Oven Roasted Whole Chestnuts
I couldn’t resist grabbing a bag of whole chestnuts at Trader Joe’s recently. Sadly, I am not able to roast these chestnuts over an open fire but oven roasting works well. I found instructions for oven roasting chestnuts on The Spruce that sounded simple and perfect. The chestnuts smelled amazing while they roasted in the oven and were much easier to shell than I imagined. They were simple, warm, and delicious. Eat them plain or saute them with a bit of butter and cinnamon–either way, they are delicious.
How to Make Oven Roasted Whole Chestnuts
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Using a sharp paring knife, make an X-shaped cut on the round side of each chestnut. Don’t skip this step because it keeps them from exploding when heated.
Arrange the chestnuts in a cast iron skillet or baking dish.
Place the chestnuts in the oven and roast them until the skins have pulled back from the cuts and the nut inside has softened, about 20 minutes.
Remove the nuts from the oven, make a mound of them in an old towel, wrap them up, squeeze them hard. Let them steam for a few minutes in the towel.
Peel the chestnuts and eat plain or saute them in some butter with a pinch of cinnamon and salt. Enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 lb of whole unpeeled chestnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Using a sharp paring knife, make an X-shaped cut on the round side of each chestnut.
- Don't skip this step because it keeps them from exploding when heated.
- Arrange the chestnuts in a cast iron skillet or baking dish.
- Place the chestnuts in the oven and roast them until the skins have pulled back from the cuts and the nut inside has softened, about 20 minutes.
- Remove the nuts from the oven, make a mound of them in an old towel, wrap them up, squeeze them hard.
- Let them steam for a few minutes in the towel.
- Peel the chestnuts and eat plain or saute them in some butter with a pinch of cinnamon and salt. Enjoy.
Didn’t know you can do this in oven! Gotta get some chestnuts to try. Thanks, Pam.
Good info Pam. I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever had roasted chestnuts.
Great with a glass of red wine, A tradition in our house for the holidays. Merry Christmas Pam,
I’ve always wanted to try roasting chestnuts, now I know! Just bought a pound and will try them tonight. Thanks for posting this.
I’ve only made roasted chestnuts a few times, but they are always so good. Sweet and lovely in the best way.