Pecan meal and pecan flour are made from nicely ground up pecan nuts. A finer grind produces the pecan flour. The larger pieces, also referred to as flakes are what makes up pecan meal.
Did you know you can use pecan meal the same way you would typically use flour? For baked goods or breading meat, pecan meal can help boost the delicious flavor of your food. It’s also a healthy alternative to the classic options. If you are worried about an overwhelming nutty punch, please don’t. Pecan meal and pecan flour add a light flavor for a subtle twist to any recipe.
Pecan meal has some impressive nutritional facts. It contains roughly 1.5 grams of protein per tablespoon or 2 grams of protein per ounce. This is significantly higher than your traditional all-purpose flour. Since pecan meal is made from the pecan nut, it’s naturally gluten-free. It also contains moderate levels of vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
Pecan nuts are an excellent source of fiber and pecan meal is no different. Just two tablespoons of pecan meal contain at least 2 grams of dietary fiber. That is roughly eight percent of your daily nutritional needs. It’s also a great choice for natural carbohydrates and healthy fats. Pecan meal is made when pecan nuts are chopped into smaller pieces.
How to Create Your Own Pecan Meal
For a hearty substitute to flour or breading ingredients, round up your favorite pecan nuts and grind them up to make pecan flour. Using a food processor would be the easiest and quickest way to make pecan flour. If you don’t have a food processor, a blender can work. You just have to use smaller amounts, which may take longer but can produce some superb pecan meal.
Freshly kept pecan meal can be stored in your refrigerator for as long as three months. You can also store it in your freezer twice as long, although it would be surprising if wasn’t used before then.
Shake up your routine recipes and use pecan meal to add that signature flavor.
Recipe #1: Spicy Pecan-Crusted Chicken
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of moderately or finely ground Millicanpecan meal
1 egg
3 - 8 oz pieces of chicken
2 tablespoons of olive oil (for cooking)
1 tablespoon of your favorite butter (for cooking)
Suggested spices or your choice of seasonings:
¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
½ a teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of onion powder
Pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mix the spices and egg in a bowl.
- Place a layer of pecan meal in a cake pan or shallow dish.
- Carefully dip the chicken pieces in the egg/spice mixture before evenly coating the chicken with pecan meal.
- Put the olive oil and butter in the baking pan and place the chicken in the baking pan.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes on each side (ensures even crunchy crusts).
- Be sure to check the inner temperature with your meat thermometer. If internal temps read 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, then serve it up!
Recipe #2: Mixed-Berry Pecan Crisp
Ingredients:
2 cups of old-fashioned oats
¾ cups ofMillicanpecan meal
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of butter
3 tablespoons of honey (or your choice of sweetener)
4.5 cups of mixed berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mix dry ingredients into a large bowl (oats, pecan meal, salt, cinnamon) before adding wet ingredients (lemon juice, butter, olive oil, honey). Don’t add the berries. Keep stirring until everything is consistently combined.
- Grease a 9x9 baking dish (or round equivalent) and spread the mixed-berries across the bottom. Evenly pour the oat and pecan meal mixture across the top of the fruit.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the crisp topping is slightly firm and golden brown.
- Let it cool down before serving it up. Add a scoop of ice cream and a sprinkle of well-chopped pecans for a decorative look. Enjoy!
Extra Pecan Meal
Here is what you can do with your left-over pecan meal - use it as a topping! Toss some pecan meal over your morning cereal or yogurt. Sprinkle some over your froyo, into your smoothie, or on a delectable dessert. Pecan meal can be used as an exciting topping and adds a revitalizing new flavor to popular home-cooked meals.
Buy pecan meal for sale
FAQs
Pecan meal is something that is created during the shelling process. The pecan shells are cracked, and sometimes the pecan doesn't come out whole. Instead, it can come out broken or crushed up. Instead of wasting a perfectly good pecan, the broken pieces are used as meal by the pecan company.
What is pecan meal used for? ›
Use this pecan meal as a breading for fish or chicken, a flour substitute for your baking needs or try as a thickener in gravy or oatmeal and see how this pecan meal enhances the flavor!
What's the difference between pecan meal and pecan flour? ›
When the nuts are ground to their finest state, the result is flour. Less processing time results in pecan meal which has a coarser texture.
Can I substitute pecan meal for flour? ›
Good pecan meal is made from 100% ground pecans and can actually substitute for other flour that is needed in any recipe. It is a much healthier substitute and has begun to gain in popularity since it is a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour.
Is pecan flour just ground pecans? ›
They are all the same thing. For starters, you can make your own pecan flour/meals. You put the pecans into the food processor and process until it is finely ground. But before you even get to that point, I do recommend soaking and dehydrating the pecans first.
How long is pecan meal good for? ›
Freshly kept pecan meal can be stored in your refrigerator for as long as three months. You can also store it in your freezer twice as long, although it would be surprising if wasn't used before then. Shake up your routine recipes and use pecan meal to add that signature flavor.
What are the pros and cons of pecan mulch? ›
Pecan shells don't mat up and make a soggy mess the same way straw, hay, and even shredded wood mulches sometimes do. This mulch will sometimes form a hard crust, however, as fungal mats develop as part of the natural decomposition process.
How much pecan flour does 1 cup of pecans make? ›
But with a food processor and ten minutes of time, you can make your own flour substitute for much cheaper and have the option to make it as fine or as course as you would like it to be. This recipe is for a one to one ration, meaning if you processes one cup of pecan meal, you will be left with one cup of pecan flour.
What is pecan flour good for? ›
What is pecan flour used for? Pecan flour is used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour and adds a nutty flavor to baked goods. It is often used in recipes for pancakes, waffles, bread, and other baked goods.
Does pecan flour taste better than almond flour? ›
According to Amsterdam, pecan flour is just as easy to work with as almond flour, but it is likely to be a bit harder to find in stores. “Pecan flour is quite similar to almond flour and very rich tasting, though it has a slightly more astringent flavor,” she says.
Substitute Pecan Meal For Wheat Flour
In recipes that do not require rising like pie crusts or pancakes, you can use pecan meal in a one to one ratio for wheat flour. For recipes that rise like cakes or breads, you will need to also add a rising agent to act in place of the gluten.
Should pecan flour be refrigerated? ›
When kept in your pantry or a cool, dark place, unopened pecan flour should stay fresh for about 1 to 2 months past the best-by date on the packaging. However, if you want to extend its life, consider storing it in the fridge for 6-12 months or in the freezer for 1-2 years.
What nuts can be ground into flour? ›
Nut flours are made from nuts that have been ground into a fine consistency. You can use most nuts for this, including almond, hazelnut, macadamia, pecans, walnuts, etc. Any of these will produce a healthy and delicious flour that can be used in several ways, from baked goods to savory cooking.
Are pecan flour and pecan meal the same thing? ›
Pecan meal, also known as pecan flour, has been gaining popularity as a gluten free alternative to wheat flour. It is a staple you will want to always have, even if you aren't gluten-free.
Is pecan flour keto? ›
A lot of recipes allow pecan flour or pecan meal to be used as a keto friendly flour replacement. You will also learn that pecans, Brazil nuts, and macadamia nuts all have the lowest amount of carbs per serving so they can be used for snacking while maintaining a keto diet.
What kind of pecans are best for baking? ›
Pawnee. Commonly grown in Georgia and Texas, the Pawnee pecan has a rich, buttery flavor and excellent quality, making it ideal for baking. This nut ripens early in autumn, making it one of the first varieties of the year to market and widely available for consumers.
Is pecan wood good for anything? ›
While it can be used for cabinetry and furniture, pecan is a good choice where strength is important such as tool handles, ladder rungs, sporting goods, drumsticks and golf club shafts. Pecan wood is also used for smoking meats and is a popular firewood. Pecan is also sliced into decorative veneer.
What plants are pecan shells good for? ›
Pecan shell mulch is slightly acidic and is especially good around acid-loving plants such as azaleas. Pecan shells will eventually decompose and are therefore, good candidates for your compost bin.
Are pecan shells good for anything? ›
Pecan shells are a great alternative to gravel in xeriscape design, as pathways, and make terrific mulch for rose beds and potted plants. Using pecan shells rather than rock can reduce evaporative moisture loss and may help keep your yard a little cooler during the hottest days of summer.
What did Native Americans use pecans for? ›
Originating from the Algonquin tribe's word “pacane,” which means “a nut too hard to crack by hand,” native pecan nuts were used in a variety of ways, including being roasted, boiled, or ground into flour. With a fall harvest and nutrient-packed fruit, pecans were a necessary staple for tribes during the winter months.
