This air fryer hazelnuts recipe is quick, mess-free, and gives you that perfect toasty crunch. All you need is a handful of raw hazelnuts and a little oil (if you want) for flavor and shine. It’s faster than the oven, keeps your kitchen cool, and gives you nuts that are great for snacking or adding to salads, baking, or a small food processor for homemade nut butter.
This is a go-to in my kitchen because it’s a simple way to add natural flavor and healthy fat to meals without turning on the oven. Hazelnuts are packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins. I love keeping a batch in an air-tight container in the pantry to sprinkle over yogurt or blend into new recipes.
Contents
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- Quick prep: Just coat, roast, and cool – no long steps or waiting around.
- Little cleanup: No baking sheet or skillet mess – just your air fryer basket and a mixing bowl.
- Nutritious snack: High in protein and healthy fats to keep you going.
- Custom flavor: Add a touch of rosemary, thyme, or brown sugar for your favorite twist.
- Crispy texture: Perfectly toasted with a little extra crunch.
- Versatile use: Great for salads, snacking, or blending into a creamy nut spread.
🗝️ Key ingredients & substitutions
- Raw hazelnuts: The star of the show! Keep them whole for even roasting.
- Oil or butter (optional): Adds flavor and helps seasonings stick. Olive oil gives a savory touch, while butter leans rich and toasty.
- Salt (optional): Brings out that natural hazelnut flavor. Sea salt or kosher both work great.
🥣 How to make air fryer hazelnuts
- Preheat the air fryer: Set it to 300°F (150°C) and give it a few minutes to warm up. This helps the hazelnuts roast evenly.
- Coat the nuts: Toss the raw hazelnuts in a mixing bowl with oil or butter if using. Add a pinch of salt for flavor if you like.
- Single layer in the basket: Spread the hazelnuts in one layer so the hot air can circulate. Avoid stacking – this helps every nut toast just right.
- Roast time: Air fry for 12 minutes total.
- Check halfway: At the 6-minute mark, stir the nuts to prevent burning and check how toasted they are. Adjust cook time if needed – smaller nuts may roast quicker.
How to peel the skin
- Cool down: Let them cool completely before handling. This helps the skins loosen and gives the nuts their final crunch.
- Remove skins: Rub cooled hazelnuts with your fingers or use a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Some skins may be stubborn – no big deal.
- Add a sprinkle: Once peeled, toss with a pinch of sea salt or seasoning if desired. Then snack away or store for later!
🪄 Recipe notes & tips
- Watch them: Hazelnuts toast fast – keep an eye on them, especially the last few minutes.
- No over-crowding: Don’t overcrowd the basket – air circulation is key for even roasting. One even layer is perfect, and it’s okay if they’re touching.
- Skin: If some hazelnuts are still wearing their skins after rubbing, that’s totally fine – they’re still tasty!
- Flavor Boost: Want a flavor boost? Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, pepper, or a drizzle of honey after roasting. See below for some flavor options.
🫙 Storage instructions
- Room temp: Let the nuts cool completely, and then store them in an air-tight container in your pantry for up to 2 weeks.
- Refrigerator: Store in the fridge if your kitchen runs warm – they’ll stay fresh longer.
- Freezer bag: Freeze in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months. Great for batch roasting!
- Keep them dry: Make sure the nuts are fully cooled before storing to avoid moisture and sogginess.
✨ Variations
- Sweet snack: Toss roasted hazelnuts with honey and a dash of cinnamon or brown sugar.
- Savory twist: Mix in dried rosemary, thyme, or a pinch of pepper before roasting.
- Mixed nuts: Add raw almonds, peanuts, or cashews – just keep size in mind and adjust cook time.
- Spicy kick: Try a sprinkle of chili powder or smoked paprika for some heat.
- Chopped for toppings: Pulse in a small food processor and use on oatmeal, yogurt, or roasted veggies.
🍽️ How to use roasted hazelnuts
- Breakfast: Sprinkle over yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothie bowls for added crunch and protein.
- Snacks: Mix with raw almonds, pistachios, or raw peanuts for a DIY trail mix.
- Desserts: Use in cookies, brownies, or chocolate bark for that nutty bite.
- Spreads: Turn them into hazelnut butter or healthy Nutella! It’s easier than you think and tastes much better than store-bought.
- Salads: Add to leafy greens with goat cheese, fruit, and vinaigrette for texture and flavor.
- Cheese boards: Serve alongside fruits, olives, and your favorite kind of nut for variety.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Can I roast hazelnuts in the oven instead of the air fryer?
Yes! Use a baking sheet at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Do I need to remove the skins?
Nope! It’s totally optional. The skins can be a bit bitter, but some people enjoy the extra texture.
Can I reuse the oil after roasting?
It’s best to start fresh each time for clean flavor, especially if seasoning was added.
What air fryers work best for this?
Any model works – I’ve tried it with a Cosori and a Ninja Foodi, both did great.
Why are some hazelnuts darker than others after roasting?
It’s normal! Different sizes or hot spots in the air fryer can cause a little variation.
Are roasted hazelnuts hard on teeth?
Once cooled, they’re crunchy but not rock hard – just don’t bite too fast if you’ve got sensitive teeth!
😋 More hazelnut snack recipes you will love
- How to Roast Hazelnuts (stove or oven)
- Hazelnut Butter
- Sugar-Free Nutella
- Keto Chocolate Covered Strawberries with Nutella
- Protein Chocolate Spread (Nutella)
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Roasted Hazelnuts
Roasting hazelnuts in the air fryer is quick, mess-free, and gives you that perfect toasty crunch. All you need is a handful of raw hazelnuts and a little oil (if you want) for flavor and shine. It's faster than the oven, keeps your kitchen cool, and gives you nuts that are great for snacking or adding to salads, baking, or a small food processor for homemade nut butter.
Ingredients
- 200 g raw hazelnuts 1.5 cups
- 1 tablespoon oil or butter optional
- pinch salt optional
Instructions
- If you’re using oil, butter or seasonings, begin by coating the hazelnuts with the oil or butter in a mixing bowl.1 tablespoon oil or butter
- Preheat your air fryer to 300°F/150°C
- When the air fryer is ready, add the hazelnuts in a single layer to the air fryer basket, and air fry for 12 minutes.200 g raw hazelnuts
- Halfway through the cooking time, stir the hazelnuts and check how toasted they are. Adjust the remaining time by reducing it if needed.
- Allow your roasted hazelnuts to cool before peeling them.
How to Remove Roasted Hazelnut Skins:
- Once the hazelnuts have cooled to touch, rub them between your fingers to remove the skins, or rub them with a paper towel.
- Some skins may be a bit stubborn to remove. If I’m struggling with one I just let it be and move on.
- You can also wrap them in a kitchen towel and let them sit for a minute or two before rubbing them in the towel. They seem to loosen easier with the steam created in the towel.
- Once the skins are removed, sprinkle with a pinch or two of sea salt if desired, and enjoy!pinch salt
Notes
- Watch them: Hazelnuts toast fast – keep an eye on them, especially the last few minutes.
- No over-crowding: Don’t overcrowd the basket – air circulation is key for even roasting. One even layer is perfect, and it’s okay if they’re touching.
- Skin: If some hazelnuts are still wearing their skins after rubbing, that’s totally fine – they’re still tasty!
- Flavor Boost: Want a flavor boost? Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, pepper, or a drizzle of honey after roasting. See below for some flavor options.
Storage instructions
- Room temp: Let the nuts cool completely, and then store them in an air-tight container in your pantry for up to 2 weeks.
- Refrigerator: Store in the fridge if your kitchen runs warm – they’ll stay fresh longer.
- Freezer bag: Freeze in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months. Great for batch roasting!
- Keep them dry: Make sure the nuts are fully cooled before storing to avoid moisture and sogginess.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 5gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gPotassium: 227mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 2mg
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