How to Roast Chestnuts in the Microwave
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Every fall my family gathers chestnuts from a nearby tree. Then, we pop them in the freezer to enjoy throughout the year. If you’ve never roasted chestnuts before, you have to give it a try. It’s easy and fun to do – and takes just a few minutes in the microwave.
How to Roast Chestnuts in the Microwave
Total Time:
5 minutes
What You Do:
Use a knife to score an “X” on the pointy end of each chestnut.
Then, place the nuts on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave at one-minute intervals, until the outer shell starts to peel back slightly where you made your score (This usually takes 3-4 minutes, depending on your microwave). Just be careful not to microwave them longer than you need to, or you’ll burn them.
Peel off the shell as soon as you’re able to handle them comfortably. Chestnuts are easiest to peel when they’re hot.
Enjoy your roasted chestnuts as a snack, or incorporate them into a dish. They’re a wonderful addition to Thanksgiving stuffing.
If you have a large number of chestnuts, you can also roast them in the oven.
There absolutely wonderful in this chestnut butter recipe. It’s a fun alternative to peanut butter.
How to Roast Chestnuts in the Microwave
Chestnuts are a cinch to roast in the microwave. Just follow these steps, and they’ll be ready to eat in less than five minutes.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Varies
Ingredients
- Chestnuts
Instructions
- Use a knife to score an “X” on the pointy end of each chestnut.
- Then, place the nuts on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave at one minute intervals, until the outer shell starts to peel back slightly where you made your score (This usually takes 3-4 minutes, depending on your microwave).
- Peel off the shell as soon as you’re able to handle them comfortably. Chestnuts are easiest to peel when they’re hot.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes (up to 4 minutes)
- Category: Snack
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: how to roast chestnuts in the microwave
Wow—Thank You!
This is an atircle that makes you think “never thought of that!”
can’t wait to try them
I tend to use my PC, when doing meals, (wife ill in bed) so this one for chestnuts was really great. THANK YOU TO ALL.
Mine came out too hard. I roasted 4 on a plate for 1 minute.
Try less time next time. Every microwave is a bit different.
I experimented with roasting chestnuts in the microwave before I sought your advice. I shelled the chestnuts prior to roasting simply because that is how you eat sunflower seeds, hickory nuts and walnuts. First, about of 1/3 of the nuts had mold on them and were thrown out. Those that were not molded were too hard to chew. The chestnuts that were not moldy looked just like those in your picture. Being too hard to chew made me assume chestnuts were to be roasted before eaten. Experimenting in the microwave started with 3-4 shelled chestnuts on a plate for 25 secs., too hard to eat. Each time I would use 3-4 shelled chestnuts and increase the microwave time, only, until I used 123 or actually, one minute, 23 secs. Every time the chestnuts were as hard as rocks after they were cool enough to handle. Is the problem the chestnuts, the microwave or me? Thank you for your time.
Hi Charlie,
It sounds like your chestnuts might not have been very fresh. They have a REALLY short shelf life. But it’s also possible that you just didn’t microwave them long enough. It usually takes 3-4 minutes for the shell to peel back when I roast some. Maybe give it one more go, to see if that isn’t the issue.
When ripe; chestnuts are firm; but definitely not “Rock-Hard” crunchy when uncooked; the textures more like a hard cheese when cooked. (never as hard as roast almonds) so there would seem to be a problem that I’ve never come across ? It would seem that they were perhaps picked before they were ripe ?? – Cheers – John
As an aside; I cook my chestnuts in the stove top; in a cast iron saucepan with the lid on; on the very lowest gas setting, the saucepan de-facto becomes a mini-oven for the ten or so minutes they are left to roast, I use this technique for quite a few things.. 🙂 Best of luck 🙂
Great infomation! I always like to try new things and chestnuts were really new. Thanks for taking your time for other people, afterall we’re all in the same soup. Pam
I find that scoring, then soaking in water for a few minutes before cooking adds moisture to soften the nuts. Be sure to cover the dish or container to retain the moisture while cooking, (and minimize popping explosions). Moist shells peel off easier.
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Note that some big box stores sell an inexpensive “Chestnut Cutter” or a “Chestnut Peeler.” I got mine from an internet store. It looks like a nut cracker but has a cross-blade to make the cut on the nut.
My fingers love me for it!!
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fantastic micrawave cooking shestnuts
i cut a cross in shell about 20mm deep put streight in microwave for 3.30 minuets peel and eat
perfect about 4to 6 at a time just confirming your recipe
well done
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