Here’s the scoop on toasting nuts

Did you know that unsalted nuts are considered a protein food? Half an ounce of nuts actually counts as a one-ounce serving of protein. And a handful of nuts weighs in at about 1 ounce.

There are lots of nuts to choose from: almonds, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, chestnuts. Nuts are great for snacking, topping desserts or adding the finishing touches to salads and many other foods.

Toasting nuts at home is easy, according to Alice Henneman of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Lancaster County. You can toast them in the microwave, oven or on the stove.

Here’s the scoop on toasting nuts in the microwave

1. Spread up to ½ cup of nuts evenly in a single layer on a flat, microwave-safe dish.
2. For ½ a cup of nuts, add about a teaspoon of softened butter, margarine or oil to the nuts. If you have a smaller amount of nuts, use a smaller amount of butter, margarine or oil.
3. Coat nuts by stirring.
4. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
5. Stir. Microwave for an additional minute.
6. Continue to stir and microwave for an additional minute until nuts are toasted. Be careful not to burn nuts.

Here’s the scoop on toasting nuts in the oven

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Place a single layer of nuts (not chopped) on a rimmed, ungreased shallow pan, cookie sheet or similar pan.
3. Bake until golden brown, about 5 to 10 minutes. After they’ve been removed from the oven, they will continue to brown a little.
4. Take nuts off of pan to cool.

Here’s the scoop on toasting nuts on the stove

1. Heat nuts (not chopped) over medium heat in a dry, heavy skillet, stirring or tossing constantly so they toast consistently.
2. Heat nuts until they’re golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. It’s easy to burn nuts when toasting them on the stove, so keep a close eye on them.
3. Take nuts off of pan to cool.

Toasted nuts can be stored for 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight, sealed container, or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Choose My Plate

What are your favorite nuts to toast? Let us know in the comments.