How To Roast Hazelnuts (Filberts)

Need to roast hazelnuts (filberts) and don't know how? Learn how to roast hazelnuts in the oven, toast them in a pan or over a wood fire, and the best way to peel them.

Hazelnuts are one of the most consumed nuts. They are also used for making many desserts and a variety of dishes - hazelnut praline paste, Paris-Brest, hazelnut mousseline cream, homemade chocolate spread, hazelnut butter, etc.

You can eat hazelnuts plain, candied, or caramelized as a tasty snack. In addition, roasted nuts can be found in many confections, from chocolate chip cookies all the way up to French toast.

Jump to:

• What is a hazelnut?
• Why should you roast them?
• Ingredients
• How to roast hazelnuts in the oven
• How to roast in a pan
• How to roast nuts over a wood fire
• How to peel hazelnuts
• Recipe variations
• Equipment
• Storage instructions
• Expert Tips
• What to do with hazelnuts?
• FAQ
• Recipe card
• Comments

Surprisingly, they make a great addition to winter soup or summer salads.

But if you want the best flavor possible from your nuts, consider roasting them before eating.

This article will explain different roasting techniques to enjoy roasted hazelnuts at home.

What is a hazelnut?

Hazelnut is a fruit of the hazel tree with many healthy properties, but it is important to note that they contain significant calories.

According to the Australian Dietary Guidelines, a small handful of hazelnuts (30 g or 20 individual nuts) is enough to take advantage of their benefits.

Hazelnuts are rich in vitamin E with antioxidant effects and fiber beneficial for constipation.  

Omega-9 in hazelnuts helps regulate cholesterol levels, magnesium reduces fatigue, and amino acids help improve cardiovascular health.

Hazelnuts also contain many trace mineral elements and vitamins such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.

Why should you roast them?

Roasting hazelnuts is a special technique when nuts are slightly heated for a short period. But why roast hazelnuts?

Roasting hazelnuts helps unlock their delicious aromas and give more pronounced flavors.

It is also very useful for removing skin from nuts quickly and effortlessly.

Finally, to make a homemade praline spread, you need to roast the hazelnuts first. The process releases all that fat, making it easy to process paste in a food processor without adding any oil.

Ingredients

For ingredients and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.

• Hazelnuts: choose raw-shelled whole hazelnuts (aka filberts nuts) or hazelnuts with shells if you don't mind removing them.

• Oil is a great way to add more flavor and aroma when roasting nuts, but it's unnecessary for dry roasting. Use it only if you plan to add salt, spices, or seasonings.

How to roast hazelnuts in the oven

Using the oven is the easiest and quickest roasting technique. The first thing you need to do is break hazelnuts to remove their hard shell.

You can use a nutcracker or a small hammer, but make sure to place the nuts on top of a cutting board and be careful not to harm yourself.

The hazelnuts will be covered with a thin skin that will be peeled off after roasting.

If you use store-bought raw hazelnuts, omit the step mentioned above.

Preheat the oven to 355°F or 180°C. Arrange hazelnuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet for the even roasting. 

Bring the nuts to the middle rack of the oven and roast for 12-13 minutes, stirring halfway through.

The nuts are ready when they are slightly golden brown, with the cracked skin releasing a nutty smell. 

Remove hazelnuts from the oven and place them on a clean dish towel to cool down for 1 minute.

How to roast in a pan

Interestingly roasting hazelnuts in a pan is more about toasting them. So, if you hear the question "How to toast hazelnuts?" it means roasting them without an oven.

This method is faster (less than 10 minutes) but requires constant monitoring of the pan. Place hazelnuts in a single layer in a non-stick frying pan and heat over medium heat. 

Use a wooden spatula to mix nuts regularly. It usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes to toast hazelnuts. Remove hazelnuts in a clean tea towel and let cool for a minute.

How to roast nuts over a wood fire

If you have a fireplace at home, save energy and make roasted hazelnuts over a wood fire. It will bring a smoky taste to your nuts perfect for an aperitif.

Arrange hazelnuts in a single layer on a fireproof plate, for example, a cast iron griddle. Then place it on the coals for a few minutes and stir regularly. 

Once the nuts are ready, remove them to the clean cloth and let them cool for 1 minute.

How to peel hazelnuts

Should you peel hazelnuts or keep the skin? It depends on your personal preference: your taste and the recipe you will make.

Let's say you decide to remove the hazelnut skins. Now there is another question: how to skin hazelnuts?

The easy way to peel hazelnuts is to close the towel over still warm hazelnuts. Rub them with your hands: the brown skins will come off.

Then gently transfer peeled nuts to a glass jar or airtight container.

If some nuts still have a small amount of skin, also called stubborn skins, it is OK; enjoy nuts on their own or use them to make recipes.

Recipe variations

You might be questioning which roasting method is the best. You should try them all and choose the most suitable for you.

The result is the same: you will get golden hazelnuts with an exquisite flavor and taste.

But you can roast hazelnuts dry (dry roasting) and with oil (oil roasting). Just add about one tablespoon of olive oil to the frying pan or baking sheet and follow the recipe.

Oil roasting is optional and works if you want to add salt, herbs, for example, rosemary, or seasonings.

Also, experiment with the oven temperature. For example, some chefs roast hazelnuts for 15 minutes at 300-325°F or 150-165°C.

Equipment

Roasting hazelnuts don't require lots of equipment. You only need a baking sheet, a skillet, or a cast iron griddle. So it depends on the roasting technique you choose.

Also, make sure to use oven mitts to handle hot equipment.

Storage instructions

To store roasted hazelnuts, place cooled nuts in a mason jar or glass jar and keep them at room temperature, better in a cool, dry place for 1-2 weeks; in the refrigerator - for 3-4 months.

Can you freeze roasted hazelnuts? Yes, place them in an airtight container and freeze them for up to a year.

Expert Tips

1. Double or triple the roasted hazelnuts recipe if desired.
2. Always place nuts in a single layer for even cooking. If you want to roast a large quantity of hazelnuts, do it in a few batches.
3. Roast a mixture of nuts (hazelnuts with almonds) if desired.
4. Use your oven wisely: roast your nuts after cooking or baking another dish.
5. Add ½ tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and some seasonings for the savory version, and follow the recipe.

What to do with hazelnuts?

Hazelnuts are versatile and delicious nuts that can be enjoyed in many ways. One way to enjoy it would be roasted, perfect as a great healthy snack.

Raw hazelnuts are an excellent addition to baked goods, adding an extra crunch and flavor.

Let's name a few hazelnut recipes on the blog.

• Discover the iconic Paris-Brest made with hazelnut mousseline cream, Hazelnut Flour Cake with its pronounced nutty taste, or gluten-free Praline Paste perfect as a breakfast spread.

• Or enjoy the nuts' crunchiness at its best, making Honey Hazelnut Pie or dressing up a French classic - Îles Flottante.

• Sprinkle some chopped candied hazelnuts over your favorite ice cream, or use caramelized ones to decorate the cake for an extra special finish.

• Finally, add salted hazelnuts to your salads, pizzas, meat, fish, and soups if you are a fan of savory dishes.

FAQ

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Recipe card

The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee.