Have you ever wondered how to roast chestnuts? Surprisingly, there is no special equipment required. All it takes is 20 minutes and 5 Easy Steps for Oven Roasted Chestnuts.
I spotted them last week-end and I felt like a kid in a candy store!
Chestnuts!!!
The holidays would not be the holidays without them. So, if you have ever asked yourself how to roast chestnuts, I would like to show you my 5 Easy Steps for Oven Roasted Chestnuts.
I feel like I should include a disclaimer – as the saying goes, perfection is not of this world. Believe me when I tell you that I have tried all kinds of methods in my “how to roast chestnuts”quest. I have come to the conclusion that no one method is 100% perfect.
In other words, what I’m trying to say is that there will always be a few chestnuts that will get stuck to their shell. But despite that, the method I’m about to share with you is the best that I’ve found.
What do I need to make Roasted Chestnuts?
- Chestnuts! No surprise here. You can use as many chestnuts as you like. Make sure they are firm to the touch.
- Water. That’s right, our chestnuts are going to get boiled before getting baked.
As far as accessories are concerned, you need a cutting board, a sharp serrated knife, a large pot and a baking pan.
How to Roast Chestnuts:
1- Preheat oven to 425°F: A very hot oven is key for the chestnut to separate from its woodsy skin. Make sure the oven rack is placed in the middle.
2- Make an incision: Lay the chestnut flat on your cutting board. With a serrated knife, make a lengthwise slit down the entire middle surface, on the long side. Make sure you hold down the chestnut firmly on the cutting board (be careful not to cut yourself as the outer shell is very slippery).
You must also make sure that the incision cuts through the inner skin of the chestnuts. The incision will allow the steam to escape from the nut as it is being heated. If the chestnuts are not properly scored, they will explode in the oven… that’s a fact I’ve confirmed myself…
3- Boil the chestnuts: Place the chestnuts in a pot of cold water. As soon as the water begins to boil, remove the chestnuts with a slotted spoon and place on a shallow baking pan. This quick boil will create the perfect environment for steam to be created once they hit the hot oven.
4- Roasting chestnuts in oven: Place the chestnuts with the flat side down, the cut side up in a single layer in your baking pan. Roast in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. This time can vary based on the size of your chestnuts. I will give the pan a few shakes throughout the roasting time. You will notice that the shell splits open as they roast. The only way to know if they are cooked through is by eating one of the roasted chestnuts.
5-Wrap them up: Once you have obtained perfectly oven roasted chestnuts, remove from the oven and wrap them in a clean tea towel. Allow the wrapped chestnuts to sit in the towel for about 10-15 minutes.
Your perfectly roasted chestnuts are now ready to be served.
Tips, Tricks and Recipe Notes:
Chestnuts are easier to remove from their shell when they are warm. If you have leftover chestnuts, you can peel them and refrigerate them for a day or two. Your peeled chestnuts can also be frozen.
When purchasing look for chestnuts that
- have a glossy look;
- are unblemished;
- are firm to the touch and
- feel heavy for their size.
Always try to roast your store bought chestnuts within 2-3 days as the freshness will not last very long, even in the fridge. If you uncover moldy or bad chestnuts, they need to be discarded. Unfortunately, this can only be discovered once they are roasted and removed from the shell.
Recipe origins
Looking back, I think my whole family was obsessed with how to roast Italian chestnuts.
I remember my Mom trying to grow chestnut trees. She successfully started a few from seed. The trees had a couple of good, chestnut-full years, but unfortunately, the chestnuts would fall before they had a chance to completely ripen.
More often than not, the store bought chestnuts were roasted –oven or fire roasted. My parents had all the gadgets and the pots and the pans to make the best roasted chestnuts.
Sometimes, my mom would just boil them and we would have them as after school snacks.
Did you know that they make absolutely wonderful desserts once they are pureed? Have you ever had chocolate and chestnuts together? Italians desserts from the South are notorious for stuffing these gems in pastry dough.
Of course, chestnuts can just as easily be prepared in savory dishes. Did someone say stuffing?
I adapted this method on how to roast chestnuts from Chef John Mitzewich. Chef John uses no fancy gadgets or knives. Just a serrated knife, a pot and a simple roasting pan. Thanks Chef John!
The holidays would not be the holidays without chestnuts. I know they’ll be part of my Thanksgiving meal. Just 5 Easy Steps for Oven Roasted Chestnuts and they can also be part of your Thanksgiving.
Thanks for allowing me the possibility to share some of my favorite recipes with all of you.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones ♥
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have used this method to roast chestnuts, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
5 Easy Steps for Oven Roasted Chestnuts
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Chestnuts or as many as desired
- water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Place the oven rack in the middle.
- Make an incision by laying the chestnut flat on your cutting board. With a serrated knife, make a lengthwise slit down the entire middle surface on the long side. Make sure you hold down the chestnut firmly on the cutting board (be careful not to cut yourself as the outer shell is very slippery).
- Place the chestnuts in a pot of cold water. As soon as the water begins to boil, remove the chestnuts with a slotted spoon and place them on a shallow baking pan.
- Place the chestnuts with the flat side down, and the cut side up in a single layer in your baking pan. Roast in the oven for about 15-20 minutes.
- Once you have obtained perfectly oven-roasted chestnuts, remove them from the oven and wrap them in a clean tea towel. Allow the wrapped chestnuts to sit in the towel for about 10-15 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Lynn
I never realized people ate Chesnuts. I thought they were only for decoration!
Maria
They truly are so delicious! I hope you get a chance to try them Lynn.
Roberta Rivera
Hi Maria, thanks for this recipe. I have tried it and loved it. I just have a question, I am having about 20 people over for supper and was wondering if I can boil the chestnuts during the day and roast them at night? We like our chestnuts warm but would love to do the boiling part beforehand and just have them ready to put in the oven. Please let me know. Thanks again for this and many lovely recipes
Maria
Thanks so much for your interest Roberta. Although I have never tried it, I don’t think it will work as the steam builds up inside the chestnut, allowing the shell to separate, and making it easier to open.
ML
Best method ever! Easy to peel!
Roasting chestnuts at the holidays keeps my childhood memories alive!
Maria
Thank you so much, ML! Happy Holidays!
Debora
Easiest chestnut peel ever! Just what I’ve been looking for—for years. Finally, I’ve found it. Thank you!
Maria
So thrilled to read this! Thanks for sharing Debora!
Lisa Aylesworth
Worked perfectly, so simple.
Kabe
One of my favorite parts of marrying into a big Italian family is roast chestnuts at every holiday gathering. I can vividly remember the first Thanksgiving I spent with my then boyfriend, now husband, sitting outside by the firepit eating chestnuts for the first time and drinking wine with his Nonna. They’re the taste of Thanksgiving and Christmas for me no.
Nonna’s highest compliment was the day she told my mother that I was “practically Italian” … I want to get chestnuts right when I host this year! Can I boil them a day in advance and hold them to roast tomorrow when company is here, or do they need to be boiled just before roasting for the steam to happen?
Maria
Thanks so much for your comment Kabe! Based on my experience, you will get the best results if boiled just before roasting. Unfortunately, these cannot be prepped this way.
Don
My wife and I are both from Italian families. My grandma did it at high heat, my in-laws at lower heat for longer… everyone has their method. Your recipe is the best and gives consistent results. Even my mom is looking at me to see how I’m preparing them. Thanks for sharing.
Grazie
Donato
Maria
My pleasure Don! Enjoy!
Donna
So So glad I found this recipe….so tired of throwing away chestnuts that wouldn’t come out of the shell or came out with the fuzzy stuff attached that left a horrible feeling in your mouth…nobody in the family ever boiled them! It was slit, soak and bake…you won’t be disappointed!
Maria
Thanks so much Donna!
Lisa Aylesworth
This worked wonderfully, thanks! I will roast more chestnuts throughout the season now that I know the easy way to do it.
Maria
How wonderful Lisa! Thanks so much for sharing!
Ginny
I was searching for a way to roast chestnuts and found this. I love your article ❤️ not only it was written clearly and easily to understand but also felt touched by your sweet childhood memories! Thank you.
Maria
Thank you so much for your kind words Ginny ♥
Frances
Picked chestnuts today at a local orchard and followed your directions. Best chestnuts ever. Worked perfectly. Thank you
Maria
Oh my! Freshly picked chestnuts! How wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing Frances!
Vicki
After trying various methods this one is definitely the best.
Maria
Thanks so much Vicki!
Allie
After having roasted chestnuts from the street vendors in Switzerland, I’ve tried a few times to recreate that deliciousness. With other recipes I’ve ended up with either ch chestnuts that were impossible to open or ones that were tough and chewy. These came out absolutely perfect! Thank you, I’ll come back to this recipe again;
Maria
Thanks so much for sharing Allie!
Teri
I’m lucky to have access to harvest chestnuts, so I get exercise too! I moved here a couple years ago.
Lory
I’m first generation Italian and remember my mom roasting chestnuts on the stove top this time of year. My dad had taken an old frying pan and punched holes in it with a hammer and a nail. It takes longer than the oven but results are the same. Red wine always accompanied the roasted chestnuts. I’ve done the same thing but I’ll have to try this oven method.
Maria
Thanks for sharing Lory!