How To Toast Nuts, Seeds, Coconut, or Oatmeal in a Microwave
Sneak Preview: Learn how to toast nuts, seeds, and coconut in the microwave along with other nuts, seeds (like sunflower and pumpkin seeds), raw old-fashioned oatmeal, and coconut. You’ll be amazed at how fast and easy it is.
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When your favorite recipes call for toasted pecans, almonds, or walnuts, are you ever tempted to skip the toasting step and dump them straight into your cake or cookie dough?
I confess that I used to ignore the toasting step when in a hurry (always?).
Why toast pecans or other nuts, seeds, or coconut?
- Improved taste in baked goods
- Enhanced nutty flavor
- Color is more appetizing, especially almonds and coconut
- No butter or soaking required
Because of these benefits, the only time I don’t toast is when they are part of a topping that will eventually be baked (like a coffee cake or pecan pie).
I’m a microwave girl from way back. Microwave cooking schools were my extra money when my kids were small. So I’ve been using the microwave to toast nuts, seeds, coconut, and anything else I can think of for a long time.
A microwave always works best for small batches. However, I would consider the stovetop or oven if you have more than a cup or two to toast.
Note: My microwave is 1100 watts. If yours is higher, reduce the cooking time between stirring. If lower, you may have to repeat the heat-and-stir routine several times. More on this in a minute.
What can I toast in a microwave?
- pecans (chopped or pecan halves)
- sliced almonds
- walnuts
- cashews (chopped will brown more evenly)
- sunflower seeds
- pumpkin seeds
- coconut
- oatmeal
How to toast pecans, walnuts, or cashews in the microwave:
- Place ½ cup of chopped raw pecans, raw walnuts, or raw chopped cashews onto a microwave-safe dinner plate or pie plate, or use a paper plate. Sprinkling with sea salt, table salt, or Kosher salt is optional.
- Cook on HIGH for 1 minute. If toasting a smaller amount than ½ cup, stir at smaller intervals.
- Cook on HIGH for an additional minute and stir.
- If you are toasting more than 1 cup or your oven is small or slow, repeat this process cooking for 30 seconds instead of a minute until your nuts are toasted to your satisfaction.
- Toasted pecans give off a wonderful toasted aroma you will learn to recognize when they are done.
How to toast sliced almonds:
- Place 1/2 cup of almonds onto a microwave-safe plate, a glass pie plate, or a paper plate.
- Cook on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir.
- Cook on HIGH for an additional minute and stir.
- If not brown enough, cook for 30 seconds and stir again. Repeat until they are perfectly toasted.
- If you are toasting more than 1 cup or your oven is small or slow, repeat this process until your nuts are toasted to your satisfaction.
How to toast coconut in the microwave:
- Place ½ cup of flaked coconut onto a microwave-safe plate or a paper plate.
- Cook on HIGH for 30-45 seconds. Stir.
- Cook on HIGH for an additional 30-45 seconds and stir.
- If you are toasting more than 1 cup or your oven is small or slow, repeat step 3 until your nuts or coconut are toasted to your satisfaction.
CONSUMER TIP: If you want to test how evenly your microwave oven cooks, sprinkle untoasted flaked coconut evenly on the glass plate inside your microwave. Use a sizeable microwave-safe dinner plate if you don’t have a rotating plate inside your microwave.
Turn the oven on HIGH and watch how evenly the coconut browns. This will quickly reveal the hot spots.
How to toast oatmeal:
- Place 1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats onto a microwave-safe plate or a paper plate.
- Cook on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir.
- Cook on HIGH for an additional minute and stir.
- If you are toasting more than 1 cup or your oven is small or slow, repeat this process until your oatmeal is toasted to your satisfaction.
Toasting imparts a delicious flavor to raw oatmeal.
How to toast raw seeds like sunflower and pumpkin seeds:
- Place 1/2 cup of raw seeds onto a microwave-safe plate or a paper plate.
- Cook on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir.
- Cook on HIGH for an additional minute and stir.
- If you are toasting more than 1 cup or your microwave is small or slow, repeat this process until your seeds are toasted to your satisfaction.
- OPTIONAL: Spray the seeds lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt before toasting. It makes a tasty snack when they cool.
Why is it difficult to specify exact times for microwave directions?
Microwaves are not standardized. Consequently, it’s impossible to give definitive times and levels that apply to everybody’s oven.
Newer microwaves are more powerful and, therefore, faster. You will need less time. Older microwaves may need more time. Smaller microwaves usually have less power, even if they are brand new.
For this reason, I can only suggest times. Watch carefully until you know how fast the nuts will cook in your microwave oven.
One more variable to consider: If what you are toasting has been in the freezer or refrigerator, it might need slightly longer to toast than if the pecans are at room temperature.
It won’t be long before you can follow your nose as the best guide. When I can smell that toasty flavor, it’s probably time to stir or pull those nuts out of the microwave.
Voice of experience: If you accidentally burn any of these things, it’s like burning popcorn. Get it out of your house as fast as possible because it may smoke and smell for quite a while.
Bonus: An insanely effective method for storing nuts, seeds, oatmeal, or coconut–raw or toasted:
Use a vacuum-pack system, an everyday Mason jar, and a two-part metal lid to create an airtight container. If you have a full-size vacuum-pack machine, you only need a large mouth adapter like the white one seen below. If you don’t own a full-size machine, a hand-held machine will work perfectly and doesn’t take up room on your kitchen counter.
FAQ about toasting pecans in a microwave:
It depends on three things:
1. How powerful is your microwave?
2. How much are you trying to toast?
3. How warm are the nuts starting out?
The more powerful your microwave, the smaller the amount, and the warmer your nuts are, the faster your pecans (or anything else) will toast. See the recipe below for specific amounts and times.
Not necessarily. You can toast pecan halves just as easily. Stir frequently.
You will be able to smell them. If your smelling ability is diminished, taste them. If a few turn black, throw them out.
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More amazing things you can do in a microwave:
If you have questions or suggestions, email me privately for a quick answer: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon!
How To Toast Pecans, Almonds, Seeds, Oatmeal, or Coconut in a Microwave
Ingredients
- 1½ cup pecans - almonds, walnuts, seeds (like sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds),
- ½ cup OR ½ cup oatmeal - or coconut
Instructions
- Evenly distribute pecans, almonds, walnuts, seeds (like sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds), oatmeal, or coconut on a paper plate or micro-wave safe dinner plate
- Cook on HIGH in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir.
- Repeat step #2 until nuts, seeds, oatmeal or coconut are nicely toasted.
Paula Rhodes, author
I’m a retired home economist, wife, mother, grandmother, and creator of Saladinajar.com. I believe you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Here you’ll find time-saving tips, troubleshooting advice, and confidence-inspiring recipes to make life in the kitchen more fun, appetizing, and satisfying.