Seasoned Smoked Pecans

6     1 hour     Smoke     Pecan

Pecans are my favorite nut to smoke. The roasting not only gives the nuts an additional layer of flavor from the smoke, but also gives the mix a satisfying crunch. Keto dieters, like me, love pecans because they tout a lower carb load than most nuts. I like to go “next level” protein and keto crunch by adding a handful of pork rind pieces to my smoked nuts to make a snack mix.

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

1 pound pecan halves

1. Preheat the smoker to 250°F and add wood.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
3. Fold in the pecan halves and stir until well-coated.
4. Spread the nuts out on a baking sheet in a single layer.
5. Place the baking sheet on the smoker rack and smoke for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove the pecans from the heat and let them stand to dry for 10 minutes before serving.
7. Place in an air-tight container to store.

For a sweet variation, try using maple wood and season the melted butter with the following: 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon all-spice, and 1 teaspoon salt. Smoking time and temperature remains the same. The spice possibilities are endless!