How to Roast and Peel Hazelnuts

Name: How to Roast and Peel Hazelnuts
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup raw hazelnuts (or more); baking sheet

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While these nuts are also enjoyable when eaten raw, roasted hazelnuts are even better because the roasting enhances the nuts' natural sweetness. Buttery and sweet, they make a fantastic addition to baking, desserts, salads, and many other dishes. And they are so quick and easy to make.

Roasted hazelnuts in a brown decorative dish.

Hazelnuts, also known as filberts or cobnuts, have a very useful flavour because it is strong enough to hold its own against other strong flavours without getting lost. This is why they so popularly used with chocolate. You can see this in my delicious chocolate hazelnut cookies; the flavour combination is amazing.

Hazelnuts are encased in a bitter skin that is usually removed before eating. However, if you follow these easy steps for roasting hazelnuts, the skins will basically fall off with just a little rubbing.

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What You Will Need
Instructions
Storage
What is the difference between roasted and toasted?
How to use them
FAQ
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What You Will Need

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F/180°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (this is optional but makes clean up really easy later). Spread the hazelnuts out over the baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place it on a heat-safe surface. Allow the hazelnuts to completely cool. The nuts are still steaming inside of their skins during the cooling period.

Roasted hazelnuts steaming in their peels.

Once your roasted hazelnuts have cooled, it's time to peel them removing the skins. You can do this different ways:

Option 1: Take a handful of nuts into a clean, rough dish towel and just rub them with the towel. The skins will flake off.

Using a rough dish towel to remove the peel from roasted hazelnuts.

Option 2: Take a handful of the nuts between two hands and gently rub them together.

Using hands to rub roasted hazelnuts together, causing the peel to flake off.

Whichever method you choose, repeat it in batches until you have peeled all of your roasted hazelnuts.

Tip: Removing the peel from hazelnuts is easy but it can be messy. Make sure to do it over a cloth, some paper towel, or a tray for easy clean up and disposal of the peels.

Storage

You can store any extras in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, or frozen in a freezer bag for up to a year. I like to have them ready and on hand for easy salads or impromptu baking.

What is the difference between roasted and toasted?

Although these expressions are often used interchangeably, there is a difference. Toasted nuts are cooked at a high temperature for a short duration to brown them on the outside. Roasted nuts, on the other hand, are cooked at a lower temperature for a longer period of time until they are cooked through.

These hazelnuts are cooked through using the roasting method, however, they are also browned on the outside so they can be used if a recipe calls for toasted hazelnuts, as well.

How to use them

A topping for salads.
Chopped up and used in baked goods, such as breads, muffins, cakes, pies, or cookies. Especially those with chocolate.
On top of pudding, ice cream, berry bowls, yogurt or oatmeal.
Ground up and used as a crust for fish.
A tasty addition to your favourite pesto recipe.
To make hazelnut butter or chocolate hazelnut spread.
As is or coated with cinnamon, cayenne, or other spices, for a snack.

Do you have a favourite way to use roasted hazelnuts? Let me know in the comments!

Note: Toasted pine nuts make for another tasty and nutty salad topper!

FAQ

Do hazelnuts go bad?

Yes, like many nuts, their high fat content can cause them to go bad fairly quickly. If the hazelnuts develop a bitter taste, have an off odour, or exhibit any mold, they are likely rancid and should not be eaten. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you want to keep them for longer than 6 months, you can freeze them for up to a year.

Are roasted hazelnuts healthy?

Roasted hazelnuts are packed with nutrients (vitamins, antioxidants, healthy fats) and have many health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, improving blood sugar levels, and helping to regulate blood pressure. The roasting process does not remove nutrients from hazelnuts and they are nutritionally equivalent to eating the raw version.

Are roasted hazelnuts gluten-free?

Yes, roasted hazelnuts are gluten-free and safe for those with gluten intolerances.

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