How to Dry Out Walnuts

Dry out walnuts before storing them in your pantry, refrigerator or freezer.

If walnuts grow in your yard, you can use these nuts in a variety of entrees, side dishes and desserts, during the holidays and at other times during the year. Roasting walnuts in your oven for 10 to 15 minutes helps bring out their natural, rich flavor. But before roasting, you must completely dry out walnuts to prevent mold from growing inside the walnut shell. Store walnuts for special occasions or for everyday use after drying.

Things You'll Need

• Walnuts
• Small hammer
• Safety gloves
• Safety glasses
• Gravel
• Storage containers
• Tray or tarp
• Nut cracker
• Cloth bag or wire basket

Instructions

1. Remove the walnut husk using a small hammer. The husk is the outer covering of the walnut and may be tough to crack open. Soak walnuts in a mixture of water and gravel to loosen the husk. Add one part water and one part gravel to every three parts walnuts to a container. Seal and shake until the husks fall off or become soft enough to pry open.

2. Rinse walnuts completely after removing the husks. Place walnuts in a container of water to determine which walnuts have insect damage. Walnuts with insect damage will float to the top. Discard all floating walnuts, as insects may still be present.

3. Spread walnuts out on a tray or tarp for drying. Keep walnuts out of the sunlight in a cool, dry place for at least two weeks. Test for dryness by breaking a walnut in half. Dry walnuts snap easily. If the walnut does not snap easily, continue to store and check for dryness every few days.

4. Store dried walnuts in a cloth bag or a wire basket to prevent mold from forming. Maintain an average temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit with 70 percent humidity until you are ready to crack the shells.

5. Place walnuts in a container of hot tap water for at least 24 hours. Crack the shells using a nut cracker. Store walnuts at room temperature in a container if you are planning to use the walnuts within a few weeks. You can also refrigerate or freeze walnuts for up to nine months.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear gloves when removing walnut husks, as the liquid from the walnuts can stain easily. Wear safety glasses if using a hammer to remove husks, as small pieces can cause injury to eyes.

• If you do not completely dry out walnuts before storing them, mold may continue to grow inside the shells.

References

• University of Minnesota Horticulture: Harvesting Black Walnuts
• UC Davis: Harvesting and Storing Your Home Orchard's Nut Crop

Resources

• Utah State University Extension: Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut - Walnuts; Dennis Hinkamp