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Walnuts are a favorite for stirring into banana bread and baking into cookies; walnuts that have been baked take on a richer, nuttier flavor. You know what I’m talking about. That extra nutty goodness of a walnut that’s been baked into a chocolate chip cookie is so much better than a raw walnut. You can enjoy the flavor of toasted walnuts without the baked goods, though.
There are two ways to toast walnuts, both of which work very well. Toast them in a skillet on the stove top or pop them in the oven on a baking sheet. Either way, it doesn’t take long to make toasted walnuts at all and the flavor will be much improved. What’s better than a nuttier nut?
My son came in the other day and grabbed a handful. “Hm!” he said. “These are…extra.” When I told him they were toasted, not raw, I got a nod of approval.
No matter which of the following methods you opt to try, you don’t need to add any oil to the pan.
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How to Toast Walnuts
For a small amount of nuts, you can toast them in a skillet or small pan right on the stove. Measure walnuts into a dry skillet — no oil — and cook on medium. When you begin to smell the aroma of roasted nuts, stir the walnuts. Continue cooking until the nuts are toasted on all sides, about 5 minutes.
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Toasted Walnuts in the Oven
This method works well to toast a larger amount of walnuts. Spread nuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Place tray in a 350º oven for 5-to-10 minutes or until the walnuts begin to brown. Stir them around occasionally, so they brown evenly. You will smell the aroma of roasting nuts. Be sure to set a timer; they can scorch quickly.
You’ll know they’re done when you see them visibly become slightly darker.
If you’d like, line the baking sheet with parchment paper. This is optional, but it will make cleanup easy.
Chopping Nuts
You can toast walnuts in large pieces and chop them after they’re toasted, or chop them prior to toasting. Your call! In either case, there are several ways to chop nuts.
In a food processor:Place walnuts in the bowl of the food processor and pulse until nuts are desired size.
In a manual chopper:Place walnuts in the chopper. Don’t fill it more than in inch or so deep, to allow easy chopping.
With a knife:Choose a knife with a slightly curved blade. Place a handful of walnuts on a cutting board, and rock the knife back and forth over the nuts until they are the desired size.
Using Toasted Walnuts
Toasted nuts give an extra flavor pop and crunch to recipes.Try sprinkling toasted walnuts on top of a hot fudge sundae or in your favorite kale salad. They’re a delicious snack eaten right out of hand, too!
Toasted walnuts are keto and paleo diet approved.
Allow the nuts to cool before adding them to recipes. Store extra nuts in an airtight container and use as needed.
How to Toast Walnuts
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Toasting walnuts is easy — it takes just 10 minutes or so — and results in super flavor perfect for topping waffles, pancakes, salad, or yogurt.
Instructions
Toasting walnuts on the stove top
- Measure walnuts into a dry skillet. Cook over medium heat.
- When you begin to smell the aroma of roasted nuts, stir the walnuts. Continue cooking until the nuts are toasted on all sides, about 5 minutes.
- Turn the hot nuts out onto a plate to cool.
Toasting walnuts in the oven
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Spread walnut pieces on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Place tray in oven for 5-to-10 minutes or until they begin to brown and become aromatic.
- Turn the hot walnuts out onto a plate to cool.
Using toasted walnuts
- Use the walnuts as is, or chop them into smaller pieces. Use a knife and a rocking motion on a cutting board to chop the nuts into the size you need for your recipe.
Notes
Adjust the amount of walnuts to suit your needs, using the skillet method for small amounts and the oven method for larger quantities.
Cool completely, then store toasted pecans in an airtight container for up to a month.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 191Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g
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FAQs
Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange walnuts on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, checking frequently.
How do you eat walnuts as a snack? ›
More than half of Americans snack daily, and snacking is actually the most popular way to eat walnuts. Simply grabbing a handful, raw or toasted, makes for a smart snacking choice.
Should walnuts be toasted before baking? ›
Toasting nuts brings out their earthiness and minimizes any bitterness found in raw nuts. In just a few minutes, nuts will go from pale, somewhat waxy, and mild in flavor and smell, to golden brown, rich-tasting, and with an intensity and delicious aroma that adds a whole new level of flavor to any dish.
Why do you toast walnuts? ›
Toasting raw walnuts is generally optional, but it's almost always recommended. The toasting process adds a better taste, golden brown color, nutty aroma, and a delicious crunch. Nuts toast quickly in the oven or on the stovetop, and they add a healthy, gluten free, protein-packed, omega-3 rich element to many recipes.
Are toasted walnuts still healthy? ›
Both raw and roasted nuts can be a healthy addition to most diets. Both types are a good source of beneficial nutrients such as Vitamin E, manganese, and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.
What are the 3 ways you can toast nuts or seeds? ›
Enjoy the health benefits of a daily handful of nuts or a couple of tablespoons of seeds by sprinkling them on cereal, yogurt, salads, soups, pasta and vegetables.
Do walnuts burn belly fat? ›
A handful of walnuts everyday could help to stimulate fat loss and promote healthy body weight. Walnuts are also known for their amazing appetite-control power; thanks to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids, plant-sterols and vitamins that help suppress hunger, further helping in weight loss.
Is it OK to eat a handful of walnuts a day? ›
Eating walnuts everyday poses little to no harm unless you have a food sensitivity, intolerance or allergy. If that is not the case, adding walnuts to your daily diet can be very beneficial, more so if you choose them as a replacement for other less nutrient-dense foods in your diet.
How many walnuts should a woman eat a day? ›
An ounce (30 grams) of walnuts a day has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. The recommended serving size is a small handful or 1½ ounces (45 grams) a day. Walnuts make an excellent nutrient-dense snack, and you can easily carry them wherever you go.
Can you toast walnuts without oil? ›
Instructions: Place walnuts in a dry skillet. Don't add oil! Toast over medium heat until the walnuts are fragrant and one shade darker than originally were.
Toast in a skillet: Set a medium skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add the walnuts, spreading them out into an even layer. After 1 minute, use a spatula to stir them every 30 seconds or so until they're fragrant and a deeper shade of brown, 6 to 7 minutes.
Are walnuts healthier toasted or raw? ›
– Raw nuts contain natural enzymes that can aid digestion. “nu*ts such as walnuts and pecans can be enjoyed raw to derive their full nutritional benefits. The heat from roasting can compromise the omega-3 fatty acids in these nuts, which are integral for heart health and brain function,” added Sisodia.
Does toasting walnuts destroy nutrients? ›
Maureen Ternus of the Walnut Marketing Board adds, Its best to toast walnuts as close to the time of use as possible. While toasting does not change their nutritional value, it does accelerate the timeline until they lose their freshness.
Why are my toasted walnuts bitter? ›
That astringent note in walnuts comes from the tannins found in the paper-thin skin that covers the walnut. That bitterness is a perfect counterpoint to all the sweet notes in these rugelach.
Why do you put cheese on walnuts? ›
Walnut cheese normally is quite new so that the soft and almost juicy texture of the cheese contrasts nicely with the walnut crumbles that are put into this sort of cheese. Walnut cheese is a relatively new up and coming phenomenon.
Should I toast nuts in pan or oven? ›
Best Methods for Toasting Nuts
No matter how patient you are and how low you keep your heat, the skillet method regularly yields an uneven and improperly toasted nut. I'm sorry to say it, but if you want pristine roasty-toasty nuts, you're going to have to turn your oven on.
Do you need oil to toast nuts? ›
The low heat is crucial because nuts burn both easily and quickly. I toast nuts at 250 F. This is a low temperature, but I find that the higher I set the temperature, the higher the chances of burning the nuts. You don't need any oil because the nuts and seeds that you are toasting naturally have a lot of oil in them.
