Toasting Walnuts In An Air Fryer: A Quick, Easy Treat

Toasting walnuts is a great way to enhance their flavour and texture, and it can be done in several ways, including using an air fryer. While some people advise against using an air fryer to toast walnuts, as the nuts may fly around due to the strong airflow, others recommend the method for its convenience and speed.

How to toast walnuts in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Walnuts
• Olive oil (or coconut, avocado, or butter oil)
• Salt (optional)
• Other seasonings of your choice (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 300°F for about 3-5 minutes.
• Add the walnuts to a bowl and toss with olive oil and salt (if using). You can also add other seasonings, like cinnamon, ginger, or smoked paprika.
• Place the walnuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even roasting.
• Air fry for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• Keep a close eye on the walnuts, especially towards the end of the cooking time. They are done when they turn golden brown and have a fragrant, nutty aroma. Be careful not to overcook, as they can burn quickly.
• Remove the walnuts from the air fryer and let them cool completely on a baking sheet.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the refrigerator or freezer for longer-term storage.

The benefits of toasting walnuts

Toasting walnuts can bring about a range of benefits, from enhancing their flavour to making them easier to use in recipes. Here are some advantages of toasting walnuts:

Enhanced Flavour and Aroma

Toasting walnuts can bring out their natural sweetness and earthiness while minimising any bitterness associated with raw nuts. The toasting process intensifies the nutty flavour and aroma, adding a whole new dimension of taste and fragrance to your dishes.

Improved Texture and Crunch

Toasted walnuts offer a satisfying crunch that can elevate the texture of your meals. Whether sprinkled on salads, mixed into morning oatmeal, or added to baked goods, toasted walnuts provide a delightful contrast in texture that makes your food more exciting and palatable.

Versatility in Recipes

Toasted walnuts are incredibly versatile and can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. They can be sprinkled on ice cream or stirred into cereal, granola, or trail mix for a sweet treat. For savoury options, they can be added to roasted vegetables, stirred into soups, or used as a protein boost in stir-fries.

Health Benefits

Walnuts are known for their high nutritional value, being a good source of healthy fats, protein, fibre, and antioxidants. Toasted walnuts retain these health benefits while also enhancing the flavour, making them a tasty and nutritious addition to your diet.

Convenience and Ease of Preparation

Toasting walnuts is a simple process that can be done in an oven, on a stovetop, or even in an air fryer. It only takes a few minutes to enhance the flavour and texture of your walnuts, making them a convenient and quick ingredient to elevate your culinary creations.

How to make candied walnuts in an air fryer

Yes, you can toast walnuts in an air fryer. Here is a recipe for making candied walnuts in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 100g of walnuts (or 3 cups of walnut halves)
• 1-2 tablespoons of butter
• 1 tablespoon of maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
• Parchment paper

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 180°C / 350°F.
• In a medium-sized bowl, mix the maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt together.
• Add the walnuts to the bowl and toss them in the mixture so that each walnut is fully coated.
• Line a small baking tin or oven-safe dish that fits inside your air fryer with parchment paper. Alternatively, you can line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
• Spread the walnuts in a single layer on the baking tin/dish or in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for 8 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking time to coat the walnuts in the syrup mixture.
• Once they are done, stir the walnuts again to ensure they are well coated, then immediately scrape them out onto a plate lined with parchment paper. Try to spread them out into a single layer and leave them to cool completely.
• Once cooled, store the candied walnuts in an airtight container.

Tips:

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Ensure the walnuts are laid in a single layer; otherwise, they will steam instead of roasting.
• Allow the candied walnuts to cool completely before storing. Otherwise, the residual heat will create steam in the airtight container, and the walnuts will go soft.
• If your candied walnuts have gone soft, you can reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to make them crispy again.
• Wash any dishes or bowls used immediately after emptying the walnuts onto the lined plate, so that the syrup doesn't harden and can be easily washed off in hot, soapy water.

The health benefits of walnuts

Yes, you can toast walnuts in an air fryer. To do so, preheat your air fryer to 200°C/390°F. Spray olive oil into the basket, add the raw walnuts in a single layer, and then spray a little more oil over them. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring or shaking the basket halfway through. Once done, remove the toasted walnuts from the air fryer, spread them out on a baking sheet, and let them cool for 5-10 minutes before eating.

Now, let's discuss the health benefits of walnuts:

Walnuts are a nutritious food with numerous health benefits. Firstly, they are rich in healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which promote good heart health and may help lower cholesterol levels. A study in the British Journal of Nutrition found that regular nut consumers had a 37% lower risk of heart disease.

Secondly, walnuts contain vitamins and minerals like copper, manganese, and magnesium, which are essential for maintaining bone density and preventing osteoporosis. Magnesium also aids in calcium absorption, so try adding some walnuts to your morning yogurt or salad.

Thirdly, walnuts are a good source of antioxidants and polyphenols, particularly ellagic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties. This combination of nutrients may help lower inflammation and reduce the risk of cancer, type II diabetes, and heart disease.

Fourthly, walnuts are beneficial for brain health and function. The omega-3 fatty acids help reduce oxidative stress in the brain and improve brain signalling and neurogenesis, the process of forming new neurons. Additionally, walnuts may have mood-boosting properties, potentially improving your mood and focus.

Lastly, walnuts may support a healthy digestive system. Consuming walnuts can enrich your gut microbiota by increasing beneficial strains of bacteria, which may contribute to overall health and a stronger immune system.

Incorporating walnuts into your diet is easy and can be done by adding them to yogurt, salads, stir-fries, or even baking. However, remember to practice portion control, as walnuts are calorie-dense, and store them in an airtight container or the freezer to maintain freshness.

How to store toasted walnuts

Toasted walnuts can be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer.

If you're storing your toasted walnuts at room temperature, make sure to use them within a couple of weeks. Place them in an airtight container like a mason jar, and store them in a cool, dark place.

For longer-term storage, you can refrigerate your toasted walnuts for up to a month. To prevent condensation, ensure the walnuts are completely cool before placing them in an airtight container.

To store your toasted walnuts for the longest time, you can freeze them for up to 6 months. Again, ensure they are fully cooled before placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Regardless of the storage method, always check your walnuts for freshness by smell and taste before consuming them.

Frequently asked questions