Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove pecans from baking sheet immediately, and allow to cool. Be careful not to over toast!
Place pecans and sea salt in a food processor and process for approximately 10 minutes, or until desired consistency is achieved. Scrape down the food processor bowl as needed during the process, and add the maple syrup and vanilla extract towards the end.
Store pecan nut butter in a glass jar in the refrigerator.
Notes
Easy Ingredient Swaps: Replace the vanilla extract with 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and add 1/4 cup raisins to make Cinnamon Raisin Pecan Butter.