How to Dry Hazel Nuts

Hazelnuts are often used in baked goods, particularly ice creams, chocolates and spreads like Nutella.

Drying nuts at home without the use of heat can be a difficult task. Commercial hazelnuts are dried using warm air in an extremely low humidity, controlled environment for two to three weeks. After air drying, the nuts are machine-dried for two or three days. This process is difficult to replicate at home, and the most common form of drying hazelnuts is by roasting them either in the oven, a frying pan or in the sun. Oven and sun roasting methods work best for large quantities of nuts, while stovetop pan roasting dries only small quantities at a time.

Things You'll Need

• Baking sheet
• Frying pan

Instructions

Oven Drying (Roasting)

1. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Spread the hazelnuts in a single layer on a dry baking sheet free of any oils, sprays or lining. Bake for five minutes, then remove the sheet from the oven and stir the nuts thoroughly. Return the sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, checking the nuts frequently to make sure they do not burn. When the nuts are slightly golden brown, they are done. Let the hazelnuts cool completely before storing.

3. Store the dry roasted nuts in an airtight container for up to two weeks. For longer storage, store in an airtight zipping plastic freezer bag.

Pan Drying (Roasting)

1. Set a clean, dry, non-stick frying pan oven medium heat on your stovetop burner. Once it is heated, add about 1 cup of hazelnuts in a single layer. Do not pile the nuts on top of each other.

2. Stir the nuts occasionally for 10 to 15 minutes until they appear golden and toasty. Taste a nut for doneness; if it is moist on the inside, return it to the pan.

3. Let the hazelnuts cool completely before storing. Store the dry roasted nuts in an airtight container for up to two weeks. For longer storage, store in an airtight zipping plastic freezer bag.

Sun Drying

1. Place large baking trays out in the sunniest spot of your yard or on a balcony, walkway, car hood or patio.

2. Pour the hazelnuts onto the tray and spread them out in one single layer. Let the nuts sit undisturbed for several hours before stirring.

3. Bring the trays indoors when the sun goes down and cover them with a clean towel. Return the trays to the sun the next day and repeat the process. Depending on the humidity and strength of the sun, drying the hazelnuts may take between two to four days.

Tips & Warnings

• According to the Hazelnut Council, the higher temperature hazelnuts roast at, the shorter their shelf life. Slow roasting at a low temperature will extend the shelf life of the nuts more than quick, high-temperature roasting.

• Sun-drying hazelnuts only works well in hot, dry climates. If you live in a humid environment with occasional sun, roast your hazelnuts in the oven or a frying pan.

References

• Hazelnut Council: Hazelnut Processing

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish