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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
Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the walnuts to the hot, dry pan, only toasting as many walnuts as fit in the pan in a single layer. Cook, watching constantly and stirring frequently until the walnuts start to brown and they smell toasted—about 5 minutes.
How long will toasted walnuts last? ›
If you plan on storing them long-term, you can refrigerate or freeze them for 2 to 3 months. If you store the toasted walnuts at room temperature, keep them in a dark, cool place and use them within 1 week.
Should you toast walnuts before putting them in cookies? ›
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.
How to tell when walnuts are toasted? ›
Add walnuts in a single layer to a nonstick skillet and heat over medium low heat to medium heat. Heat walnuts for 2-5 minutes, making sure to stir occasionally with a wooden spoon or spatula. Roast until they smell nutty and golden brown. They can burn easily.
Are toasted walnuts still healthy? ›
Whether raw or roasted, nuts still pack a healthy punch, loaded with good fats, protein, and antioxidants.
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 you need to refrigerate toasted walnuts? ›
Walnuts keep best in the fridge or freezer. It's worth noting that toasted nuts are a bit more perishable than raw. Shelf life varies considerably, so it's best to judge freshness by taste and smell. If they lose their sweetness and begin to smell “off,” they're likely rancid and should be thrown out.
Can you eat nuts 2 years out of date? ›
Q: Do Nuts Expire? A: Nuts can't expire; however, they can change in taste or go rancid. Nuts contain much-unsaturated fat, an oil that makes nuts likely to go rancid.
Do walnuts go rancid quickly? ›
Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature.
How do you eat walnuts as a snack? ›
Just Eat a Handful Plain
For a nutritious snack you can't beat a handful of walnuts. About 1 oz adds 2.5g of omega-3 ALA, the plant-based fatty acid (the most ALA of any tree nut), 4g of plant-based protein, 2g of fiber, and 45mg of magnesium.
Add 1 cup raw nut of your choice to the basket of a 6-quart air fryer or 6- to 7-inch-long heat-safe baking dish or cake pan (if needed). Cook at 300 degrees F until golden brown and toasted, giving the basket or baking dish a good shake halfway through, according to the timing below.
How to remove bitterness from walnuts? ›
Place walnuts in boiling water for five minutes to remove bitter taste. Remove from water and drain, then run cold water over the walnuts.
Can dogs eat walnuts? ›
Although it may be technically safe for dogs to eat a few walnuts (especially if they are store-bought and unsalted), walnuts are not the best choice for your dog. Walnuts can be a choking hazard for dogs and, when eaten in large quantities, can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called pancreatitis.
Does toasting walnuts destroy nutrients? ›
Both Have a Similar Nutrient Content
Roasting nuts changes their structure and chemical composition. Specifically, it changes their color and decreases their moisture content, giving rise to their crunchy texture (5, 7). Raw and dry-roasted nuts have very similar amounts of fat, carbs and protein.
What is the difference between roasting and toasting nuts? ›
Roasted, for me, means you cook them in the oven, and toasted means you cook the nuts on the stove top. I see both words used interchangeably online, though. I use both methods, depending on whether I need to roast a few nuts or a lot, and how quickly I need them.
Should I toast nuts in pan or oven? ›
At 325°F, most nuts will only need to stay in the oven 5 to 8 minutes. On the stovetop in a pan, toasting nuts may take a few minutes less, about 5 minutes.
Do you use oil when toasting nuts? ›
There are two basic ways to roast nuts in the oven: dry or with a small amount of oil.
Can I toast walnuts on top of the stove? ›
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.
Is it better to bake walnuts raw or roasted? ›
Walnuts have a mild, buttery flavor that makes them perfect for baking into cookies and cakes. They have a high oil content, so they tend to toast much faster than other varieties. Because of this, it's best to use raw walnuts to prevent them from burning during the baking process.
