How To Toast Walnuts
Add a delightful twist to your snack routine or elevate your favorite dishes with toasted walnuts! Learn how to toast walnuts in a variety of ways as well as fun seasonings to try.
Suitable for gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, low-carb, keto, paleo, and Whole30 diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
I know what you’re thinking: Why go to the extra trouble of toasting walnuts? Why not just eat them the way they are? Learn how to toast walnuts to bring out their nutty flavor and add an appealing mouth feel.
We’ve taken the guesswork out of how to toast walnuts by experimenting for you. Use our experience as a starting point to get your own!
Nuts can burn quickly, so watch them carefully. The flavor you get from toasted nuts is worth the time and attention, as toasting brings out a richer, more nutty flavor. Once you learn how quick and simple it is, you’ll definitely want to learn How To Toast Pecans and How To Roast Cashews too!
The roasting process also adds a satisfying crunch and texture to the walnuts. Raw nuts contain a higher moisture content that roasted nuts release as they cook. This extends their shelf life and helps inhibit mold and bacteria growth.
An extended shelf life means you can prepare them in advance for giving as edible gifts! Homemade gifts say, “I’m thinking of you and you are special!” All of these things add up to a fun recipe, in my opinion.
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You can add toasted walnuts to recipes such as Wild Rice Salad, Air Fryer Butternut Squash, or Air Fryer Banana Bread. #somanyoptions
Why Make This Recipe
- It’s Fun – Sure, you could eat plain walnuts, but why when you could have fun changing the flavor?!
- It’s Giftable – “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire….” Culinary crafting and gifting is always appreciated!
- It’s Heart-healthy – Walnuts are rich in Omega 3s which are the good fats your body needs to be healthy.
Ingredient Notes
- Walnuts – Shelled walnut halves boast a mild, buttery taste and a distinct earthy flavor.
- Seasonings – Salt and your other favorite savory and sweet seasonings will make a great addition to walnuts!
Ready to learn how easy it is to toast walnuts? Gather up the ingredients, and I will show you…
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
How To Roast Walnuts
Get complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card further below.
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F / 175 degrees C. Spread the walnuts in a single layer on a prepared baking sheet and place in the preheated oven.
Step 2. Toast the walnuts for 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice during the process to ensure even toasting. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet. If desired, sprinkle with a pinch of salt or other seasonings.
How To Roast Walnuts in a Skillet
Step 1. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts to the skillet, spreading them out in a single layer.
Step 2. Toast the walnuts in the skillet for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from the skillet and transfer to a plate or a baking sheet to cool. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt or other seasonings, if desired.
How To Air Fry Walnuts
Step 1. Preheat your air fryer to 325 degrees F / 163 degrees C. Place the walnuts in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Step 2. Cook the walnuts in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket or stirring the walnuts halfway through. Remove and let cool. Optional: Sprinkle with a pinch of salt or other seasonings.
Tips For Success
- Choose shelled raw walnuts and check the pieces for any bits of shell before cooking.
- Spread walnuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. This ensures even toasting and allows the heat to reach all sides of the nuts.
- Cover the cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Nuts can quickly go from golden to burnt; keep a close eye during the toasting process.
- The walnuts should turn golden brown and become aromatic.
- Skip added oils; walnuts have natural oils that intensify during toasting.
- Transfer hot walnuts to a cool surface to stop the toasting process and avoid overcooking.
- It’s often better to toast walnuts in smaller batches rather than trying to toast a large quantity all at once. This ensures that each walnut gets evenly toasted.
- Trust your senses; a fragrant, nutty aroma indicates they’re perfectly toasted.
Delicious Variations
- Swap cooking methods. We are including instructions for air frying and for skillet cooking walnuts in case you prefer either of those.
- Make them sweet and spicy. Toss toasted walnuts with honey, cinnamon, and a pinch of cayenne for a delightful mix of sweet and spicy.
- Add a garlic parmesan crunch. Combine toasted walnuts with grated Parmesan cheese and a hint of garlic powder for a savory, cheesy crunch.
- Add a curry blend. Create an exotic twist by dusting toasted walnuts with curry powder and a pinch of sea salt.
Prep And Storage
- Prep Ahead – You can prep these ahead of time or serve straight from the oven since it’s a quick cook.
- Store – Store at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 weeks, and in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
- Freeze – Toasted walnuts will keep for up to 6 months in the freezer.
- Reheat – Thaw to room temperature or reheat under the low broiler until warm and crispy again.
FAQs
As a general rule, it takes 8-10 minutes to toast walnuts in the oven. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Look for a golden-brown color and a nutty aroma. The walnuts should release a fragrant smell, and their color should deepen. Be cautious not to let them get too dark, as they can develop a bitter taste.
There is no need to add oil when toasting. Walnuts have natural oils; dry toasting enhances their flavor without additional oil or butter.
Toasted walnuts will keep for 2-4 weeks if stored properly in an airtight container. Storing in the fridge or freezer will extend their shelf life.
Similar Recipes
- How To Roast Cashews.
- How To Toast Pecans.
- Air Fryer Pasta Chips.
- 5-Minute Sweet and Salty Snack Mix.
Serve With:
- As a topping for this decadent Chocolate Lava Cake.
- Add to Cranberry Chicken Salad for delicious flavor and great crunch.
- These make an awesome addition to your next Charcuterie Platter!
Recommended Tools
- These silicon utensils to easily stir, turn, and remove the nuts.
- A Mason jar is a great way to keep the nuts fresh.
- Good quality spices for adding great flavor.
- For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
Weight Watchers Points
There are 4 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
More How To Guides
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How To Toast Walnuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup (125g) walnuts whole or halves
- salt or other seasonings of your choice optional
Instructions
Instructions for Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F / 175 degrees C.
- Spread the walnuts in a single layer on a prepared baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet with the walnuts in the preheated oven.
- Toast the walnuts for 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice during the process to ensure even toasting.
- Keep a close eye on the walnuts to prevent burning. They should turn golden brown and become aromatic.
- Once toasted, remove the walnuts from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet.
- Optional: Sprinkle the toasted walnuts with a pinch of salt or any other seasonings you desire.
- Enjoy the crunchy and flavorful toasted walnuts as a snack or use them in your favorite recipes.
Instructions for Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 325 degrees F / 163 degrees C.
- Place the walnuts in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook the walnuts in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket or stirring the walnuts halfway through.
- Keep a close eye on the walnuts to prevent burning. They should turn golden brown and become aromatic.
- Once toasted, remove the walnuts from the air fryer and let them cool.
- Optional: Sprinkle the toasted walnuts with a pinch of salt or any other seasonings you desire.
- Enjoy the crunchy and flavorful toasted walnuts as a snack or use them in your favorite recipes.
Instructions for Skillet:
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
- Add the walnuts to the skillet, spreading them out in a single layer.
- Toast the walnuts in the skillet for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Keep a close eye on the walnuts as they can quickly go from toasted to burnt.
- The walnuts should turn golden brown and become aromatic.
- Once toasted, remove the walnuts from the skillet and transfer them to a plate or a baking sheet to cool.
- Optional: Sprinkle the toasted walnuts with a pinch of salt or any other seasonings you desire.
- Enjoy the crunchy and flavorful toasted walnuts as a snack or use them in your favorite recipes.
Video
Notes
- Choose shelled nuts and check the pieces for any bits of shell before cooking.
- Spread the walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. This ensures even toasting and allows the heat to reach all sides of the nuts.
- Nuts can quickly go from golden to burnt; keep a close eye during the toasting process.
- Skip added oils; walnuts have natural oils that intensify during toasting.
- Transfer hot walnuts to a cool surface to stop the toasting process and avoid overcooking.
- It’s often better to toast walnuts in smaller batches rather than trying to toast a large quantity all at once. This ensures that each walnut gets evenly toasted.
- Trust your senses; a fragrant, nutty aroma indicates they’re perfectly toasted.
- Storage – keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 weeks, or in the refrigerator for up to a month.
- There are 4 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
