From healthy snack to baking recipes, almond are normally toasted to bring out their flavor. If you want to toast almonds quickly, then you can use your microwave for this purpose.
Other than oven or pan roasting methods, toasting nuts in a microwave is quick and easy. Not only does it save time, but reduces the hassle to one easy step.
How do you toast almonds in the microwave? Place the almonds in an even layer on a microwave-safe plate and nuke for 1 minute. Stir in between until the nuts are golden brown and smell toasted.
The timing to toast almond will depend on the microwave wattage and amount to nuts being roasted.
Whether you are toasting slivered or sliced almond, check the microwave wattage and timing to get the desired results. No matter if you intend to eat them as a snack or prepare for baked goods, toasted almonds require attention to achieve perfect doneness and prevent burning.
The information provided in this write-up will help you toast almonds in the microwave.
Is it OK to microwave almonds?
Yes, it is OK to microwave almonds to bring out their natural flavor and make a nutritious snack. Toasting almonds compared to raw nuts reduces harmful bacteria like Salmonella and enhance healthy fat while toasted.
Additionally, you do no need to add oil to get golden and crunchy texture. Use a microwave to toast almonds quickly with or without using any additional fat, therefore they remain natural and wholesome.
Almonds toasted in a microwave can be eaten by adding to any main dish, salads, or simply snack after an intense workout. Not only does microwaving expedite the toasting process, but also require less effort and time compared to traditional ways of browning.
Why do you toast almonds?
Almonds are toasted for two main reasons, to enhance their flavor and make them crunchy. Taking the extra time to toast almonds makes a huge impact on the flavor.
It is worthy to spend some time on toasting almonds as they can be used to garnish many dishes including roasted veggies, soups, and salads as well as a crunchy topping for desserts and oatmeal porridge.
A lot of healthy fats and wholesome nutrition are found in nuts, including almonds. Almonds are good for your health due to the fiber, protein, magnesium, and Vitamin E found in them.
To preserve the goodness of their nutritional values, toast them at a low temperature to maximize the nutrient benefits.
Evenly toast almonds by using a microwave as it heats nuts from all sides, even without flipping or tossing them. The benefit of toasted almonds include lower blood sugar levels, reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels.
Additionally, almonds are great for weight loss by reducing hunger cravings.
Should almonds be toasted before baking?
Yes, almonds should be toasted before baking to bring the natural oils to the surface which improves the flavor and texture of the nut.
The main reason for toasting nuts before baking is to make them crunchier, enhance the natural oils, give them a deeper color, and increase the richness of nutty flavors. So before adding almonds to a recipe, improve the texture and flavor of the dish by quickly toasting almonds in a microwave.
Furthermore, toasted nuts stay crisp whether it is buried in baked goods or placed on top of a muffin. If you are using raw almonds in baking, the nuts in a baked dish are insulated by all other ingredients, and generally never get hot enough to become toasty.
Tips to toast almonds in the microwave
From nutritious to flavor aspect, using toasted almonds benefits every side. In order to toast almonds in a microwave you will have to follow the microwave tips discussed here under.
- Spread almonds evenly on a microwave-safe plate. Leave some breathing space between each nut instead of overcrowding them.
- Set microwave on medium power for 1 minute.
- Toast a bit more almonds than required for your dish if you are toasting them for a recipe. The excess number of almonds can be used either for checking their doneness or as a snack later on.
- Adjust the time of toasting almonds in a microwave depending on the number and size of the almonds. It may take a bit longer time to toast almonds in their natural size, but to shorten the toasting time you will have to chop your almonds. So, focus on timing to toast your almonds exactly.
- Check the almonds if they have been toasted perfectly or not. To ensure toasting is done properly it is best to taste a few of them. Look for the color inside the almonds while taking a bite. When they are nicely brown in color and give a toasty taste and aroma then your almonds are toasted to perfection.
- If they are not perfectly toasted, then continue the process for short 15 second intervals until they reach the desired doneness.
Using the microwave method, there is no need to add additional oil to get a crunchy texture. The result is far better flavor compared to skillet or oven roasting almonds.
Furthermore, you do not need to worry about burning them when using a microwave. Keep the timing to short intervals so that you can check on the almonds and stir them after each duration to promote even doneness.
Best way to toast almonds in microwave
It’s quite easy and straightforward to toast almonds in microwave. In case you encounter difficulty, adjust the temperature and reduce the timing to short intervals to improve success.
Here is the best way of toasting almonds in the microwave:
- To toast almonds in a microwave, take a plate that can be used safely in a microwave and spread an even layer of almonds on top without piling or over crowding the dish.
- Set the microwave at full or medium power to toast almonds for one minutes.
- Stop the process after a minute to check the doneness from all sides.
- Before restarting the process, shake the dish and mix them around.
- Continue nuking for 15 to 30 second intervals until the almonds are completely toasted.
- If they are not toasted perfectly, then repeat the process with short intervals to prevent overcooking. Thus toast your almonds perfectly in a microwave even without adding any fat to them.
Microwave Toasting Almonds: Conclusion
Toasted almonds are great asset when it comes to snack, baking, or any healthy recipes. To get the golden and crunchy pieces of almonds, all you need is to nuke them in the microwave.
Using a microwave reduces the cooking time by 80% compared to pan or oven toasting methods. Depending on the microwave wattage, total amount and type of almonds you are toasting will affect how long you need to toast them.
Simply place almonds in an even layer on a microwave-safe plate. Set the microwave to full power for 1 minute. Carefully remove the plate and toss the nuts every 15 seconds to promote even doneness.
Repeat the process until the nuts are sizzling, golden, and crunchy.
Toasted almonds are full of healthy fat and plant based protein that you can add to a salad, muffin or bread so that the natural oil blend well with the dish to create nutty and rich flavor. Always toast almonds before using in a recipe to enhance the nutrients and taste of your favorite dish.