Are you a fan of roasted hazelnuts? Do you love the nutty flavor and crunchy texture they add to your favorite dishes?
If so, you’ll be happy to know that toasting hazelnuts in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve that perfect roast.
With just a few simple steps, you can have perfectly toasted hazelnuts ready for snacking or adding to your favorite recipes.
In this article, we’ll show you how to toast hazelnuts in an air fryer and share some delicious recipes that you can make with your newly roasted nuts.
So, let’s get started!
How To Toast Hazelnuts In Air Fryer
Toasting hazelnuts in an air fryer is a simple process that requires just a few steps. Here’s how to do it:
1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
2. Add the hazelnuts to the air fryer basket, making sure they are in an even layer.
3. Air fry the hazelnuts for five minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
4. Once they are done, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a plate or clean dish towel to cool.
5. Once they are cool enough to handle, lightly rub the hazelnuts together in your hands or with a clean dish towel to remove as much of the skin as possible.
That’s it! Your perfectly toasted hazelnuts are now ready to enjoy.
Why Air Fryer Is The Perfect Tool For Toasting Hazelnuts
The air fryer is the perfect tool for toasting hazelnuts because it provides the ideal dry, fast-moving, indirect heat that brings out the most flavor in these heart-healthy treats. The air fryer’s unique cooking method ensures that the hazelnuts are perfectly crunchy and golden brown with minimal time and effort.
Compared to traditional methods of toasting hazelnuts, such as using the stovetop or oven, the air fryer is much faster and requires less clean-up. Additionally, the air fryer allows you to toast hazelnuts without using any oil or butter, making it a healthier option.
Another advantage of using an air fryer to toast hazelnuts is that it can accommodate a variety of nut sizes. Most nuts can be toasted directly in the air fryer basket, while smaller nuts like pine nuts and sliced almonds can be toasted in a heat-safe baking dish that can sit inside the basket.
Preparing Hazelnuts For Toasting In Air Fryer
Before toasting hazelnuts in an air fryer, it’s important to prepare them properly. If your hazelnuts still have their shells on, you’ll need to remove them using a nut cracker. Once the shells are removed, place the hazelnuts on a baking pan and spread them out evenly, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Preheat your oven to 390°F / 200°C / 190°C fan oven and roast the hazelnuts for approximately 20 minutes. Be sure to turn them halfway through cooking to ensure they roast evenly. Keep an eye on the nuts as they can burn quite easily.
Once the hazelnuts are roasted, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool down. The skins on the nuts will not be really flaky at this point, so you’ll need to rub them with your hands or roll them in a towel to loosen and remove as much skin as possible. Discard the skins and place the roasted nuts in a container for storage or use them in your favorite recipe.
If you prefer to use an air fryer to toast your hazelnuts, simply place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for five minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Once they’re done, remove them from the air fryer and follow the same process for removing the skin as described above.
Properly preparing your hazelnuts before toasting them in an air fryer is essential for achieving that perfect toasted flavor and texture.
Toasting Hazelnuts In Air Fryer: Step By Step Guide
If you’re looking to toast hazelnuts in an air fryer, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out.
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
Step 2: Add the hazelnuts to the air fryer basket, making sure they are in an even layer. You can use any raw nuts of your choice such as almonds, peanuts, cashews, or pecans.
Step 3: Air fry the hazelnuts for about six minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The timings may vary depending on the nuts used. Almonds take about six minutes, peanuts take ten minutes, and cashews take eight minutes. Keep an eye on the nuts and make sure they don’t burn.
Step 4: Once they are done, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a plate or clean dish towel to cool. It’s important to let them cool completely before storing them in a glass container.
Step 5: Once they are cool enough to handle, lightly rub the hazelnuts together in your hands or with a clean dish towel to remove as much of the skin as possible. Rubbing them together will help remove the skin easily and give you a clean nut.
Toasted hazelnuts are excellent as a snack or as a key ingredient in many delicious dishes. You can use them to make nut butter or snacks like trail mix or honey roasted nuts. With this step-by-step guide, you can easily toast hazelnuts in an air fryer and enjoy their nutty flavor in no time.
Tips For Achieving The Perfect Toasted Hazelnuts
Achieving the perfect toasted hazelnuts requires a bit of patience and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you get it just right:
1. Use a low temperature: Roasting hazelnuts at a low temperature (around 265°F) will help dry out the nuts without burning them. This ensures an even roast and prevents the nuts from becoming too dry or burnt.
2. Roast for longer: Hazelnuts are a heartier nut and will take longer to roast than other nuts. Roasting them for just over an hour at a low temperature will result in a perfectly golden hue and a satisfying crunch.
3. Toast in the oven: While air fryers can be a quick and convenient way to toast hazelnuts, using an oven provides uniform, even heat that ensures the nuts are toasted from the inside out. This results in a perfectly roasted nut with no burnt exterior or un-toasted interior.
4. Don’t overcrowd: When toasting hazelnuts, it’s important to spread them out in a single layer on your baking sheet or air fryer basket. Overcrowding can result in uneven toasting and prevent the nuts from roasting evenly.
5. Remove the skins: While hazelnut skins are edible and contain many nutrients, some people prefer to remove them for a smoother texture. To remove the skins, rub the cooled hazelnuts together in your hands or with a clean dish towel. The skins should come off easily, leaving you with perfectly toasted hazelnuts ready to use in your favorite recipes.
Delicious Recipes To Make With Toasted Hazelnuts
Toasted hazelnuts are a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. Here are some delicious recipes to try out:
1. Hazelnut and Arugula Pesto Pasta: Toss together cooked pasta, arugula, and a homemade pesto made with toasted hazelnuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
2. Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: Blend together toasted hazelnuts, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla extract, and coconut oil to make a homemade Nutella-like spread.
3. Hazelnut Crusted Chicken: Coat chicken breasts in a mixture of toasted hazelnuts, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese before baking in the oven.
4. Hazelnut Biscotti: Add chopped toasted hazelnuts to a classic biscotti recipe for a nutty twist on this Italian cookie.
5. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Hazelnuts: Toss roasted Brussels sprouts with toasted hazelnuts and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a delicious side dish.
No matter what recipe you choose, toasted hazelnuts are sure to add a delicious crunch and nutty flavor to your dish.
