Guide to Roasting Acorns Over a Campfire

Preparing acorns over the campfire can be a great experience. There’s a good chance that acorns will be available in large amounts if you camp in the fall. Furthermore, you can have fun with family and friends in such a bonding activity. However, there are some things to consider in order to do it safely.

Important Things to Consider

You should never forget that acorns are high in tannins, which can cause harm to humans. Roasting is not an efficient way of removing the tannins in acorns.

We understand that removing tannins can take time and is not practical in the wild. However, if you have a pot with you at the campsite, you can boil them, even if only a couple of times. Even if you don’t do the regular acorn leaching, it would still remove a good amount of tannins.

Know Your Species

Knowing the acorn species you are about to roast over the fire makes it easy to check if they’re high or low in tannins. That way, you could avoid some species with a high level of this compound and roast only those with low levels.

Because high tannin levels lead to a bitter taste, it will taste better and be less damaging to your body. At least you can eat a few without worrying too much, even though this does not mean you can eat as many as you like.

We have a blog post about the tastiest acorn varieties with the fewest tannin levels. Have a look and take some notes before going on your adventure.

Don’t Overindulge

Here’s a final piece of advice: do not eat too many acorns in the wild. It doesn’t matter if you know the species or if they don’t taste too bitter, even if you give it a quick boil.

If you are in the wild, there is a good chance the tannins are not entirely removed, and you will be consuming a bit of this compound. If they are not too bitter, have a few and experience what many generations did before us. But don’t make it a whole meal.

Things You Will Need:

Before we start, let’s have a look at the things you will need.

• Acorns
• A sharp knife or hammer
• A skillet or frying pan
• A base for the skillet (optional)
• A spatula or wooden spoon
• Spices and seasonings (optional)

How to Roast Acorns Over a Fire

Let’s start by taking something out of the way. Some people try to roast acorns directly over the fire, as with marshmallows. You cannot do that because it will burn the acorn quickly and not roast in on the inside. Follow these steps to do it properly.

1. Shell and Break the Acorns Into Chunks or Halves

The first step is to remove the shells and break the acorns into smaller pieces. You can do this with a knife or hammer.

2. Grease the Frying Pan and Put It on The Base

Put a bit of oil on a camping frying pan, just enough to gently grease the surface, and let it warm. A bit of olive oil will do fine. A base for the frying pan is optional, but it’s convenient because you won’t have to hold it the whole time.

3. Place the Acorns in The Skillet

Transfer the acorns to the skillet, ensuring they are spread out and not overlapping.

4. Stir the Acorns Regularly

While the acorns are cooking, stir them several times to ensure even browning and to avoid burning.

Generally speaking, roast them till crispy and golden brown. The number of acorns, size, skillet, and distance from the fire all influence how long this process takes.

It’s best to start by checking on them every few minutes and adjust according to your preferences.

5. Take the Acorns out Of the Skillet

When the acorns are a nice golden brown, remove them from the pan, let them cool a bit, and enjoy.

Conclusion

Roasting acorns over a campfire is a fun and delicious way to commemorate the fall camping season. However, you should always use caution while eating acorns since they contain a substance called tannins, which can be poisonous in large quantities. To minimize health risks, leach the acorns before roasting them. If you cannot do that, consider low-tannin kinds and avoid overeating.

Have fun roasting acorns with the sound of a guitar and the warmth of a fire in the wild.