Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to roast hazelnuts to perfection every single time. Add a delicious crunch to savory dishes and desserts. Includes two methods for roasting hazelnuts.
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Roasting hazelnuts, also known as filberts, is one of the easiest techniques to elevate this nut’s flavor and texture.
On their own, they make a great healthy snack.
Or, chop them up and use them to garnish crepes, salads, stir-fries, pasta and vegetable side dishes like sauteed cabbage or garlic Brussels sprouts. They are also great for making various decadent cakes or, if you prefer, this crunchy chocolate biscotti recipe.
Whirling roasted hazelnuts in a blender transforms them into luxurious nut butter. Go one step further, add cocoa and a little sweetener and make a chocolate hazelnut butter that can be used to fill this braided bread recipe.
But before we can indulge in these wonderful recipes, we must roast them.
When toasting a small number of shelled whole hazelnuts, use a skillet on your stovetop. For larger quantities, use your oven.
How to roast nuts in the oven
Adjust the oven rack to the middle of the oven.
Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
Spread the shelled hazelnuts in a single layer on an ungreased rimmed baking sheet. There is no need for parchment paper.
Roast in the oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until fragrant, the skins have browned and begin to split and crack. Shake the baking sheet occasionally as they are roasting in the oven.
How to toast nuts on the stovetop
Place a large, dry skillet over medium heat. Add the small number of nuts required once the pan is nice and hot. Swirl the pan continuously so that they toast evenly. There is no need to oil or grease the pan.
Toast for about 5-7 minutes, until fragrant and the skins have browned and begun to split and crack.
How to remove the skins
There are two methods to remove the skins after roasting the hazelnuts in the oven or toasting them in a skillet.
The first method involves wrapping the warm hazelnuts in a clean tea towel for 5-10 minutes. Then, use a towel to rub them together. This creates friction which in turn causes them to lose their skin.
The second method involves placing the nuts in a bowl, covering them with another bowl and shaking them.
Once again, the friction causes them to lose their skin.
How to store
Once the roasted hazelnuts have cooled down completely to room temperature, store them in a Mason jar or similar airtight container for up to 3 months at room temperature.
Consider placing them in the fridge for up to 6 months or freezing them for up to one year for long-term storage.
All nuts and seeds contain oil, so they can easily go rancid if not stored properly. Please note that depending on the freshness of the hazelnuts, these storage periods are only estimates.
Tips
- As nuts can scorch easily from one minute to another, keep a close watch while roasting or toasting.
- Once roasted (or toasted), transfer the hazelnuts immediately from the pan or baking sheet to a tea towel or bowl to remove the skins. This halts the cooking process.
- Although removing the entire skin from the hazelnut is sometimes difficult, it will not affect the overall taste.
- Roasted hazelnuts make a great addition to a cheese platter.
FAQ
Yes, both of these names describe the fruit from the filbert tree. [source]
One serving of hazelnuts is 1 ounce or 28 grams. This is approximately 21 hazelnuts. [source]
Hazelnut recipes
Baci Chocolate Recipe
This Baci chocolate recipe is a delicious and nut-filled treat you can easily make at home. Use skinless hazelnuts to make amazing homemade chocolates!
The flavor of roasted hazelnuts is delicious in both sweet and savory dishes.
As mentioned, they are great to make biscotti with and provide the perfect crunch in these Italian brutti ma buoni cookies.
Chopped roasted hazelnuts are also great sprinkled on salads and pasta dishes.
I do hope you get a chance to try them!
Enjoy!
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
★★★★★ I would love to hear about your favorite recipe that includes roasted hazelnuts!
Recipe
How to Roast Hazelnuts (Filberts)
Ingredients
- 2 cups hazelnuts shelled, whole
- salt optional
Instructions
How to roast nuts in the oven
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Adjust the oven rack to the middle of the oven.
- Spread the hazelnuts in a single layer on an ungreased rimmed baking sheet.
- Roast in the oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until fragrant, the skins have browned and begin to split and crack. Shake the baking sheet occasionally as they are roasting in the oven.
How to toast nuts on the stovetop
- Place a large, dry skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is nice and hot, add the small number of nuts required. Swirl the pan continuously so that they toast evenly.
- Toast for about 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant, the skins have browned and begin to split and crack.
How to remove the skins
- The first method involves wrapping the warm hazelnuts in a clean tea towel for 5-10 minutes. Then, use a tea towel to rub them together. This creates friction which causes them to lose their skin.
- The second method involves placing the nuts in a bowl, covering them with another bowl and shake.
- Add a pinch of and enjoy as a snack or use store to be used later.
Notes
- As nuts can scorch very easily from one minute to another, keep a close watch as they are roasting or toasting.
- Once roasted (or toasted) transfer the hazelnuts immediately from the pan or baking sheet to a tea towel or bowl for the skins to be removed. This halts the cooking process.
- Although it is sometimes difficult to remove the entire skin from the hazelnut, it will not affect the overall taste.
- Roasted hazelnuts make a great addition to a cheese platter.
Teena
I remember roasting hazelnuts one Thanksgiving and the organist of our church, who had never tasted them before loved them. I decided to roast some for a Christmas gift for him. I don’t even remember if I put them back in the original packaging after I roasted them or a pretty Dollar store container, either way he loved them so much I remember seeing him leaving church that Christmas eating them! They are great gifts if you don’t eat them all right out of the oven! LOL
Maria
Thanks for sharing Teena! They really are a special treat!
val
This is one of my favorite nuts! I love to bake with them.
Maria
Thanks Val. I agree, they are great to use in baked goods. Thanks for stopping by.