Indulge in the holiday spirit with these chocolate chili pecan clusters—a delightful addition to your holiday cookie boxes and gatherings. Combining the rich sweetness of dark chocolate with a subtle kick from chili powder, these clusters are an easy, scrumptious treat that will leave everyone reaching for more.

This recipe is…
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients for Dark Chocolate Chili Pecan Clusters
Recipe Variations and Modifications
How to Make Chocolate Chili Pecan Clusters
Recipe Tips
How to Store
More Favorite No Bake Desserts
Dark Chocolate Chili Pecan Clusters Recipe
Recipe Contributors

GFGluten Free DFDairy Free PPaleo LCLow Carb VGVegetarian

Welcome to the delightful world of no-bake indulgences with our irresistible chocolate chili pecan clusters (the perfect addition to your holiday cookie repertoire but also perfect for any time of year). They’re incredibly easy to whip up, requiring no time in the oven, and strike the perfect balance of creamy chocolate, crunchy pecans, and a hint of spice that elevates the entire flavor profile.

If you’re looking for more delicious no bake desserts, we’ve got you. These bourbon balls are irresistible, this classic chocolate walnut fudge is a holiday MUST, this chocolate protein pudding is delicious and nutritious, and this chocolate graham cracker bark is wow-worthy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s deliciously different – while you may see chocolate pecan clusters from time to time, we’d be willing to bet that the chili powder spin on this recipe really sets them apart. The hint of spice elevates the entire recipe!
It’s EASY – the most effort you’ll need to put forth here is melting your chocolate, and even that is really, really easy.

Ingredients for Dark Chocolate Chili Pecan Clusters

You’ll only need a handful of ingredients for this yummy recipe. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and swaps) below.

All of the ingredients needed for chocolate chili pecan clusters in different sized bowls on a pink surface.

Pecan halves – you’ll need plain, raw (not roasted) pecan halves for this recipe.
Chocolate chips – as far as chocolate chips go, we always go for a nice, rich dark chocolate, but feel free to go with any style chocolate that you love.
Chili powder – make sure to grab a mild chili powder blend for this recipe! Other chili powders (like chipotle) will be too spicy.

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Recipe Variations and Modifications

Omit the shredded coconut – if you aren’t a fan of coconut (or you just don’t have any on hand), feel free to omit it. The recipe will still be really delicious!
Add dried fruit – stir dried cranberries in with the pecans for a delicious sweet, tangy pop of flavor.
Use a different nut – while the pecans here are absolute perfection, do know that you can make these with any nut (or even sunflower seeds!) you love. The recipe won’t change one bit!

How to Make Chocolate Chili Pecan Clusters

This recipe is super easy! Follow along below for the full how-to.

Step 1: Using either a double-boiler or 3-5, 20-second spells in the microwave, slowly melt the chocolate. It’s important that you stir constantly with a rubber spatula and remove from heat as soon as all of the solid pieces are gone.

Step 2: When the chocolate is melted completely, add the chili powder and stir to combine.

Step 3: Pour the pecans into the bowl and stir until they’re completely covered.

Step 4: Using a large spoon, spoon about 1 tablespoon-sized clumps onto the parchment paper.

Step 5: When all the clusters are on the sheet, dust with the optional shredded coconut and sea salt.

Step 6: Transfer the clusters to the freezer or refrigerator to set for 1 hour or overnight. Store in an airtight container on the counter for one week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe Tips

The key to smooth, perfectly-melted chocolate is to make sure you go slow and steady. Below are our best tips for melting your chocolate in the microwave (our preferred method).

Microwave in short intervals. Set the microwave to cook for about 2 minutes, but remove the chocolate from the microwave to stir every 15 to 20 seconds. This will help ensure that your chocolate doesn’t overcook and that the heat is evenly distributed.
Stop microwaving before the chocolate is completely melted. When your chocolate is about 95% smooth and there are just a few lumps remaining, remove it from the microwave. The lumps will dissolve as the chocolate sits and continues to melt.
Reduce the power. If you know your microwave cooks more quickly than most or can be a little bit erratic, either reduce the power to 80% or microwave the chocolate on defrost mode. This is a good insurance policy against burned chocolate!

How to Store

Store your pecan clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, in the fridge for 2-3 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

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