How to Roast Hazelnuts

Learn How to Roast Hazelnuts, so you can enjoy this nutty goodness in your favorite salads, eat them as a snack, or make them into a delicious chocolate spread. You can roast them in the oven or toast them in a skillet to get a beautiful golden color, crunchy bite, and buttery nut flavor. And it’s easier than you think to peel and remove the skin with a few simple tricks you’ll find here!

Roasted Hazelnuts

Let’s be real here for a minute.

The main reason I wanted to know how to roast hazelnuts was to make my own Homemade Nutella recipe.

But then, in the midst of making the delightful chocolate spread, I found myself devouring this crunchy and perfectly toasted nut.

Having always been a huge fan of toasted pecans, roasted almonds, and even walnuts, hazelnuts were never really top of mind when it came to choosing a healthy nut to snack on.

That is, until I realized how delicious they taste when they’re roasted in the oven!

So whether you’re wanting to eat these nuts for a quick snack or use them in a healthy recipe, you’ll learn how to roast them in the oven or toast them in a skillet in less than 10 minutes!

Ingredients

There are really only a few ingredients you could need when making roasted hazelnuts:

• Hazelnuts. The ONLY thing that is required! When purchasing them at your grocery store you will have the option of buying either raw nuts or ones that are already roasted. Make sure you pick the raw hazelnuts if you are planning to roast them in the oven at home.
• Butter or oil: Toss the nuts in melted butter, olive oil, or avocado oil before baking for more of an umami flavor.
• Salt: Add a bit of sea salt to bring out their natural nutty flavor.
• Spices. Garlic salt, paprika, or other seasoning ingredients add something extra. Blackened Seasoning or Taco Seasoning would taste great on them, too!

How to Roast Hazelnuts

Whether on the stovetop or in the oven, toasting hazelnuts (also known as filberts) is incredibly simple and easy to do.

If using butter, oil, or seasoning ingredients, toss nuts in the mixture until lightly coated.

Roasting Hazelnuts in the Oven

The best roasting technique for a large batch is to use the oven.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a large, lightly colored rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the whole hazelnuts in a single layer on the sheet.

Toast the nuts in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, making sure you stir halfway through.

Roasting Hazelnuts in a Pan

An alternate method is to use your stove top, best for smaller amounts.

Heat a medium to large, non-stick dry skillet over medium-low or medium heat.

Add no more than 1 cup of nuts to the skillet in a single layer.

Toast for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are golden brown.

How to Peel Hazelnuts

Once you’ve got your hazelnuts roasted you’ll see that most of the skin starts to naturally peel off.

If you’re eating them as a snack, go ahead and keep the skin on. Hazelnuts’ skins have a lot of healthy nutrition, such as added fiber and magnesium.

However, if you’d prefer to peel the skin from the hazelnuts before using in a chocolate spread, then you can do this one of two ways: with your hands or with a towel.

Peel Hazelnuts with Hands

Let the roasted hazelnuts sit for 1 minute until they’re cool to the touch.

Rub hazelnut together using your hands to release any loose skins.

Remove Hazelnut Skin with Towel

Place roasted or toasted hazelnuts in a clean kitchen towel.

Close the towel and let steam for 1-2 minutes.

Rub the hazelnuts with the dish towel to remove any loose skins.

Are hazelnuts good for you?

Hazelnuts are full of dietary fiber, protein, antioxidants, and healthy omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, such as oleic acid. This makes them a filling and healthy snack option for almost everyone.

A single 1-ounce serving of hazelnuts contains 176 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, and 17 grams of fat.

Other healthy nutrients of hazelnuts include vitamin E, copper, manganese, magnesium, and vitamin B6.

Read more about the health benefits of hazelnuts.

Are hazelnuts tree nuts?

Yes, hazelnuts are tree nuts.  Other tree nuts include almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, and pecans.

Meal Prep and Storage

• How to store hazelnuts: Toasted hazelnuts do not need to be refrigerated if storing for less than a few weeks. Store roasted nuts in a cool, dry place for the best results. Roasted or toasted hazelnuts will last for up to 1-2 weeks if stored at room temperature and up to 3-4 months in the refrigerator.
• How to freeze hazelnuts: Seal in a freezer-safe airtight container or Ziploc bag and freeze for up to a year. Good nuts will emit a nutty aroma, whereas rancid hazelnuts give off a scent similar to paint thinner or rotten eggs.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Raw is best. Be sure to get plain, raw hazelnuts at the store or they will burn.
• Sugar and spice. To add some flavor to the hazelnuts when roasting, opt for butter or oil along with your favorite spices.
• Avoid dark. Stick with a light-colored baking sheet so the hazelnuts don’t burn.
• Give some pressure. Use your hands to gently but firmly rub the nuts to remove the skin, or you can use a dish towel.
• Get creative. These are deceptively delicious! Make a Nutella spread or replace other nuts, like walnuts or pecans, in your favorite recipes.

Recipes with Hazelnuts

Besides being a delicious snack, you can use hazelnuts in so many recipes.

Probably the most popular thing to do is make your own Homemade Nutella at home.

But you can also use them wherever you would other nuts, like in this Chopped Broccoli Salad, this Broccoli Bacon Salad, or this Roasted Beet Salad.

Or, chop some up and top this Dutch Baby Pancake for a real treat.