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The Best Way to Toast Almonds

What is the best way to toast whole almonds, and how does one know when they’re fully toasted?

Toasting almonds—or any nuts—helps release their essential oils and makes them more flavorful. If you’re toasting less than 1 cup of nuts, place them in a dry skillet set over medium heat and stir frequently until they’re fragrant and have darkened slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. If you’re toasting more than a cup, put the nuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast them in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 7 minutes, shaking the sheet frequently to prevent scorching.

Properly toasted whole nuts are not just browned on the outside, but all the way through the nut flesh—cut one in half to check for light browning.

BOTTOM LINE: Toast small amounts of nuts on the stovetop and larger amounts in the oven. A nut is properly toasted when it is brown throughout.

MORE THAN SKIN DEEP: Toasting nuts develops flavor inside, too.

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