Dehydrate Nuts and Seeds:
A Healthy Way to Preserve
Your Favorite Nuts

How to dehydrate nuts and seeds: well, in a (rather long) nutshell...

Variety of nuts in bowls, in a row

If you enjoy eating a handful of nuts and seeds every now and then and you want to know how to dehydrate nuts and seeds at home, keep reading!




I want to mention the health benefits for your digestive system - and why soaking and dehydrating nuts is important - and also why it impacts the nuts' Phytic acid content.

When soaking nuts for dehydration, note that their drying times will vary, depending on the nut or seed you want to dry.

Drying Nuts and Seeds

Nesco brand food dehydrating, 4-tray model

When you are ready to dehydrate nuts and seeds, it's an easy process. We use a dehydrator or an oven - or even the good old sunshine!

Which method you choose depends on the nut or seed and the quantity you want to dry.

If you're concerned about preserving texture and flavor, use a dehydrator. Doing so also helps protect against rancidity.

NOTE: Read the individual nuts and seeds sections for their specific instructions about whether or not to soak them first!

Dehydrator: Please note that you don't need to soak seeds before dehydrating them. Simply spread them out on the dehydrator tray. Set the temperature to between 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit. Let them dry for 12-24 hours, in other words: until the nuts or seeds are crisp.

Electric Oven: To dry in a regular electric oven, preheat to 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit and spread the nuts or seeds on a baking sheet. Bake them for 1-2 hours, rearranging them with a spoon or spatula on the tray every half hour or so, until the nuts or seeds are crisp.

Sunbaked: Spread the nuts or seeds in a single layer on a clean towel and put them in direct sunlight for 1-2 days, turning them occasionally so they dry evenly.

Keep a close watch on them if you've got nut-loving critters hanging around. When fully dried, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Soak and Dehydrate Nuts!

Soaking nuts in a glass bowl and measuring jug

Many folks prefer to soak the nuts first - some don't. Soaking tends to improve flavor and texture. Make sure you drain the nuts thoroughly before dehydrating them - to prevent mold growth!

You've also got the risk of rancidity when soaking nuts, so dehydrate them as soon as you can after soaking them. And that's why people skip the soaking step!

Pre-soaked nuts will take longer to dehydrate, which makes sense, right?

But First, What's Phytic Acid?

What's the fuss about Phytic Acid? It's a compound found in the hulls of nuts, seeds, grains, and fruits. It can prevent the absorption of nutrients but it can also bind to minerals in the gut which then prevents the nutrients from being absorbed by our digestive system.

So, soaking the nuts removes the Phytic Acid. And remember: Soaking or dehydrating nuts first helps to make them more nutritious and easier to digest.

Here's How to Dehydrate Nuts and Seeds

First Nuts:

Pine nuts with pine cones

Pine Nuts

Spread the pine nuts out smoothly on a dehydrator tray and dehydrate them at 115 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-24 hours. You'll know they're done when they're crisp and have no moisture left. Don't over-dry them or they may burn more easily.

Pine nuts are great for use in baking or as a topping on salads or pasta - and snacking too. Dehydrated pine nuts will last up to 6 months in an airtight container when stored in a cool, dark place.

To rehydrate pine nuts, soak them in water for 30 minutes, then drain well.

Macadamia nuts in wooden bowl

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are a delicious, versatile, and healthy snack. They can be eaten raw, roasted, or dehydrated. Drying these nuts is a great way to preserve them for long-term storage. Dehydrating macadamia nuts makes them last longer which preserves their flavor and nutrition.

Peel the nuts and then soak them in water for at least 24 hours. Next, drain them and let them air dry.

Dehydrator: Arrange them on dehydrator trays and dry them at 100-140 degrees Fahrenheit

Regular Oven: Use a low temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, until completely dried.

Macadamia nuts are a  great source of healthy fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals and are pretty low in carbs and calories.

Pecans and Walnuts, loose

Pecans and Walnuts

Add pecans and walnuts in recipes, or add them to granola or trail mix, too.

Dehydrator: Rinse and place in your dehydrator at 105-150 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-24 hours, turning occasionally, until they are dry and crisp.

Oven Dry: Start by spreading the nuts out on a baking sheet and bake at a low temperature (200 degrees Fahrenheit) for about two hours, or until the nuts are dry and crisp.

Once they're cooled, store the nuts in an airtight container such as a Mason jar. They'll keep for six months to a year.

Making Crispy Nuts

Making crispy nuts is easy! First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, spread the nuts on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes.

Remove the nuts from the oven and let them cool completely.

Finally, enjoy your crispy nuts! They are a great snack and are perfect for satisfying those pesky hunger cravings.

Raw Nuts

People have been eating raw nuts (and seeds) for centuries and many cultures consider them a delicacy. 'Raw' means that it has not been roasted or cooked in any way. Eaten raw, they are a healthy, nutritious food that is safe to eat.

To rehydrate dehydrated nuts, you simply soak them in water for a few hours. Once rehydrated, they can be eaten as is or used in recipes.

Almonds - raw, sliced, and ground

Almonds

Almonds are a type of "stone fruit" that grows on trees and has brownish-white skin and creamy-white flesh. Raw almonds are the seed of the fruit, encased in their hard shells.

Almonds are used in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be eaten on their own or used to make almond milk, butter, or flour. Almonds are also a common topping for salads and desserts.

In addition to being delicious, almonds are also a good source of fiber and protein and are packed with Vitamin E and magnesium.

Studies have shown that eating almonds can help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health. Additionally, almonds are linked with better brain function and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Think I'll eat more almonds after learning that!




Next Seeds:

Pumpkin seeds in a wooden bowl

Pumpkin Seeds

Dehydrate your pumpkin seeds at home and read more about dehydrating pumpkin (flesh) here! Dehydrating pumpkin seeds at home allows you to control the level of saltiness.

First, start with raw, hulled pumpkin seeds. Soak the pumpkin seeds in water overnight, then let drain and spread them out on dehydrator trays.

Dehydrate the seeds at a low temperature until they are crisp. You can then add salt to taste - or wait to add salt until after roasting.

Roasting pumpkin seeds is a simple process: just toss the dehydrated seeds in a bit of oil first, then roast them at a high temperature until they are brown and crispy. Keep an eye on 'em. After roasting, sprinkle on the salt.

Sunflower seeds spilling out of a bowl

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds come from the sunflower plant (not surprisingly!) and the scientific name for them is Helianthus annuus (honest!)

Sunflower seeds can be used to make sunflower butter and sunflower oil.

How To Make Sunflower Seeds:

First, soak the seeds in water for a few hours, then drain them and place them on a dehydrator tray. Dehydrate them at a temperature between 115-120 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-24 hours, or until they are crisp.

Once dehydrated, you can roast the seeds in the oven at a low temperature (around 200 degrees Fahrenheit) until they are browned and fragrant. You can then add salt to taste.

Sunflower seeds are a healthy snack that can be eaten roasted, enjoyed as part of a trail mix, or as an addition to salads or baked goods.

Flax seeds in a heart shape

Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are a source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They can be eaten raw or dehydrated. My mom was "nuts" about them (pun intended). Soaking or dehydrating flax seeds helps to release enzymes that make them easier to digest.

They are a good source of fiber, magnesium, and Omega-3 fatty acids. You can add them to smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, or baked goods.

Adding flax seeds to your diet can aid in digestion, heart, and joint health. Long live flax seeds!

Sesame seeds on a wooden spoon

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are a delicious and healthy addition to many dishes, but they can be a bit tricky to work with. If not dried properly, they can spoil quickly.

Oven method: Spread the seeds out on a baking sheet and place them in a preheated oven. Check on the seeds regularly and remove them from the heat as soon as they are dry. Don't let them burn in the oven!

Air Dry method: The other is to place the seeds on a clean towel and allow them to air dry.

And my favorite method? Dehydrate them! It's a great way to extend their shelf life and make them easier to store.

To dehydrate them, simply spread them out on a baking sheet and bake at a low temperature until dry. Once dehydrated, the seeds can be stored in an airtight container such as a Mason jar in a cool, dry place.

When ready to use, simply rehydrate sesame seeds by soaking them in water for a few hours - or overnight. Use these dehydrated seeds in any recipe that calls for sesame seeds, such as baked goods, stir-fries, or curries.

Using Sea Salt

Sea salt in a bowl, on the beach

If you're looking for a way to add some extra flavor to your nuts, sea salt is a great option.

The saltiness of sea salt enhances the flavor of nuts, making them even tastier!

Sea salt can help to keep nuts fresh for longer, too.

When stored in an airtight container with sea salt, nuts will stay fresh for up to six months.

Filtered Water

When you're ready to soak nuts, use filtered water as this helps to remove any impurities that could spoil the dehydrating process, as well as making it easier to remove the skins later on (where applicable).

Simply soak the nuts or seeds in filtered water at the length of time specified in the nut or seed mentioned earlier,  then drain them thoroughly before dehydrating.

Long-Term Storage

Mason jars with screw-off lids

Now you're ready to store your tasty nuts for long-term storage.

The best way to store them after dehydrating is in Mason jars, (as mentioned throughout this post), in a cool, dark place like a pantry.

They will last for several months when stored this way.

Be sure to label the containers with the date of dehydration so you can rotate the old and the new jars on the shelf.

Do You Have a Secret for
How You Dehydrate Nuts and Seeds?

If you have a few tips up your sleeve, share them!

We’d love to hear about your experiences with how you dehydrate nuts and seeds!

Drop me a line here at Easy Food Dehydrating.

So, there you have it! The basics on how to dehydrate nuts and seeds and whether to soak and dehydrate them, or just simply skip the soaking.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy your favorite variety of nuts and seeds for months on end - without having to worry about them going off.

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Susan Gast, owner of Easy Food Dehydrating plus ePubTechReviews.com, and SusanGast.com

Susan Gast began Easy Food Dehydrating in December 2010.

Read Susan's story of what sparked her interest in all things related to "food dehydrating."

She is featured on the Mother Earth News blog, and on Solo Build It! (SBI!) who hosts this site. Read her first SBI! interview and her second SBI! interview.

Since 1980, Susan's involvement in publishing - in one form or another - led her to create ePubTechReviews which reviews a variety of products related to the publishing industry - if you're at all interested in AI and self-publishing. The website is also hosted by Solo Build It!

Susan also runs her namesake site SusanGast.com on Solo Build It! that showcases the books she has written since 2012.

Do you want to send Susan a quick message? Visit her contact page here. She'd love to hear from you!