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.

sliced almonds toasted in a microwavePin

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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? Do you ever reach for nuts for your salad but don’t want to take the trouble to toast them?

I confess that I used to ignore the toasting step when in a hurry (always?). 

Four Reasons To toast Pecans, or Other Nuts, Seed, or Coconut

  1. Improved taste in baked goods
  2. Enhanced nutty flavor
  3. Color is more appetizing, especially almonds and coconut
  4. 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.

Happy Cooks Speak Up

I never knew that this could be done…where have I been? ….thanks so much for knowledge that will bring great flavor to my recipes.–JACQUELINE


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

 untoasted  vs. toasted pecans from microwavePin
LEFT: raw chopped pecans RIGHT: toasted chopped pecans
  1. 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.
  2. Cook on HIGH for 1 minute. If toasting a smaller amount than ½ cup, stir at smaller intervals.
  3. Cook on HIGH for an additional minute and stir.
  4. 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.
  5. Toasted pecans give off a wonderful toasted aroma you will learn to recognize when they are done.

How To Toast Sliced Almonds

raw and microwave-toasted almonds on the rightPin
LEFT: Raw sliced almonds RIGHT: Toasted sliced almonds
  1. Place 1/2 cup of almonds onto a microwave-safe plate, a glass pie plate, or a paper plate.
  2. Cook on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir.
  3. Cook on HIGH for an additional minute and stir.
  4. If they are not brown enough, cook for 30 seconds and stir again. Repeat until they are perfectly toasted.
  5. 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.

Try toasted almonds in this amazing Crunchy Coleslaw with Ramen recipe.


How To Toast Coconut in the Microwave

untoasted coconut flakes compared to microwave toasted coconut flakesPin
LEFT: Untoasted coconut flakes; RIGHT: Toasted coconut flakes
  1. Place ½ cup of flaked coconut onto a microwave-safe plate or a paper plate.
  2. Cook on HIGH for 30-45 seconds. Stir.
  3. Cook on HIGH for an additional 30-45 seconds and stir.
  4. 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

raw and microwave-toasted oatmealPin
LEFT: Untoasted old-fashioned oats; RIGHT: Toasted old-fashioned oats
  1. Place 1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats onto a microwave-safe plate or a paper plate.
  2. Cook on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir.
  3. Cook on HIGH for an additional minute and stir.
  4. 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

raw vs toasted (with oil and salt) pumpkin seeds using the microwavePin
LEFT: Raw pumpkin seeds. RIGHT: Toasted pumpkin seeds with a spritz of olive oil and salt
  1. Place 1/2 cup of raw seeds onto a microwave-safe plate or a paper plate.
  2. Cook on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir.
  3. Cook on HIGH for an additional minute and stir.
  4. 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.
  5. OPTIONAL: Spray the seeds lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt before toasting. It makes a tasty snack when they cool.

raw vs. toasted sunflower seeds done in the microwavePin
LEFT: Raw sunflower seeds. RIGHT: Toasted sunflower seeds

Why It’s 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 badly 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 won’t take up room on your kitchen counter.

logo for saladinajar
Join our community of adventurous cooks, and start creating homemade food worth sharing.

If you want inspiration and exclusive tips, add your email and press the button. (Don't worry. I won't sell your email.)

FAQ

How long does it take to toast 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.

Should I chop pecans before toasting?

Not necessarily. You can toast pecan halves just as easily. Stir frequently.

How do I know when the pecans are toasted?

You will be able to smell them. If your smelling ability is diminished, taste them. If a few turn black, throw them out.



Help at Your Fingertips: For questions or suggestions, email Paula at saladinajar.com. If you need help, I’m happy to troubleshoot via email (faster than leaving a comment). Attach pictures and as many details as possible for the best advice.

How to Use a Microwave to Toast Nuts or CoconutPin
Yield: 8

How To Toast Pecans, Almonds, Seeds, Oatmeal, or Coconut in a Microwave

These are instructions for quickly toasting pecans, almonds, seeds, oatmeal, or coconut in a microwave to be used in baking or salads.

Rate this recipe

(5 stars if you loved it)

5 from 9 votes
PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE SEND EMAIL
Prep time: 1 minute
Cook time: 3 minutes
Total time: 4 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • cup (150 g) pecans almonds, walnuts, seeds (like sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds),
  • ½ cup (40 g) 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.

Notes

Watch carefully as every microwave cooks a little bit differently. Nuts can go from perfect to burned in a few seconds. Pick out any burned pieces. There are usually very few.
The calorie count will vary depending on which ingredient you choose.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com

5-Star Ratings Are My Favorite!Help others find this recipe in search results on the web.
My Amazon Store

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




15 Comments

  1. Jill Uher says:

    Using the microwave to toast nuts is a convenient time saver.

    1. Hi Jill,
      Hope you are doing well. Thank you for the confirmation on this post. Especially handy with all the holiday cooking a lot of us are doing.

  2. Bonnie Smith says:

    Thanks for the good advice, Paula. That worked well for me. Though I will admit it took a whole lot longer when the almond slivers were frozen.

  3. 5 stars
    This makes life so much easier—and tastier! Thanks, Paula!

  4. 5 stars
    This makes life so much easier—and tastier! Thanks, Paula!

  5. The almonds pictured are not slivered as stated; they are sliced which makes a difference in time cooked. I have a high-powered microwave, and it took 4 minutes for my slivered; might could even use a little more. But now I’ll know about the sliced and am tickled to know about the coconut, thanks for posting. 🙂

  6. 2 minutes total was too long for my almonds. I would suggest the first 1 minute then maybe 30 seconds the second time around. I had a LOT of burnt ones with the last 1 minute.

    1. Hi Pat,
      Directions for microwave cooking must always be taken as a suggestion with lots of observation the first time or two you make a recipe with microwave instructions. I have two microwave ovens myself. The differences between them are astronomical so I must adjust times accordingly on every recipe I make.

  7. LOVE the salad in a jar idea…life can be so simple! Try soaking the almonds for a day or two (change the water morning and evening) salting/seasoning them and place in a dehydrator until desired crispness. Great snack for kids especially and they keep in a jar for ages!

  8. Well, I am one of those that does toast the nuts but not anymore or at least not in the oven. Never thought about the microwave but I will definitely use now. Thanks, you are such a genius!!

  9. You could make these anytime for me! Great travel snack!

    Steve

  10. I am sooo Guilty of skipping toasting! Thanks for this tip I will no longer skip toasting!

  11. Wow – what a great idea (that I never knew existed)! I am one of those that sometimes skip the toasting step knowing good and well that the flavor will be much, much better! Now – an easy and quick method that is surely worth a try! Thanks for sharing!

  12. Great idea and such a time saver…thanks!

    Enjoy!

  13. Jacqueline Strawder says:

    OM gosh ….I never knew that this could be done…where have I been? ….thanks so much for knowledge that will bring great flavor to my recipes.