Steaming Nuts: Slow Cooker Method For Delicious Results

Slow cookers are a great way to make spiced nuts without the fear of burning them. The slow cooker is perfect for making large batches of spiced nuts. The gentle heat slowly draws out the nuts' natural oils, gently toasting them while perfuming the whole kitchen. The slow cooker warms the nuts gently, and the addition of paper towels ensures they crisp up nicely. This is a mostly hands-off method, only requiring a stir every 20 minutes. It is the perfect way to multitask during the holidays and get ahead on your giftables. Making spiced nuts in the slow cooker also means that your oven is free for other things, like baking cookies.

Use a slow cooker to make a large batch of spiced nuts

Making spiced nuts in a slow cooker is easy and makes your house smell great! Here's how to make a large batch of spiced nuts using a slow cooker.

First, you'll need to gather your ingredients. For the nuts, you can use any combination of raw, whole nuts such as pecans, almonds, walnuts, cashews, or Brazil nuts. Make sure the nuts are unsalted and unroasted, as you will be adding your own seasonings. You will need 6 cups of nuts in total. For the spices, you can use pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, or even cayenne pepper if you want a sweet and spicy flavor. You can also add vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for a vanilla-infused flavor. Other ingredients include egg whites, light brown sugar, butter, and salt.

Next, prepare your slow cooker by coating it with cooking spray. Then, whisk the egg whites until they are foamy and add them to the slow cooker. Add the brown sugar, butter, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon to the egg whites and stir until you have a thick syrup.

Now it's time to add the nuts! Stir the nuts into the syrup mixture until they are evenly coated. Place a double layer of paper towels over the top of the slow cooker to catch any condensation. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 3 hours or on high for 1 hour, stirring the nuts every 20 minutes to ensure even cooking.

Once the nuts are fragrant, lightly browned, and the coating appears dull, they are done! Spread the nuts onto parchment-lined baking sheets to cool completely. If any nuts have stuck together, simply break them apart before transferring them to a serving dish or storage container.

Your spiced nuts are now ready to enjoy! You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Prepare the nuts for steaming

Preparing the nuts for steaming is a simple process, but it's important to get it right to ensure the best results. Here are the steps you need to take:

Firstly, select your nuts. You can use a variety of raw nuts, including almonds, pecans, cashews, walnuts, and Brazil nuts. Ensure that the nuts are unsalted and unroasted, as you will be adding your own seasonings and flavours. You will need around 4-6 cups of nuts in total, depending on the recipe you are following and the number of servings you want to make.

Next, prepare your slow cooker. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or grease. This will help prevent the nuts from sticking to the surface. If you are making a large batch, it is recommended to use a large, oval slow cooker, as this provides more surface area for toasting the nuts.

Now, it's time to mix your ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine your selected nuts. Then, add your chosen seasonings and mix well. The specific seasonings you use will depend on your taste preferences and the recipe you are following. Some popular options include cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar, butter, salt, and pumpkin pie spice mix. You will also need to add egg whites to the mixture, which act as a binding agent. Whisk the egg whites until they become foamy, and then mix them into the nuts until they are evenly coated.

Once your nuts are thoroughly coated, it's time to transfer the mixture to the slow cooker. Spread the nut mixture in an even layer in the prepared slow cooker. At this point, you can also add a double layer of paper towels over the top of the slow cooker. This will help absorb moisture and catch condensation during the cooking process, ensuring that your nuts crisp up nicely.

Now your nuts are prepared and ready for steaming in the slow cooker!

Steam the nuts for 3 hours on low or 1 hour on high

Once you've whisked the egg whites, sugar, and seasonings together in the slow cooker, it's time to stir in the nuts. Add the nuts and stir with a spatula until they are evenly coated.

Now, cover the slow cooker with paper towels and its lid. This is an important step, as the paper towels will absorb moisture and catch condensation. This will ensure your nuts crisp up nicely when cooled instead of becoming soggy.

Cooking time will depend on your preference: cook the nuts for 3 hours on low heat or 1 hour on high heat. Be sure to give the nuts a quick stir every 20 minutes to ensure they cook evenly.

After cooking, spread the nuts onto parchment-lined baking sheets to cool completely. Once cool, break apart any nuts that have stuck together and transfer them to a serving dish, jar for gifting, or airtight container for storage.

Use paper towels to absorb moisture and catch condensation

Using paper towels to absorb moisture and catch condensation is an important step in the process of steaming nuts in a slow cooker. This technique ensures that the nuts become crisp and don't end up steaming.

To do this effectively, it is recommended to use a double layer of paper towels, spread over the top of the crock. This will absorb any moisture that evaporates from the nuts and catch any condensation that drips from the lid. It is important to note that the paper towels should be placed over the slow cooker before turning it on, as this will help to maintain an even temperature and prevent moisture buildup.

By using paper towels, you can avoid the nuts becoming soggy or steamed, which is crucial for achieving the desired crisp texture. This method also helps to contain the nutty, sweet fragrance within the slow cooker, filling your kitchen with a delightful aroma.

Additionally, the paper towels can be used to line the slow cooker for easier cleanup. This will save you time and effort in scrubbing and washing the cooker after preparing your delicious spiced nuts.

Cool the nuts and separate any clusters

Once the nuts are done cooking, it's time to cool them down. Spread the nuts out on a parchment-lined baking sheet (or two) to cool. If you have to step away and won't be back when the nuts are done cooking, make sure you set your slow cooker to automatically transfer to the warm setting, or turn the slow cooker back on (to low or warm) until the sugar is melted enough to separate the nuts.

It's important to note that you should not let the nuts cool in the bowl, as they will stick together in a giant mass. Instead, spread them into an even layer, separating the nuts as much as possible. If the nuts have cooled in a cluster, simply break them apart before storing.

Once the nuts are completely cool, you can transfer them to a serving dish, jar for gifting, or airtight container for storage. Store the nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to three months.

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