Roasting Chestnuts is easy in the oven and shouldn’t be missed as a holiday treat! This guide has Everything You Need to Know!
You’ve probably sung about ‘chestnuts roasting over an open fire’ but have you eaten roasted chestnuts? OR did you know you can roast chestnuts yourself?
They are a fun treat at during the holidays and the oven is perfect for roasting chestnuts!
Roasted chestnuts are a delicious and unique signature of the holiday dining-scape, as well as very easy to prepare.
Jump to:
The chestnut itself is a large, soft, sweet-tasting nut enclosed in a beautiful, hard mahogany-looking shell.
With a few tips you can start a new tradition to go along with the Christmas Carol!
When are Chestnuts Available?
In the United States, chestnuts begin showing up in grocery stores around Thanksgiving. In other areas of the world they are available at different times of the year.
You will find them in grocery stores now (available as ‘organic’ too), ready to be oven-roasted and enjoyed as part of your holiday celebrations.
Where to Buy Chestnuts
You will find chestnuts in grocery stores and Farmer’s Markets. Often outdoor Christmas markets and fairs will sell them already roasted too.
How Long to Keep Chestnuts Before Roasting?
Chestnuts should be kept in the refrigerator only for a few days before roasting.
What Do Roasted Chestnuts Taste Like?
The tender meat of the chestnut has a slightly sweet flavor more like a sweet potato than another type of nut.
Roasted chestnuts also are a bit spongey rather than crunchy. They are a wonderful flavor of the season that everyone should try!
How to Eat Roasted Chestnuts
They can be eaten plain or added to dishes like stuffing for a sweet crunch.
Roasting Chestnuts: How to Make an X and Why
You’ll notice both in these photos and in most photos of roasting chestnuts there is an X cut into the chestnut.
If the chestnuts are not scored, they can explode due to the pressure inside as they cook.
That’s easy to avoid. Making an X avoids the pressure build up AND makes them easy to peel after roasting.
I have read other methods suggesting using a dull knife; ignore that advice!
The outer shell of the chestnut takes some effort to penetrate.
Though it is a thin shell, it’s smooth requiring a tight grip and a sharp knife to slice through it; a sharp serrated knife works best.
Roasting Chestnuts: How to Do It
The great news is that roasting chestnuts is easy with a few simple steps!
STEP 1. Preparation
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
STEP 2. Cut the chestnuts to vent
With a serrated knife (a bread knife works great), slice a large ‘X’ on the flat side of the chestnuts.
NOTE: Be sure you slice through to the nut itself which allows steam to escape when cooking and easy peeling.
Place scored chestnuts on a baking sheet with the X facing up.
STEP 3. Bake
Bake until the shell of the chestnut is peeling back around the ‘X’ (depending on the chestnuts aproximately 15-25 minutes). Refer to the photos below.
STEP 4. Steam
Remove from oven and place a kitchen towel over the pan allowing them to steam slightly for 15 minutes.
How to Peel Roasted Chestnuts
When peeling roasted chestnuts there is the outer shell and a thin inner covering that comes off easily after this roasting method.
Chestnuts can be peeled when cool enough to handle (peel by pulling the shell away at the ‘X’). Roasted chestnuts are best eaten right after roasting (versus saving them for another day).
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Wassail: a Classic Holiday Drink
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: The Best Method Ever!
- Cranberry Goat Cheese Party Appetizer
- Hot Chocolate Mix: An Easy Recipe for Home and Gifts
- Candied Pecans
- Instant Pot Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Quiche Lorraine
- Eggnog Magic Cake
Recipe
Roasting Chestnuts
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chestnuts (edible variety from a store, in the quantity you desire)
Supplies
- serrated knife
- rimmed baking sheet
- clean kitchen towel
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- With a serrated knife (a bread knife works great), slice a large ‘X’ on the flat side of the chestnuts. Be sure you slice through to the nut itself which allows steam to escape when cooking and easy peeling.
- Place scored chestnuts on a baking sheet with the X facing up. Bake until the shell of the chestnuts are peeling back around the ‘X’(depending on the chestnuts aproximately 15-25 minutes). Refer to photos.
- Remove from oven and place a kitchen towel over the pan allowing them to steam slightly for 15 minutes. Chestnuts can be peeled when cool enough to handle (peel by pulling the shell away at the ‘X’). Chestnuts are best eaten right after roasting (versus saving them for another day).
Video
Nutrition
Originally published: December 8, 2012
Aimee Shugarman says
What a fun and festive idea! We’ve only bought them before and loved making our own. Very easy to follow.
Kimberly says
I can’t imagine Christmastime without these – great tips!
Katie Wyllie says
I have never tried to roast chestnuts before but they were so yummy! Thanks for making this an easy to simple recipe!
Cathy Pollak says
I couldn’t wait to try this! They turned out so good. I love knowing I can make them at home.
Mimi says
A great post. I can’t get them fresh where I live, so I probably won’t get a chance to roast them myself, but I have had them on the streets of NYC. From an early age I was scared of chestnuts because of stories of my absent-minded French grandmother and her exploding chestnuts! I’m sure she’d forgotten about the X. I did buy them jarred once from Williams-Sonoma to use in a braised cabbage dish and they were terrible. Wouldn’t recommend that.
Toni Dash says
I havent heard the story but can imagine! Thanks for the tip too!
Aysegul Sanford says
I am sooo happy you published this as I have never been able to do a good job with roasting chestnuts. However, this recipe works. They came out beautifully.
Sabrina says
Thank you for sharing this! We’re always looking to add new traditions to our family and this looks like it would be so much fun….and yummy too!
Brenda says
I never grew up with this tradition. Such a great recipe, thanks! I love being able to include it in our holiday festivities.
Jennifer Farley says
So festive! I couldn’t wait to try! Very easy and it just tastes like Christmas.
Anna says
This is such a fun idea for a Christmas tradition! Of course with Nat King Cole playing in the background. 😀