How to Toast Nuts in the Microwave • Steamy Kitchen Recipes Giveaways

posted by Steamy Kitchen September 22, 2020

Microwaving nuts is an essential skill you can wield confidently any time the occasion calls for toasted nuts–walnuts, pine nuts, almonds, etc, even seeds and legumes (peanuts)!

I can think of a myriad of reasons as to why you’d want toasted nuts in a jiffy, because sometimes the raw ones just won’t do for the specific recipe or general eating experience the moment calls for.

Sometimes, fragrant, toasty nuts can make or break a meal!

Perhaps you’re making a nutty vegan pesto–not confined to just pine nuts–for pasta, bread, or an appetizer platter.

Check out: Peanut Pesto and Peas Pasta Salad

Maybe you’re folding nuts into bread or cookie dough–in that case, what a treat to look forward to!

Or, what if all you need is a simple sprinkle on top of a Buddha bowl, oatmeal, salad, or even a humble bowl of ice cream (cones if you’re fancy)? More often than not, a delicious handful of nuts basically serves as just the cherry on top.

Who can resist some Vietnamese Ice Cream Coffee?

The trick to toasted nuts in the microwave?

Unlike with regular oven-roasting or pan-toasting, you won’t get a dramatic browning concentrated on the exterior of the nuts, but rather a more thorough inside-out cooking. Nevertheless, you can still expect those fragrant oils to get released–that’s the whole point, after all!

To get closer to the authentic toasting reaction, lightly coat the nuts with neutral oil before laying them out in a single layer on a microwave-safe platter. They don’t have to be the same kind of nut; just make sure they’re the same size so they cook evenly, and don’t crowd the plate if you can help it!

From there, simply cook the nuts on regular settings in 1 minute intervals until oils are released to your liking and nuts are golden brown. This can take anywhere between 2 to 5 minutes depending on the size of your nuts.

Go nuts with all the things you can do with microwave-toasted nuts!

Roasted Cauliflower Buddha Bowl

Nutella Bread Pudding

Green Beans with Garam Masala Butter and Toasted Hazelnuts

Also check out How to Make Crunchy Roasted Peanuts in the Microwave

How do you like this method? When do you find yourself using it the most? Let us know in the comments.

Use this quick, easy microwave method to toast any kind of nut when you need them in a jiffy! Add them quickly to any salad, Buddha bowl, pesto, baked good, or breakfast bowl.

Course:

Snack, Topping

Keyword:

roasted nuts

Servings: 4

Calories: 107 kcal

Author: Steamy Kitchen

• 1/2
  cup
  nuts of your choice
  (or peanuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds)
• 1/2
  teaspoon
  neutral-tasting oil
• Optional: salt and pepper to taste, plus other desired seasonings

1. Toss nuts with oil and optional seasonings to coat.

2. Spread nuts evenly over a microwave-safe plate. Avoid overcrowding plate. Cook in 1-minute intervals, tossing as needed, until nuts are golden brown and fragrant, 2 to 5 minutes total.

Extra toasted nuts: let cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container. Umm, breakfast, anyone??

Nutrition Facts

How to Toast Nuts in the Microwave

Amount Per Serving

Calories 107
Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 1mg0%

Potassium 126mg4%

Carbohydrates 4g1%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 4g8%

Calcium 47mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.