You won’t need an open fire to roast these chestnuts because your basic kitchen oven will suffice. By learning how to roast chestnuts you can enjoy this timeless classic holiday tradition in the convenience of your own home.
Not a lot of people actually roast and eat chestnuts, but maybe they should? While these little nuts can be hard to find in some locations, they’re always worth it to drive out of your way to get some. We enjoy making oven roasted chestnuts every year, and it’s such a fun experience every time.
What to Do With Roasted Chestnuts
Roasted chestnuts are enjoyed as a time honored snack or treat during the fall and winter months and especially around Christmastime. There’s a famous Christmas song with lyrics, “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” to signify how this snack has been with us for the ages.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- If you’ve ever wanted to know how to roast chestnuts like a street vendor, then you’re in luck because you can whip up a batch while wearing your favorite holiday pajamas.
- This recipe doesn’t take very long to make and will make your home smell incredible in the process.
- They’re as delicious as they are nutritious. Packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, these buttery sweet nuts are a perfect way to get a treat that fixes the cravings and helps to fix your digestive track as well.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need the following things:
- 1 pound (or more) of chestnuts in their shells
- A sharp paring knife
- A large baking sheet
- Your kitchen oven
How to Make Roast Chestnuts At Home
Cut a slit in the top of the chestnut.
Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes (your house will smell yummy when they’re done).
Dig in, peel, and eat! (PS – They are a little easier to peel when warm)
Tips for Roasting Chestnuts
– According to my calculations, you burn as many calories peeling chestnuts as you do eating them. *Note that this is just a guess and a joke to say that peeling them can be a bit labor-intensive.
– A large number of the chestnuts will have black parts. Eat around them (at least, that’s what we do!). You won’t die. About once every season, you open one, and it puffs with green mold. That means you won! Congratulations! This is exciting. It’s kind of like winning the wishbone pull on Thanksgiving:) Oh, but don’t eat these. They are not good. Not. Good.
-Really, chestnuts are a gamble, and some batches are better than others! Don’t be surprised if 20% aren’t edible (sad, but true)- this is why you burn as many calories peeling as you do eating:)
– Beware of flying shell pieces. They are like shrapnel.
How to Roast Chestnuts
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chestnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Slice a slit at the top of the chestnut. This is the rounded portion of the nut as the bottom side is where they will lay flat on the baking sheet.
- Place the chestnuts onto a baking sheet.
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Peel the chestnuts open and enjoy.
Do you have to soak chestnuts before roasting?
It isn’t necessary to soak your chestnuts before us, but you certainly can if you want to. Do you boil chestnuts before roasting? By boiling the nuts before roasting them, you make the skins much easier to remove as they will become softer due to the steam.
Can you eat chestnuts raw?
Yes, you can eat chestnuts raw if desired but note that removing the shell may be more difficult, and raw chestnuts are known for having a more bitter flavor to them. Roasting chestnuts helps to bring out the natural buttery sweet taste inside every nut.
How long to roast chestnuts
It’s important to pay attention to your nuts as they roast because it is possible to overcook them. It’s more important, however, to make sure that you mark a slit or X mark over the top of the nut, as this is where pressure will build as they roast. If the marks were not made, then, chestnuts have been known to explode in the oven due to the pressure.
Check out these other classic holiday recipes
- DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHERRY COOKIES
- GOOEY HOLIDAY CHEX MIX
- MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE DIPPED PEPPERMINT MERINGUES
- CHERRY PIE COOKIES
- ELF BAIT CHRISTMAS SNACK MIX
- EGGNOG POKE CAKE
- CHRISTMAS CHEESECAKE RECIPE
- GRINCH MARSHMALLOW POPS
- CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BREAD
- CHEESY PUFF PASTRY CHRISTMAS TREE
- GINGERBREAD COOKIE BITES
With the convenience of your kitchen, you can enjoy making oven roasted chestnuts at home year after year. Enjoy all of the perks of this great little snack and keep the classic Christmas tradition alive for years to come.
Alex says
Great post…I've never had chestnuts but your post makes me want to go try some!