Buzz
If you're not a fan of the soft, coconut taste of fresh Brazil nuts, coat them lightly with oil and toast them until they're crispy. Roasting Brazil nuts in the oven, on the stove, or in the microwave is a straightforward process, allowing you to prepare a large batch for later use. Enjoy the delightful nutty flavor of these crunchy nuts in granola, cereal, or trail mix.
Ingredients
Oven-Roasted Brazil Nuts
- 3 cups (400 g) Brazil nuts
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) ground cinnamon, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) mixed spice or cayenne pepper, optional
- 2 tablespoons (42 g) honey or maple syrup, optional
Yields 3 cups (400 g) of Brazil nuts
Stovetop-Toasted Nuts
- 1 cup (133 g) Brazil nuts
- 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) vegetable oil or melted butter, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) ground cinnamon, optional
- 1 pinch of mixed spice or cayenne pepper, optional
- 2 teaspoons (28 g) honey or maple syrup, optional
Yields 1 cup (133 g) of Brazil nuts
Instructions
Oven Roasted Brazil Nuts Recipe
Preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C) and lay out Brazil nuts on a baking sheet with edges. For a large batch, scatter 3 cups (400 g) of shelled Brazil nuts on a rimmed baking sheet.
- If you prefer a smaller batch, feel free to adjust accordingly. Alternatively, divide the nuts between two baking sheets if you're roasting a larger quantity.
Coat the nuts with oil, sweeteners, or spices as desired. While you can simply toast the nuts plain, enhance their flavor by drizzling with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vegetable oil or melted butter. For sweetness, incorporate 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (42 g) of honey or maple syrup. If you prefer a hint of spice, add 1 teaspoon (2 g) of ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of mixed spice or cayenne pepper.
- Once seasoned, arrange the nuts in a single layer on the baking sheet.
Pro Tip: Experiment with your preferred seasonings. Consider using 1 1/2 teaspoons (3 g) of alternative spices like cajun seasoning, curry powder, or rosemary.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the nuts for 8 to 10 minutes. Nuts roast quickly, so ensure to stir them every few minutes to prevent uneven browning. Roast until fragrant and lightly browned.
- To check for doneness, use tongs to remove a nut from the sheet. Cut it in half to ensure it's uniformly light brown. If not, continue roasting for an additional minute and recheck.
Transfer the toasted nuts to a different baking sheet and let them cool completely. Use oven mitts to remove the Brazil nuts from the oven, then promptly transfer them to a clean rimmed baking sheet. Allow the nuts to cool thoroughly before storing or consuming them.
- Leaving the nuts on the hot baking sheet will cause them to continue cooking due to residual heat, prolonging the cooling process.
- To store the Brazil nuts, place them in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Creating Stovetop-Toasted Nuts
Add 1 cup (133 g) of Brazil nuts to a dry skillet. Heat a large skillet on the stove and spread the nuts evenly across the pan, ensuring they form a single layer for even cooking.
- Avoid using additional oil or melted butter since the nuts already contain natural oils, and excess oil could cause burning.
Set the burner to medium heat and start shaking the skillet. Wearing oven mitts, grasp the skillet handle and gently shake it back and forth to keep the nuts in contact with the heat source.
- Shaking the skillet ensures all the nuts are evenly toasted, but if preferred, you can stir them continuously with a spoon or spatula.
Toast the nuts for 2 to 4 minutes. Stovetop toasting is much quicker than oven roasting, so stay attentive. Continue shaking the skillet until the nuts emit a fragrant aroma and turn a light brown color.
- Avoid leaving the nuts unattended as they can quickly burn or develop uneven browning if not stirred or shaken.
Transfer the nuts to a tray and let them cool or add seasoning. Gently transfer the toasted nuts onto a rimmed baking sheet or plate. You can allow them to cool completely or sprinkle them with any of the following flavorings before they finish cooling:
- 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of melted butter
- 2 teaspoons (28 g) of honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch of mixed spice or cayenne pepper.
Pro Tip: Store the cooled Brazil nuts in an airtight container. Keep the nuts at room temperature and consume them within 1 week.
Microwave Method for Brazil Nuts
Place 1 cup (133 g) of nuts into a microwave-safe dish. Use a shallow bowl or pie plate to arrange the Brazil nuts in a single layer. If you prefer to toast fewer nuts, it's acceptable to use a smaller quantity.
- If you intend to roast more nuts, microwave them in multiple batches rather than all at once. Overcrowding the dish will result in steaming instead of toasting.
Coat the nuts with optional oil, butter, spices, or sweeteners. For a more indulgent flavor, combine 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of vegetable oil or melted butter with the nuts, adding 2 teaspoons (28 g) of honey or maple syrup for sweetness, if desired. To create spiced nuts, incorporate 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground cinnamon and a pinch of mixed spice or cayenne pepper.
Pro Tip: Customize the spices according to your taste preferences. For instance, if you desire smoky, spiced nuts, replace the cinnamon with smoked paprika or opt for ground ginger instead of mixed spice for a zesty kick.
Microwave the nuts for 1 minute. Place the Brazil nuts dish in the microwave and set it to full power. Let the nuts microwave uninterrupted for a full minute without stirring.
Stir the nuts and microwave them in 30-second intervals until they turn pale brown. Gently stir the hot nuts and spread them out into a single layer again. Microwave for another 30 seconds before stirring. Repeat this process until the nuts become fragrant and lightly browned.
- The total microwave time depends on your microwave and the quantity of nuts you're toasting.
Take out the nuts and let them cool in a separate dish. Wear oven mitts to remove the dish from the microwave, then carefully transfer the toasted nuts to another dish or a rimmed baking sheet. Allow the nuts to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container or enjoying them.
- For storage, keep the airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Pro Tips
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Because Brazil nuts have a subtle taste, it's exciting to try out different flavor combinations. Consider adding a dash of your preferred hot sauce, spice blend, or sweetener before toasting the nuts.
Essentials
Oven-Baked Brazil Nuts
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Oven mitts
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Stovetop-Toast Necessities
- Skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven mitts
- Spoon or spatula
Microwave Method for Brazil Nuts
- Microwave
- Microwave-safe bowl or pie plate
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven mitts
