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How to Toast Nuts in The Microwave

Short on time but want to add more flavor to your regular nuts for recipes that require some nutty crunch? Learn how to toast nuts in the microwave!

How To Toast Nuts In The Microwave -- if you're short on time but want to add more flavor to your regular nuts for salad toppers or other recipes that require some nutty crunch, try toasting a bunch in the microwave… 1/2 cup will be ready in less than 5 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to put the rest of your dish together! | how to toast nuts | how to toast nuts recipe | how to toast nuts oven | how to toast nuts microwave | fine the recipe on unsophisticook.com

It’s no secret that the so-called “secret ingredient” in many of my favorite recipes is toasted nuts. They add such a delicious warm and toasty flavor that really elevates a recipe to the next level!

How To Toast Nuts In The Microwave

While my preferred method of toasting them is via the oven, there are times when I just need a small handful… Say for a tasty salad at lunch — like this Wendy’s knock-off apple pecan chicken salad. Crunchy toasted pecans sprinkled on top are a must!

Firing up the oven for a just a small handful or nuts seems like such a waste. So when that hankering hits, I turn to my microwave for a quick and easy mini batch of toasted nuts.

How to Toast Nuts in The Microwave

How to Toast Nuts in The Microwave

Yield: 1 cup
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole walnuts, or your desired nuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • fine sea salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Toss one cup of nuts with the vegetable oil. Spread the oiled nuts out in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Toast in one-minute intervals, stirring between each interval. One cup of nuts will take can take anywhere from 3 to 8 minutes overall, depending on the quantity and size of the nuts used.
  3. To make salted nuts: Toss toasted nuts with fine sea salt to taste.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 218Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 20mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 5g

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

Have you tried this recipe?

Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Tag it @unsophisticook and hashtag it #unsophisticook!

 
See — easy, huh? Microwave-toasted nuts won’t brown as much, and as a result I think they’re slightly less flavorful. But the time and energy savings make this a good tradeoff for small quantities.

What’s your preferred method for toasting nuts?

Librarian Lauren

Monday 20th of November 2017

I put them on in my panini press and leave them just until they start to smell good. Then I turn off the machine and leave them there. This usually lets them finish toasting without burning

Tara @ Unsophisticook

Monday 20th of November 2017

Excellent idea -- thanks for sharing!

Jennifer Velazquez

Tuesday 7th of July 2015

I just tried this technique and I loved it so much! It made my sunflower seeds taste amazing. Thanks!! :)

Tara @ Unsophisticook

Wednesday 8th of July 2015

What a great idea -- I hadn't even considered doing this with sunflower seeds. Yum!

Ron

Tuesday 29th of January 2013

My wife and I replicated the Wendy's salad last night for dinner. Delicious. To toast the nuts we used our counter-top toaster oven. It heats up quickly and toasts the nuts in a few minutes. Almost as quickly as the microwave. A person must be vigilant, however, as the nuts can burn or over cook easily. We make a lot of different salads at home. This is one of the easiest to make and is absolutely fantastic. The Marzetti Pomegranate dressing is knock-out great. If it isn't available, Marie's Raspberry Vinaigrette is an excellent dressing also.

Jen

Sunday 4th of November 2012

I like YOUR idea! Hmm. I'm wondering. I've got one of those flat, small, toaster ovens -- the kind that a cupcake would be too tall. I wonder if I microwave like you said, while preheating that little oven. Then when done, stick them in that for like 1 minute, just to crisp them a little? It wouldn't take much more effort or time, thanks to your idea!!!

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