How To Toast Walnuts And Keep Them Crispy? (Air fryer | Oven | Stove)

You could use microwaves, an oven, or a skillet for your toasting needs. In this article, we are going to look at different ways to toasts your walnuts and answer some of the common questions when it comes to toasting walnuts.

Why toast walnuts?

Toasting nuts tend to bring out their earthiness and lowers any bitterness to the maximum level found in raw nuts. In only a few minutes of toasting, nuts will alter their pale color, a bit waxy, and mild in smell and flavor.

The toasted walnuts will have a golden-brown color, rich taste, and delicious aroma and intensity. So, it adds an entirely new level of flavor to any dish.

The toasting of walnuts, on the other hand, improves the texture as well. They stay crispy whether on top of a salad or buried in baked foods.

Ways to toast walnuts

Here are the different methods to toast walnuts.

Air fryer

Nowadays, you can conveniently toast walnuts using advanced gadgets. If you have an air fryer, put the walnuts in a single layer at the bottom of the basket. Set the time count to 4 to 6 minutes and a temperature of 300 degrees. Just after a few minutes, get your toasted walnuts ready and enjoy.

Microwave

While using a microwave, put the walnuts in a microwave dish in one layer. For two minutes, microwave on high and then stir. Later, cook the walnuts for one minute, stir nuts after every minute, and check for readiness. The cooking process can go long, from three minutes to about eight minutes, depending upon the type of walnuts you are toasting.

Stove

Using a stovetop to toast walnuts is an excellent choice to make when you toast a small amount. All you got to do is place the walnuts in a dry skillet, cook on medium flame and keep tossing them from time to time. It is a relatively quick method and helps to keep an eye on the entire process. After doing this, remove walnuts from the skillet and transfer them to a bowl to let them cool.

Oven

To toast chopped walnuts in an oven, put them on a baking sheet in one layer and place them in a preheated oven to 350 degrees. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes in the process to lightly toast the walnuts. Keep an eye on the walnuts and stir when needed. Then, take them out from the oven and put them in a bowl for cooling.

In the case of black walnuts, you need to preheat the oven to 300 degrees temperature. You should use a cookie sheet to spread black walnuts on. After toasting for ten minutes, stir the nuts and toast for a further 10 to 15 minutes.

What is the easiest way to toast walnuts?

The stovetop method is the easiest and the best way for smaller amounts of nuts. As we know that walnut can cook unevenly if not appropriately stirred and tossed frequently. Additionally, be sure to put walnuts in a single layer, as too many nuts can lead to uneven cooking.

In the case of an oven, you need to preheat the oven, so it takes more time than the stovetop.

How long does it take to toast walnuts?

It depends on the method and the type of appliance you are using. The time only ranges between three minutes to eight minutes. In this way, you can easily toast nuts in a small quantity or larger amount within a short time.

For example, when you toast the nuts using a stovetop or an air fryer, you have to keep tossing them and stirring them frequently. Depending upon the number of nuts you are cooking, it usually takes from 4 minutes to 10 minutes.

How to toast walnuts faster?

For a faster experience, you can use a microwave or an air fryer. Instead of transferring the nuts from the saucepan to a bowl, put them directly in the microwave. Cook at a high temperature for 1 minute and stir it after every minute. Toast walnuts until they are slightly browned but not burned.

How to toast unshelled walnuts?

Toasting unshelled walnuts are a bit more challenging than shelled ones. When they are in the shell, they are less exposed to heat, so it is harder for the nuts to get browned evenly and thoroughly. To make matters worse, it is more difficult to stir and toss them frequently when they are in the shell.

The best way to toast unshelled walnuts at home is using a stovetop or an air fryer.

Related: How to shell walnuts quickly and easily?

How to store the toasted walnuts?

In order to store the nuts for a long time, you need to keep them in a dry place and put them in an airtight container. If you store them in this way, the toasted walnuts will keep their crunch and sweetness for a long time.

How to use toasted walnuts?

There are several ways to use toasted nuts. Below you will see some tips on how best can you eat your toasted walnuts.

Try walnuts on top of a salad

You can add toasted walnuts to any salad you wish. You can use them as garnishing, or you can just put them on top of your salads. Or you can even make your own salad dressing with the toasted walnuts. You will notice that adding nuts will supply tiny bursts of flavor and crunch that are simply irresistible.

Use walnuts in meats and seafood dishes

Toasted nuts work well with almost any meat dish. Their toasted crunchy taste blends really well with any protein, like beef or chicken. You can make an interesting vinaigrette by combining Dijon mustard, a drop of honey, and a dollop of homemade mayonnaise.

You can also put the toasted walnuts on top of lamb chops or turkey. Try mixing them with any seafood dish also. You will be able to get a new flavor as well as you will have a crunchy texture and nutty taste from the walnuts.

Use toasted walnuts in your favorite stuffing for seafood or poultry. You can also use them with dips or spreads that pair well with beer, such as salsa, guacamole, and hummus.

Recipes

How to toast walnuts with brown sugar?

Ingredients

• ½ cups of brown sugar
• 2 tsp butter
• 2 cups walnuts
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon (ground)

Procedure

1. Take butter in a large pan and heat it to melting.
2. Add walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon to a pan and frequently stir until the sugar gets dissolved. It takes about 3 to 4 minutes. 
3. Use a slotted spoon to remove walnuts from the pan and shift them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Allow them to cool for an hour. Now the prepared walnuts are ready to be stored in airtight containers for about 2 weeks.  

How to toast walnuts with honey?

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups walnuts
• 1 tsp butter
• 3 tsp honey
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, if desired

Procedure

1. Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Set it aside and
2. melt the butter over medium flame in a non-stick pan. Mix the honey and cinnamon in it, and then mix in the nuts.
3. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, often stirring until toasted and cooked.
4. Pour walnuts onto the lined baking sheet and quickly separate the nuts using a spatula or a fork.
5. Let them cool for around five minutes, and then enjoy!

Toasting walnuts with maple syrup

Ingredients

• 1 tsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups walnut halves

Procedure

1. Preheat the oven you are going to use to 375 degrees. Melt butter and stir in maple syrup, salt, and vanilla. Bring this mixture to a simmer for almost 3 minutes.
2. Add the walnuts and stir, coating them in the maple syrup mixture until sauce is syrupy and walnuts are well-coated.
3. Transfer walnuts to a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread them in a single layer—Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
4. Let it cool for about 30 minutes. Serve or keep in an airtight refrigerator.

French toast with bananas and walnuts

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
• 1.5 cups of brown sugar
• 1 loaf (about 1 lb.) sliced cinnamon bread
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 3 medium sliced bananas
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 6 large eggs
• 1.5 cup milk
• Powdered sugar if you want

Procedure

1. Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large-sized bowl, stir brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and walnuts until smooth. Gently stir in bananas. Spoon mixture into baking dish.
2. Reserve the bread ends because they do not soak up the egg mixture well and use them later. Arrange two layers of bread on the banana mixture, tearing bread to fit if needed.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, beat eggs, vanilla, and milk with wire whisk until well blended. Pour over bread slices. Cover it and refrigerate for about 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.
4. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Uncover them and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Serve portions upside down, spooning sauce from the bottom of the dish over every serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

French toast casserole with walnuts

Ingredients

• 1 stick melted butter
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts 
• 6 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 big loaf of French cubed bread 
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp milk 

Procedure

1. Apply non-stick spray to your baking dish to avoid mess. 
2. In a pot, mix the milk, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Add bread and pour the custard over it. Later, add butter, brown sugar, and mix it well. Pour over bread and sprinkle with nuts. Then, bake for about 30 minutes.
4. While baking casserole, mix your confectioners’ sugar, milk, and cinnamon until a thick but pourable consistency occurs. Set it aside and pour over warm casserole once it is done. Serve warm.

How to toast walnuts and almonds?

Ingredients

• 1 .5 cup nuts
• 1 tsp butter
• Salt to taste

Procedure

1. Place butter in skillet and heat over medium-low.
2. Add nuts and Salt; stir/toss to coat; spread nuts in a single layer in pan. Cook, occasionally stirring for about 8 minutes. Be watchful, careful not to allow nuts to burn.
3. Allow cooling. Conserve in airtight containers for weeks.

How do you toast walnuts and pecans?

Ingredients

• 1.5 cup of nuts
• 1 tsp butter
• Salt as to taste 

Procedure

1. Put butter in skillet on medium heat.
2. Add nuts and Salt for toasting and coating in a single layer. Cook for about 8 minutes and beware of burning the nuts.
3. Allow them to cool and enjoy.