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You can make roasted salted walnuts at home with just three ingredients and about twenty minutes of your time.
Honestly, once you learn how to make roasted salted walnuts, you’ll never go back to buying those pricey little bags at the store again.
The process of making roasted salted walnuts is incredibly simple, and the result is a warm, crunchy, savory snack that beats anything pre-packaged.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make roasted salted walnuts, plus a few tips to get them perfectly crisp every single time.
So if you’ve ever wondered how do you make roasted salted walnuts, you’re in the right place.
How Do You Make Roasted Salted Walnuts?
You make roasted salted walnuts by tossing raw walnut halves in a little oil and salt, then roasting them at a moderate temperature until they’re golden and fragrant.
That’s really the whole secret behind how to make roasted salted walnuts that taste amazing.
1. Start With Raw Walnut Halves
The best roasted salted walnuts begin with raw, unsalted walnut halves rather than pieces.
Halves roast more evenly, and they look beautiful when you serve them.
If you only have pieces on hand, you can still make roasted salted walnuts with them, just keep a closer eye on the oven since smaller bits burn faster.
2. Give Them a Quick Soak (Optional but Worth It)
Some folks soak their walnuts in water for a few hours before making roasted salted walnuts.
This step removes some of the bitterness from the skins and helps the nuts roast up lighter and crisper.
If you’re short on time, you can skip it, but if you want the absolute best roasted salted walnuts, a two to four hour soak is a nice touch.
Just drain them well and pat them completely dry before moving on.
3. Toss With Oil and Salt
For a batch of roasted salted walnuts, drizzle about a tablespoon of oil over two cups of walnut halves.
Use a neutral oil like avocado or grapeseed, or go with melted coconut oil or even butter for extra flavor.
Then sprinkle on your salt.
Sea salt or kosher salt works great for roasted salted walnuts because the flakes cling nicely to the surface.
Toss everything together until every walnut is evenly coated.
Roasting Your Salted Walnuts to Perfection
Getting roasted salted walnuts just right comes down to temperature and timing.
1. Preheat to 350°F
A 350°F oven is the sweet spot for making roasted salted walnuts.
Too hot and the outsides burn before the insides get crunchy.
Too cool and you end up with roasted salted walnuts that taste flat and chewy instead of crisp.
2. Spread Them in a Single Layer
Arrange your walnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Keep them in a single layer so the heat circulates around each nut.
Crowded walnuts steam instead of roast, and nobody wants soggy roasted salted walnuts.
3. Roast for 12 to 15 Minutes
Roast your walnuts for about 12 to 15 minutes, stirring them once halfway through.
You’ll know your roasted salted walnuts are ready when they smell nutty and toasty and have turned a shade darker.
Remember, they’ll keep crisping up as they cool, so pull them out when they’re just slightly under what you want.
Tips for the Best Roasted Salted Walnuts
A few small tweaks can take your roasted salted walnuts from good to unforgettable.
1. Salt After Roasting Too
Sprinkle a little extra salt on your walnuts right when they come out of the oven.
The residual heat helps the salt stick, giving you roasted salted walnuts with the perfect savory finish.
2. Add a Pinch of Sugar or Spice
If you like a little sweet with your salty, toss a teaspoon of sugar into the mix before roasting.
A dash of cinnamon, smoked paprika, or cayenne also makes incredible roasted salted walnuts with a kick.
3. Cool Completely Before Storing
Let your roasted salted walnuts cool fully on the baking sheet.
If you seal them while they’re warm, the trapped steam will make them soft.
Once cooled, store roasted salted walnuts in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to two weeks.
4. Watch Them Closely
Walnuts can go from perfectly roasted to burned in under a minute.
Stay near the oven, especially the first time you make roasted salted walnuts.
So, How Do You Make Roasted Salted Walnuts?
You make roasted salted walnuts by coating raw walnut halves in oil and salt and roasting them at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes.
It’s one of the easiest snacks you can make at home, and the flavor of fresh roasted salted walnuts blows store-bought versions out of the water.
So grab a bag of raw walnuts and give this method a try.
Once you’ve made roasted salted walnuts yourself, you’ll wonder why you ever waited so long.