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How to Toast Walnuts in the Air Fryer

Name: How to Toast Walnuts in the Air Fryer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: 2 cups walnuts (whole or half); 2 teaspoons olive oil (optional); 1 teaspoon salt (optional)

Author: Laurie Fleming
Published: February 12, 2020

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Learn How To Toast Walnuts In Air Fryer with our helpful guide! Roasting walnuts in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enhance their flavor and add a satisfying crunch to your dishes. Plus, all you need are 3 ingredients and under 10 minutes to make them!

overhead: a bowl of toasted walnuts from air fryer

How to Toast Walnuts in Air Fryer

Yes, you can toast walnuts in the air fryer! It’s such a quick and efficient method that enhances their flavor and crunch. And, instead of all of the hassle of waiting for your oven to preheat, all you need to do is turn on your air fryer and pop the nuts right inside. They’ll be perfectly toasted in just minutes.

Whether prepping for a baking project, a salad topping, or a tasty snack, walnuts come out perfectly toasted and roasted every time. Toasting highlights the natural flavors in the walnuts, making them taste much more deeply, well, nutty!

I add them to cookies, brownies, salads, and on top of my morning yogurt — and I also love grabbing a handful whenever the mood strikes. High in protein, nuts are such a great snack. They’re also incredibly simple to toast in the air fryer.

If you love roasting nuts, I hope you try all of my Air Fryer Nut Recipes! Try my AIR FRYER PECANS, AIR FRYER MACADAMIA NUTS, AIR FRYER SPICY PEANUTS, AIR FRYER PINE NUTS, and AIR FRYER MIXED ROASTED NUTS next.

overhead: air fryer walnuts in air fryer basket before roasting

Why You Should Air Fry Walnuts

Ready in minutes
Evenly roasted every time
Enhanced flavor
No excess oil
So convenient
Can be used in so many ways!

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Walnuts

As mentioned, you only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. I’m willing to bet that you have most of them on hand already!

overhead: ingredients needed to air fry walnuts

For complete ingredients and quantities, as well as the nutritional information, keep on scrolling until you get to the bottom with a printable recipe card.

Walnuts: The main ingredient in air fryer walnuts, of course! They boast a rich and nutty flavor and crunchy texture that becomes even better when roasted.
Olive Oil (optional): A small amount of olive oil helps to coat the walnuts evenly, promoting a golden, crispy finish.
Salt (optional): Enhances the natural flavors of the walnuts and adds a savory touch.
Other Seasonings (optional): You can add whatever additional flavors you want before you air fry the walnuts. Cinnamon, ginger, or even some pumpkin pie spice would be a tasty sweet option. Or, combine paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder for something more savory. Be sure to head to the variations section for some other yummy combinations.

How to Toast Walnuts in Air Fryer

Learning how to toast walnuts in air fryer couldn’t be easier. You’ll be able to enjoy the nutty, toasty goodness of homemade toasted walnuts in just a few steps!

overhead: nuts in a large bowl with a spatula before roasting walnuts in air fryer

Step 1: Recipe prep

Preheat your air fryer to 300 degrees F for about 3-5 minutes. Then, add the walnuts to a bowl and toss with olive oil and salt.

overhead: toasted walnuts in air fryer basket

Step 2: Air fry walnuts

Place the nuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket and roast for 5-8 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even roasting.

overhead: a baking sheet full of toasted walnuts in air fryer

Step 3: Check for doneness

Keep a close eye on your air fryer walnuts, especially towards the end of the cooking time. They are done when they turn golden brown and have a fragrant, nutty aroma. Be careful not to overcook as they can burn quickly. Enjoy!

Toast Walnuts in Air Fryer Variations

Spicy Chili: Toss with olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt.
Honey Glazed: Mix honey and olive oil, then toss with salt.
Herb and Garlic: Toss with olive oil, dried rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, and salt.
Maple Roasted: Mix maple syrup and olive oil, then toss with salt.
Soy Sauce and Sesame: Toss with soy sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.

side view closeup: air fryer walnuts in a bowl

Roasting Walnuts in Air Fryer Pro Tips

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating your for about 3-5 minutes before adding the nuts ensures even cooking and other best roasting conditions.
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. Make sure to cut it to fit the basket and leave space around the edges for air circulation.
Uniform Coating: Toss the walnuts with a small amount of oil and your chosen seasonings until they are well-coated. This helps them roast evenly and enhances the flavor.
That said, avoid excess oil. A little goes a long way. Use just enough to lightly coat the walnuts, as too much oil can make them greasy and affect the roasting process.
Spread the walnuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven roasting, so it’s best to do multiple batches if necessary.
Monitor Closely: Keep a close eye on the walnuts, especially toward the end of the cooking time. They can go from perfectly roasted to burnt quickly, so check frequently.
Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure all the walnuts roast evenly. This prevents some nuts from burning while others remain undercooked.
Cool Completely: Once roasted, remove the walnuts from the air fryer and let them cool completely on a baking sheet. Cooling allows the nuts to crisp up and enhances their flavor.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator or freezer to maintain freshness and keep them from going bad.

overhead closeup: 2 bowls of air fried walnuts with a baking sheet to the side with more

Air Fryer Walnuts FAQs

Can I roast walnuts in the air fryer without any oil?

Yes, you can roast walnuts in the air fryer without oil. However, a small amount of oil can help enhance the flavor and ensure even roasting.

What temperature to for toasting walnuts in air fryer?

Set your air fryer to 300 degrees F for the best results. This temperature allows the walnuts to roast evenly without burning.

How long does it take to roast walnuts in an air fryer?

Air fry walnuts for about 5-8 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even roasting and monitor closely to avoid burning.

How do I keep the nuts from burning?

A few things: remember to shake the basket halfway through cooking. And, keep a close eye on the walnuts, especially towards the end of the cooking time. Finally, roasting at a lower temperature of 300 degrees F also helps keep things from burning!

Can I use this method to roast other nuts in the air fryer?

Now that you know how to toast walnuts in the air fryer, you can use this method to roast other nuts like almonds, pecans, and cashews! You may have to adjust the cooking time based on the size and type of nuts.

What is the best way to toast nuts?

The best way to toast nuts is at a low temperature so they don’t burn. The air fryer is ideal for this — I find that 300 degrees F on the air fryer setting for about 10 minutes gets me perfect results every single time.

overhead: roasted air fryer walnuts on a baking sheet with parchment

More Easy Air Fryer Nut Recipes

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