3 Ways to Toast Nuts (2024)

Ever notice how many recipes call for toasted nuts?

Usually the recipe creator assumes you either have a toasted-nut fairy godmother at your beck and call, or you are well-versed in nut-toasting methods.

Just in case you need a refresher course in the art of nut-toasting, let me share a few tips with you today.

First off, let’s address the question: Why toast nuts?

Nuts are tasty right out of the shell, right? Why all the fuss?

Answer: Yes, nuts are great as-is, but they can be better. Way better.

Toasting nuts draws the natural oils to the surface, intensifying the rich nutty essence, creating a deeper color, and making the nuts crunchier. Toasting your nuts prior to adding them to a recipe can improve the flavor and texture of any dish. So the real question is, why not toast nuts. It only takes a few minutes to make all your nutty creations even better!

Here’s how you do it.

1 - Oven method

Toasting nuts in the oven is the best method when you need to toast a lot of nuts at once.

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps the nuts toast evenly without burning on the bottom. It also makes clean up quick and easy!

Spread the nuts out on the parchment paper in a single layer. Bake for 5–10 minutes until the nuts darken in color a couple shades and the aroma of toasted nuts is strong in the kitchen.

Lift the parchment paper, with all the toasted nuts, off the baking sheet to cool. Then store in an airtight container until ready to use.

It’s best to toast nuts whole, then to chop them if you need smaller pieces. When nuts are chopped before toasting, they are more likely to burn.

2 - Stovetop method

When I only need a handful of nuts for a recipe, or to throw on top of a salad, I prefer to toast them in a skillet.

Simply pour the nuts in a dry skillet and place over medium heat. Shake the skillet to flatten the nuts into a single layer.

Once you can smell the nuts toasting, toss the nuts to turn them and shake the skillet again to spread them out in a single layer.

Toss and shake 3-4 times to make sure the nuts are toasted on all sides. Then pour them out on a plate or paper towel to cool. This process should take 5 minutes or so.

3 - Microwave method

This is a great method for toasting smaller amounts of whole nuts, as well as blanched or sliced nuts.

Pour the nuts out on a paper-towel-lined plate and spread them into a single layer. Microwave on high in one-minute increments until the nuts are golden and fragrant. In my microwave this takes 2-3 minutes depending on the variety of nut. Cool on the plate.

Is this the best method of toasting nuts? I don’t think so. But it’s still worth mentioning in case you need a few toasted nuts on top of your lunch in the office break room.

Chopping and Storing Tips:

1. If you’re chopping round nuts like hazelnuts or peanuts, it can be a little tricky to keep them from flying off the cutting board. To catch the nuts, place your cutting board in the center of a rimmed baking sheet and place the nuts on the board. Rock the blade of the knife over the nuts. The runaways will land in the baking sheet, rather than on the floor.

2. Once the nuts are toasted, cool them in the open air, then store them in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to two weeks.