Taking the extra step to toast nuts on their own when they'll just be going back into the oven again as an ingredient in a baked dish can feel like just that - an extra step. As we toasted nuts for a batch of our Fruit and Nut Bars earlier this week, we started wondering if this step is truly necessary?
Kitchen Science: Why Toast Nuts Before Baking?
Once we delved a little further into the issue, we realized that, yes, toasting nuts before using them really is a key step. The reason is because the nuts in a baked dish are insulated by all the other ingredients, and they never really get hot enough to toast. The presence of so many other ingredients, including liquids, also means that the nuts can't get crispy as they would when toasted by themselves.
As annoying as it might feel to take the extra 15 minutes to toast nuts before using them, we're definitely convinced that it's worth doing!
What do you think?
Related: Top 5: Quick Uses for Pistachio Nuts
(Image: Flickr member FotoosVanRobin licensed under Creative Commons)
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Food Science, Baking Products, Ingredients - Pantry, baking, nuts, kitchen science, roasted nuts, toasted nutsRelated Links
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Just made a carrot cake and toasted the pecans for more flavor. But be careful because it is very easy to over brown or burn them. Watch and stir! Also like to plump raisins in some rum or juice before adding to mix. To speed the process, I heated them in a pot and decided to put on a lid to steam them. The rummy steam escaping caught fire and I lifted off the lid and the vaporous flame shot up. I hadn't planned to flambe but was luckily using a pot holder. Also believe in grating spices for best flavor. The cake was superb.
view Kate (NC)'s profile
You can do what Ina Garten does and toast them in a dry pan on the stove top. For me it is a lot easier and I have more control over the done-ness of the nuts.
view clintclint's profile
we use the "one toast" feature on our toaster oven. perfect every time.
view Rianne's profile
I do what my mom did-- pop them in the microwave!
view yespositively's profile
I always thought I disliked sunflower seeds (which are significantly cheaper in bulk than say, pecans or walnuts), until I started toasting them on the stove in a skillet. Now they're one of my fav salad toppings...
view lotusmoss's profile
I always toast before adding to a recipe. However, I've always wondered if I should allow them to cool before adding to the other ingredients. More times than not, I skip any cooling step and haven't noticed an adverse effect on the finished goods. But I was still curious....
view rosebud's profile
I made pear muffins a few weeks back and the toasted walnuts REALLY made the muffins special. Even after being frozen and thawed, the nuts were every bit as crunchy!
view juju73's profile
Rosebud-Allow them to cool if you can, but if not, I wouldn't worry about it...I've done it both ways and it doesn't seem to matter!:)
view juju73's profile