Want to pump up the flavor in...just about any dish? Toss in fragrant, freshly toasted nuts.

Start by toasting your own almond slivers or other nuts. Then use them for crunch in salads (instead of white-flour croutons), cereal, oatmeal, yogurt (instead of sugary granola), and more.

Should you toast nuts in the oven or stovetop? 

For the most even browning, toast nuts in the oven. But you can also toast nuts in a dry skillet on the stovetop, if you’re willing to continuously shake or stir them until they’re toasted.

How much to toast at once

Toasted nuts don’t stay fresh-tasting for as long as untoasted nuts do. So either toast only what you’ll use now, or toast a little extra and store them in the freezer (for up to a month).

How to oven-toast nuts 

  1. On a rimmed sheet pan, toast nuts in the oven at 325°F until fragrant and lightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes.
  2. Set a timer and shake or stir every 5 minutes or so. (Just watch them closely. Nuts can go from untoasted to burnt in what seems like seconds.)
  3. Let cool completely, then store in a freezer bag or airtight container.