookie Dough, 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookie Fudge or Espresso Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies. They'll be a hit with everyone. Now let’s make these sweet pecans!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Covered Pecans Recipe
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- How to Make Chocolate Covered Pecans with Flaky Sea Salt
- Variations
- Serving Suggestions & Food Pairings for Chocolate Covered Pecans
- Storage Tips
- Top Tips for Chocolate Covered Pecans
- FAQs
- Related
- Pairing
- Easy Chocolate Covered Pecans (Only 3 Ingredients!)
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Covered Pecans Recipe
This chocolate pecan recipe is a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing snack for holiday parties or cozy nights in! It's simple to make and easy to share.
Super fast: Ready in about 25 minutes with minimal prep.
Sweet and salty: A sprinkle of salt balances the chocolate's richness for the perfect flavor combination.
Giftable: Package in a cellophane bag or a cute gift tin for friends and family.
Versatile: Use your favorite type of chocolate or make clusters.
Ingredients and Substitutions
This delicious snack comes together with just 4 ingredients! Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full instructions with ingredient amounts.
- Pecan halves: Store-bought toasted pecans save you prep time. Avoid chopped pecans because they're harder to handle and take longer to coat in chocolate.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Feel free to use roughly chopped semi-sweet chocolate instead.
- Unsalted butter: Adds a glossy look to the melted chocolate.
- Flaky sea salt: You can also use Maldon sea salt for a gourmet look.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Pecans with Flaky Sea Salt
This sweet-salty pecan recipe is a breeze to whip up! Toast, dip, and sprinkle for a tasty treat everyone will love.
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast pecans on a baking sheet for 7–8 minutes until fragrant, then cool slightly.
2. Step 2: Melt chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
3. Step 3: Dip each pecan halfway into the chocolate, let excess drip off, place on parchment, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Let set 20–30 minutes or chill briefly to firm up.
Variations
These 4-ingredient chocolate pecans are perfect for the holiday season! Try these yummy twists depending on what you've got at home or are craving:
Add a white chocolate drizzle: Let the semi-sweet chocolate on the pecans set, but don't add salt yet. Melt ½ cup white chocolate chips with ½ teaspoon unsalted butter in a small bowl until smooth. Use a fork or spoon to drizzle it on top. Sprinkle with salt and let set.
Swap the chocolate: Use milk chocolate, white chocolate, or rich dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips for an easy variation.
Make clusters: Gently pinch 2-4 pecans together and dip half of the cluster into melted chocolate. Place on parchment paper (with the pecans slightly overlapped), sprinkle with salt, and let set.
Swap the nuts: It's the same operation for walnuts, almonds, and even cashews. Make it vegan: Make this a plant-based recipe by using vegan chocolate and swapping the butter for coconut oil.
Pop of color: Grab ¼ cup holiday sprinkles and sprinkle them over the melted chocolate along with the salt.
Serving Suggestions & Food Pairings for Chocolate Covered Pecans
These chocolatey pecans make a great snack and seasonal gift! Here are our favorite ways to enjoy them:
- Serve with hot cocoa or my Slow Cooker Mulled Wine for an easy treat.
- Add to a dessert table with my White Chocolate Covered Oreos, Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies and Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake.
- Place on a sweet and savory charcuterie board with my Cranberry Jalapeno Salsa or Turkey Roll-Ups, cold cuts, grapes, sliced cheese, mini pretzels, and dried cranberries.
- Package in small bags and tins for friends and family.
- Enjoy with my Healthy Brownie Batter Dip, 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookie Fudge, or Cookies and Cream Popcorn for a full-on snack session.
Storage Tips
Prepping these chocolate pecans ahead of your event or saving extras? Here’s how to keep them fresh and crunchy:
Counter
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Keep away from direct heat and sunlight.
Refrigerator
Place in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. Bring down to room temperature before serving.
Top Tips for Chocolate Covered Pecans
These tips and tricks will ensure your chocolate-covered pecans with flaky salt are a holiday hit every time:
Make it a no-bake recipe: Toasting the pecans enhances their crunch and nuttiness, but you can skip the step if you're short on time.
Keep utensils dry: Moisture can seize melted chocolate, so use dry tools to keep your mixture smooth and glossy.
Work quickly: Add salt while the chocolate is still wet to ensure it sticks. Once the chocolate sets, the salt won't adhere.
Flash set the chocolate: Refrigerate the chocolate-coated pecans for 10–15 minutes to set the chocolate faster.
FAQs
Here’s what other home cooks and snack-lovers are asking about these sweet-and-salty pecans!
Yes! Swap pecans for walnuts, almonds, or cashews for variety.
Absolutely! Any type of chocolate works for a different flavor.
Yes! Use coconut oil and vegan chocolate chips.
Package in a cellophane bag or gift tin. They'll keep at room temperature for up to 2 weeks in case you need to ship them.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Chocolate covered pecans recipe:
These chocolate pecans are one of our favorite ways to share a delicious treat with loved ones during the holidays! Share your creations on social media with Hungry Whisk, and don’t forget to subscribe for more festive recipes and recipe cards. Happy holidays!
Easy Chocolate Covered Pecans (Only 3 Ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for 7–8 minutes until fragrant. Cool slightly.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and butter. Heat in 20-second bursts, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
- Hold each pecan by one end with a fork or tweezer or simply with fingertips. Dip halfway into the melted chocolate, letting excess drip off.
- Place on parchment paper and immediately sprinkle flaky sea salt over the chocolate-coated part.
- Let sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes or until firm. You can refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to speed it up.
Notes
Nutrition
Madhu (Author) says
I'm seriously obsessed with how easy these are to pull off, especially during the crazy holiday rush. It's just a couple of minutes of work for a treat that looks super elegant, and the secret is that little sprinkle of flaky salt to balance out the sweet chocolate. If you give them a go, tell me what you're serving them with! Are they making it into a gift box or are they just a snack for yourself? (No judgment here! 😉)
Courtney says
I love pecans, especially during this time of the year, so I knew I needed to try these! They were so easy to make yet so delicious! They definitely disappeared way too fast so I know I'll be making them again soon.
Madhu (Author) says
Thanks so much for trying the recipe and for letting me know how much you enjoyed them! Happy baking!