How to: Toasting and Smoking Nuts

People have been toasting and smoking nuts for thousands of years, mainly as a way to preserve them before the invention of modern food storage. Toasting nuts not only creates their own unique flavor, but also allows you to add an unlimited variety of flavors and spices to the mix. In this guide, we're going to learn not only how to toast and smoke nuts but also go through some of our favorite recipes and flavor combinations. AND don't worry - it's not complicated!

Why you should toast or smoke nuts at home.

1. Doing it yourself saves money!
2. You're in control of the salt and sugar content. You can tailor these to fit your own unique dietary needs.
3. They make great gifts for any occasion! Fill up a mason jar and pop a bow on top. Your friends and family will be talking about them for years to come.
4. Tree nuts and peanuts (technically not a nut, but a legume) are very versatile in the food world. They are a fantastic snack by themselves, but can also be added to numerous different dishes and desserts. You can even throw them in a blender or food processor to make custom nut butters and spreads.

How to toast and smoke nuts.

We're going to focus on using the oven for this process. A well-monitored grill, pellet grill, or electric smoker will work great with this method. The key to this is an even constant temperature and the ability to cook the nuts in as even a layer as possible. Here's how to do it.

1. Start off Raw - blanched, or unsalted nuts. The less processed your starting product is, the better the end product will be. Use whatever nut you want! All varieties will work with this method. Peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts would all be fantastic roasted or smoked. You can even do this with pumpkin or sunflower seeds, just keep a closer eye on them as they will burn quicker than nuts.
2. You'll need a binder. There are many liquids that you can use to help your seasoning stick. Any neutral oil such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil will work great and allow your seasonings to stand out. You can use butter, duck fat spray, or liquids such as Worcestershire and soy sauce to bring some additional flavor to the party.
3. 'Tis the Season! Use your favorite Lane's rub or combination of rubs to create your perfect flavor. Season generously, and get creative. Each type of nut has a flavor profile that will naturally pair well with certain flavors, we'll talk more about that later.
4. Apply a low, even heat. Nuts and seeds are full of natural oils that can handle different levels of heat depending on which you use. Keeping the heat at or below 250 degrees Fahrenheit will keep you under the scorching point for most nuts. Tender/lighter nuts like peanuts, pecans, pistachios, cashews, and walnuts will take around 20-30 minutes to get fully toasted. It can take up to an hour to finish nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, and macadamias.

Additional Tips and Tricks.

• All my single layers. Use a baking sheet or an oven or heat-safe metal rack or screen. A single even layer will allow for even cooking and reduce the risk of burning. This will also make it easier to shake and stir them as they are cooking. You'll want to stir them around every 10-15 minutes to ensure they cook evenly and don't burn.
• Use your eyes and nose before using a timer. Once the oils in the nuts are released and begin to toast, the aromas will be enhanced and you'll be able to smell them very easily. In appearance, you're looking for light brown to golden brown toasting with no charring at all.
• If you've got 'em, smoke 'em. Although not required, adding smoke during the process is always a welcome addition. We would recommend using woods such as hickory, apple, cherry, peach, and pecan.

 

Recipes and serving options.

You can simply toss them in a bowl and enjoy them alongside your favorite ice-cold beverage, but there are several ways to use them after you've toasted them. Choose a sweeter rub to make them perfect for adding to desserts and baked goods. Savory flavors are great for adding crunch to all sorts of dishes. They are perfect for kicking up all kinds of chicken salads, pasta salads, and green salads. Toss them in a food processor or blender and break them down to make a crust for fish, pork, and poultry, or simply add some oil to grind them down into a nut butter that will put the jarred stuff in the grocery store to shame. Check out some of our favorite flavor combinations below and use this guide to create a custom mix with your favorite flavors. The only limitation is your imagination!

Sweet

• Nuts - Pecans, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Almonds, and Peanuts
• Lane's Rub Options - Apple Pie Rub, Honey Sriracha Rub, Spellbound Rub
• Binders - Honey, Butter, Neutral Oils, Maple Syrup

Savory

• Nuts - Almonds, Cashews, Macadamia, Peanuts, and Pistachios
• Rubs - Spellbound Hot Rub, SPG, Ancho Espresso Rub, Sweet Heat Rub, Signature Rub, Chili Lime Rub
• Binders - Butter, Neutral Oils, W Sauce, Duck Fat Spray, Soy Sauce