Guide to Roast Hazelnuts to Perfection

Hazelnuts have always held a special place in my heart. The aroma of freshly roasted hazelnuts wafting through my kitchen always brings me back to my childhood, autumn gatherings, and cozy gatherings.

While raw hazelnuts are perfectly pleasant, roasting them transforms them into something extraordinary. This process intensifies their flavor and adds layers of complexity and depth you simply can’t find in their raw state.

If you’ve never roasted a nut before, don’t worry. I’ll walk you through two foolproof methods that always work well for me: the oven and the stovetop.

Why Roast Hazelnuts at Home?

Sure, you can find pre-roasted hazelnuts at the grocery store, but trust me, it doesn’t compare to the experience of roasting them yourself. Here are some of the advantages

• Freshness: When you roast hazelnuts at home, you’re not just heating them up. The gentle heat brings out their natural oils and intensifies their natural sweetness and nutty notes. The result is a flavor that store-bought versions simply can’t match. 
• Customization: One of the greatest joys of doing it yourself is the ability to control the outcome. Prefer a delicate, golden hue with a hint of toastiness? No problem. Craving a deeper roast that borders on caramelized? You’ve got it. The level of roast is entirely in your hands.
• Warmth and crispness: There’s something undeniably special about enjoying freshly roasted hazelnuts. The moment they come out of the oven or pan, they offer a crispness and warmth that pre-packaged nuts can’t match. 
• Budget-Friendly: Let’s not forget the financial perk! Roasting your own hazelnuts can save you a pretty penny compared to purchasing them pre-roasted. Raw hazelnuts are generally more affordable, and with a little effort, you can transform them into a gourmet snack that rivals anything you’ll find on the shelves.

Tools & Ingredients You’ll Need

As a first step, let’s make sure you have everything you need:

• Hazelnuts: The stars of the show!
• Rimmed baking sheet: If roasting in the oven, you’ll need a baking sheet, ideally with a rim to prevent any accidental spills into the oven.
• Parchment paper: (Optional) Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper ensures easy cleanup.
• Nonstick skillet: For stovetop roasting, a quality non-stick skillet is essential.
• Wooden spoon: This is perfect for stirring the hazelnuts as they roast on the stovetop.
• Clean kitchen towel: A kitchen or tea towel will be used to steam and then remove the skins from the toasted hazelnuts.

Getting Your Hazelnuts Roast-Ready

Before we fire up the oven or stove, let’s make sure we achieve the best possible result. The quality of your raw ingredients will impact the outcome. It all begins with selecting the freshest nuts possible.

Look for hazelnuts that are plump and uniform in size, with unbroken shells. If you’re buying them in bulk, give them a gentle shake; you shouldn’t hear much rattling. For pre-shelled nuts, choose vacuum-sealed packages with a “best by” date clearly displayed.

Check out our comprehensive guide on selecting quality hazelnuts for more detailed tips.

Other Preparation Questions

Let’s address some common questions about preparing hazelnuts for roasting:

Can you roast hazelnuts in their shells? 

Technically, you can roast hazelnuts in their shells. However, it’s generally not recommended, as the shells can easily scorch during roasting and leave a burnt taste on the nuts. 

Can you roast green hazelnuts?

You can, but it’s not recommended. Green hazelnuts are unripe and haven’t developed their full flavor. They’re also much harder to shell. It’s best to wait until they’ve matured and turned brown.

Can you roast blanched hazelnuts?

Yes, you can. Blanched hazelnuts are already skinned, so they’ll toast a bit faster. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.

Roasting Hazelnuts in the Oven

The oven method offers a convenient, hands-off approach to roasting hazelnuts, ideal for larger batches. Here’s how to achieve perfectly toasted nuts with minimal effort:

1. Preheat Your Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This usually takes about 15-20 minutes, so plan accordingly.

2. Prep Your Baking Sheet

Spread your hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet.

3. Roast and Observe

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Roast the hazelnuts for 10-15 minutes, watching their color carefully, and give them a gentle stir to ensure they roast evenly. You’ll notice some skins loosening and turning brown, a good indicator of progress.

4. Remove and Steam

When the hazelnuts turn a beautiful golden brown, it’s time to take them out of the oven. If you prefer a more intense, toasty flavor, you can leave them in for an extra minute or two, but watch them closely to avoid burning. 

After that, transfer them to a clean kitchen towel, wrap them up, and let them steam for a few minutes. This step helps loosen the skins further.

5. Rub and Enjoy

Gently rub the hazelnuts together within the towel to remove the skins.

Don’t worry if a few stubborn ones remain; you can easily pick them off by hand.

Now, your perfectly roasted hazelnuts are ready to savor!

Roasting Hazelnuts on the Stovetop

If you’re roasting a smaller batch or prefer a more hands-on approach, the stovetop method is a great option. However, it does require a bit more attention to detail to ensure even roasting.

1. Heat Your Pan

Choose a large skillet or frying pan and warm it up over medium heat.

2. Add the Hazelnuts

Once the pan is warm, add your hazelnuts in a single layer, making sure they have space to move around without overlapping. There’s no need to add oil; the hazelnuts’ natural oils will release as they toast.

3. Roast and Stir

Roast the hazelnuts for 5-8 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. This ensures even toasting and prevents the nuts from burning. If you think the fire is too strong, it’s fine to decrease to medium-low heat.

Pay extra attention towards the end, as they can quickly go from perfectly roasted to burnt.

4. Steam and Skin

Once the hazelnuts have reached a lovely golden brown color, remove them from the heat. Transfer them to a dish towel, wrap them up, and let them steam for a few minutes.

Just like we did with the oven method, rub the nuts together in the towel to remove the loosened skins.

That’s it! Your stovetop-roasted hazelnuts are ready to be enjoyed in all their flavorful glory.

My Take on The Oven vs. The Stovetop Methods

As I said before, both the oven and stovetop methods deliver excellent roasted hazelnuts, but each has its own strengths.

As you can see in the photo below, the oven-roasted hazelnuts (left) have a uniform golden brown color. On the other hand, the stovetop hazelnuts (right) vary slightly in shade due to the direct contact with the hot pan.

Personally, I lean towards the oven method. While the stove is quicker for smaller batches, it demands constant attention and a careful hand to ensure even roasting. The oven is more forgiving and allows the hazelnuts to toast gently and evenly with minimal intervention. Plus, the aroma that fills your kitchen while they roast is simply divine!

But hey, that’s just my two cents. I encourage you to experiment with both methods and discover your own favorite way to roast hazelnuts!

Uses and Ideas for Toasted Hazelnuts

Once you’ve mastered the art of roasting hazelnuts, the culinary possibilities are endless. Here are some fun and creative ways to enjoy them:

Flavorful Enhancements

While roasted hazelnuts are delicious on their own, you can improve them with simple additions. Here are a few suggestions:

• A sprinkle of salt: This classic pairing enhances the natural sweetness and nuttiness.
• Sugar dusting: Toss with granulated or powdered sugar for a candied crunch.
• Warming spices: Mix with cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger before roasting for a cozy twist.
• Honey drizzle: A touch of honey adds a sticky-sweet glaze.
• Chocolate: Dip in melted chocolate and let cool for an irresistible treat.
• Herbal infusion: Sprinkle with dried thyme or rosemary for an earthy aroma.
• Spicy kick: Add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper for a fiery touch.
• Parmesan pairing: Combine with grated Parmesan cheese for a salty, umami taste.

Feel free to experiment and create your own signature flavor combinations! For more ideas, check out our post on foods that pair well with hazelnuts.

Pro Tip

For a more intense flavor, toss the hazelnuts with a bit of oil and your chosen seasoning before roasting.

Creative Ways to Use Toasted Hazelnuts

Roasted hazelnuts can be enjoyed whole as a snack, but their culinary potential goes far beyond that. Here are some of my favorite ways to use them:

Flour

Grind the hazelnuts into a fine flour using a food processor or blender. This handy ingredient can be used in gluten-free baking, as a coating for meats or fish, or even as a thickener for soups and sauces. (Don’t forget to check out our step-by-step guide on making hazelnut flour!)

Chopped

Pulse them briefly for a coarse texture. This is a perfect solution for adding extra crunch to salads, yogurt, ice cream, and more.

My favorite way is to spread it over my oats, which I always thought lacked crunchiness. Well, problem solved! Have a look at today’s breakfast; it doesn’t get much healthier than that.

Butter

Blend them into a smooth, creamy spread that rivals peanut butter. Enjoy it on toast, as a dip, or in smoothies.

Oil

Pressed from toasted hazelnuts, this oil is a wonderful addition to salad dressings, roasted vegetables, or even as a finishing drizzle for soups.

How to Store Your Roasted Hazelnuts for Lasting Freshness

To keep your roasted hazelnuts at their best, proper storage is essential. Remember, foods with a high fat content, like hazelnuts, are particularly susceptible to spoilage if not handled correctly. Here’s how to keep them at their best:

Airtight Container: Once your hazelnuts have cooled completely, transfer them to an airtight container. Glass jars or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids work well. This will protect them from moisture, which can quickly lead to staleness.

Refrigerate: For optimal freshness, store the sealed container in the refrigerator. This will extend their shelf life to about a month.

Freeze for Long-Term Storage: If you have a large batch or want to keep them even longer, hazelnuts freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe bag and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. They’ll stay good for up to three months in the freezer.

Additional Tips

• If you notice any off smells, strange flavors, or even a bitter taste, discard the hazelnuts immediately, as they may have gone rancid.
• To restore some of their crunch after a long storage period, briefly re-toast them in a dry skillet or oven before using them.

Conclusion

There you have it; a complete guide to roasting hazelnuts. It doesn’t matter if you prefer the gentle warmth of the oven or the focused heat of the stovetop; the secret is to embrace the process and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

So, go ahead and experiment! Try different roasting times and temperatures, explore various flavor combinations, and discover your own unique ways to incorporate this healthy snack into your favorite dishes. With a little practice and a whole lot of creativity, you’ll soon be a hazelnut roasting pro.