What are Pine Nuts?
Pine nuts are a nut common in Italian dishes. They can be eaten in their raw and buttery form or toasted to bring out and enhance their natural flavor. These small, softer nuts are most often found in basil pesto and can be added to salads and pastas for an extra crunch.
Pine nuts are definitely on the pricey side, with just a pound costing over $20. But luckily, you do not need a ton of them to add a lot of flavor. Just a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts will go a long way!
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How to Toast Pine Nuts
Toasting pine nuts in the oven or on the stovetop is relatively simple and easy to do.
You will get a more even toast when you use the oven method, but the skillet method is faster.
Typically pine nuts are already buttery enough on their own, but if you’d like to add a bit of oil or butter you can! Simply toss them in oil or butter before baking for an even richer flavor.
Roasting Pine Nuts in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Line a large, lightly colored, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the pine nuts in a single layer on the pan.
- Toast them in the oven for 7-8 minutes or until they are a golden color, stirring occasionally.
- For a toaster oven, simply decrease the temperature to 300°F and toast for the same amount of time.
Avoid higher temperatures or high power to preserve the nutty flavor and prevent burning.
Toasting Pine Nuts in a Pan
If you are toasting a small amount of pine nuts, cooking them in a skillet is the fastest and easiest way to do it.
- Heat a medium non-stick skillet over medium-low or medium heat. Add no more than 1 cup of pine nuts to the skillet in a single layer for best results.
- Toast pine nuts for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally with a spatula or wooden spoon.
FAQs
Yes, you can toast pine nuts for 5-7 minutes at 350°F, checking on them every few minutes. Be careful at this higher temperature because they can burn much faster!
Pine nuts make a great healthy addition to any salad or pasta recipes. A one-ounce serving of pine nuts contains 191 calories, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 4 grams of protein, and 19 grams of fat.
Pine nuts will begin to turn a light golden brown and progress to a darker brown as they roast. You’ll know the nuts are perfectly toasted when they turn a rich caramel color and begin to give off a nutty aroma.
Pine nuts do not need to be refrigerated if stored for less than a month. To extend the shelf life, you can store pine nuts in the refrigerator in a big plastic bag or airtight container for up to 2-3 months.
Yes, you can meal prep pine nuts a few weeks in advance because they last so well. Simply keep them in a cool, dry place at room temperature.
Yes, you can freeze pine nuts by tightly wrapping them and freezing for up to 6 months.
Recipes with Pine Nuts
These healthy recipes all taste incredible with some roasted pine nuts on top:
- Avocado Pesto Pasta
- Shrimp Pesto Pasta
- Pasta Primavera
- Roasted Cauliflower Kale Salad
- Homemade Hummus
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How to Toast Pine Nuts
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Ingredients
- 1-4 cups pine nuts
Instructions
Toasting Pine Nuts in the Oven
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Line a large, lightly colored baking sheet with parchment paper and place pine nuts in a single layer on the sheet.1-4 cups pine nuts
- Toast nuts in preheated oven for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. You'll know the nuts are perfectly toasted when they turn a rich caramel color and begin to give off a nutty aroma.
Toasting Pine Nuts in a Pan
- Heat a medium to large, non-stick dry skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add no more than 1 cup of pine nuts to the skillet in a single layer.1-4 cups pine nuts
- Toast pine nuts for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Notes
- You can also toast pine nuts at 350°F for 6-7 minutes, but be sure to keep a close eye on them since they can burn quickly at this higher heat!
- No refrigeration needed. These nuts can stay at room temperature for up to a month after toasting.
- Spread them out. Be sure to use a large enough cookie sheet so you can toast your own pine nuts in a single layer.
- Low and slow. Don’t be tempted to increase the heat, otherwise they might cook too quickly and lose their buttery flavor.
- Just a little. The stovetop method is perfect for small amounts of pine nuts.
- Top it off. Throw some toasted pine nuts on top of hummus or in your favorite salad. Their unique flavor and buttery taste goes well with so many things.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
