Why This Toasted Nuts Recipe Works

• When the nuts are coated with a neutral cooking oil, you are still able to achieve that same over and pan roasting flavor. 
• Toasting nuts in the microwave is quicker! No waiting for the oven to heat up or getting a sheet pan dirty. All it takes is a microwave safe plate and you are good to go! 
• Our recipe testers say,
  • “Found this recipe online when I was scrambling to get some snacks together for a get together and it was perfect!”
  • “The sweet and herby versions were my absolute favorite! I make a big batch and keep them on the counter to snack on throughout the week.” 

Ingredients for Microwave Toasted Nuts  

• Nuts of choice (walnuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, pine nuts, peanuts)
• Neutral flavor oil  
• Optional seasonings (see below for more ideas)

What Kind of Nuts Should You Use? 

• Almonds – Accessible to everyone and you can find them anywhere, plus a really fun crunch! 
• Cashews – My favorite because the texture of cashews is soft and buttery. 
• Pumpkin Seeds – Since these are thinner, they may take a little less time, so keep your eye on them! 
• Peanuts – Which is actually a legume, just like beans – so wild! 
• Walnuts – We love using walnuts because of the size and the textures! 
• Pine Nuts – Toast these up for an incredible homemade pesto recipe! 

How to Toast Nuts in The Microwave 

1. Pick out your nuts, seeds, or legumes of choice or do a fun mixture or your favorites. 
2. Toss nuts with a dash of oil and any optional seasonings to coat. Check out some of our awesome flavor variations below too for some fun nut inspo! 
3. Spread nuts evenly over a microwave safe late and be sure to avoid overcrowding. 
4. Cook in 1 minute intervals, tossing the nuts as needed until they are golden brown and fragrant, about 2 to 5 minutes total. 
5. Let cool to room temperature before storing them in an air tight container. 

Tools Used in This Recipe

• Silicon Tongs to easily toss together the nuts without burning your fingers. 
• My favorite microwave safe plates, that also happen to be super cute too! 

Microwave Toasted Nuts Flavor Combinations

Spiked spiced nuts: Add 1/2 teaspoon of bourbon and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla in addition to the oil for a fun spiked party nut version! 

Spicy nuts: In addition to the oil, add a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Add as little or as much and adjust as needed. A sprinkle of brown sugar would be a fabulous addition with the cayenne.

Sweeter party nuts: Add 1/2-1 tablespoon of brown sugar along with a pinch of salt for sweeter caramelized nuts. 

Herby spiced nuts: Stir in 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs, like thyme and rosemary, once you remove the nuts from the microwave. You can also toss with a small pat of butter too! 

Faqs

How long do toasted nuts last? 

Microwave toasted nuts can be stored in an airtight container left at room temperature on the counter for up to 1 week or in the freezer for several months. 

Why are they taking longer than 5 minutes to toast?

All microwaves operate a bit differently. There are both low and high voltage microwaves, so the timing of your nuts will likely depend on your specific microwave. A lower voltage microwave sits around 700 while a higher voltage microwave sits around 1,000+. 

Can I use any oil? 

You can use any oil you wish. We suggest a neutral tasting oil so you have endless options when spicing your toasted nuts up. However, if you are going for a very savory nut, olive oil would be a delicious option!