How to Toast Nuts (and Store Them for Maximum Freshness!)

Toasting nuts is one of the simplest ways to elevate your baking. A few minutes of heat transforms nuts to crunchy, roasted deliciousness.

Whether you’re making cookies, cakes, salads, or just snacking, here are the two easiest ways to toast nuts plus how to store them so they stay fresh.

Not sure whether toasting nuts is really necessary if you're baking with them? Here’s why it makes such a difference.

roasted pecans on parchment paper. — Freshly roasted pecans cooling on parchment paper.

2 Easy Ways to Toast Nuts

You're doing this to bring out the oils in nuts. The oils will be absorbed by whatever you're baking, increasing the deliciousness of your recipe.

1. Toasting Nuts Oven Method

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Spread nuts in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet
Bake for 5–10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Remove when they smell nutty and are slightly deeper in color.

⭐ Pro Tip: Different nuts toast at different speeds.

Pine nuts toast quickly--usually in five minutes, give or take.

Almonds, pecans and walnuts will take roughly ten minutes.

Note, toasting nuts in an oven is the preferred method. You can also toast nuts on your range, but the exterior of the nuts may toast before the inside of the nuts.*

2. How to Toast Nuts on Your Stove in a Skillet

pecans scattered in a skillet. — You can toast pecans in a skillet on the stove top or on a baking sheet in your oven.

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
Add nuts in a single layer.
Stir or shake the pan constantly for 3–5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
Immediately transfer to a plate to cool (otherwise, they’ll keep toasting in the hot pan).

⭐ Best for: Small batches, quick results.

You can also toast nuts in the microwave.

However, I haven't tried the microwave method so I can't offer any help.

How to Store Nuts

Cool completely before storing. Warm nuts will trap moisture and go soft.
Store nuts an airtight container to keep them from absorbing odors.
You can keep nuts in a cool, dark place like your pantry for up to a month.
But, I think it's best to freeze nuts if you're not going to use them all right away.
I like to store nuts in cup-size portions so they're easy to use.
Freeze nuts like you would cookies. Store in one-cup portions in a resealable container and then tuck those little bags of nuts in a larger, freezer safe bag.
Nuts can be frozen for up to six months.
If you toast them all before freezing them, you can add nuts right into your recipe without thawing.

Try these pecan recipes, including Graham Cracker Bark with Pecans, Pecan Pie, miniature pecan pies, and Pecan Pie with Espresso-Soaked Dates but also Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies.

These Blondies with Walnuts are also good and made on the stove top until you're ready to bake them.

There are some good pecan recipes at the American Pecan Council.

*Sources:

How Baking Works by Paula Figoni