Original post in Care2
Sure, you can just snack on roasted hazelnuts by the handful, but if you’re looking to mix things up, you need some solid hazelnut recipes to follow, from entrees to desserts!
WHY HAZELNUTS?
Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook was just talking recently on Care2 about why you should eat more hazelnuts. They’re packed with nutrients that protect your heart and eye health, prevent cancer and help lower cholesterol. Hazelnuts are also an anti-inflammatory food and a good source of fiber, which means that they promote healthy digestion and support overall gut health.
But for me, the best thing about hazelnuts is that they’re freaking delicious. They have a toasty, slightly-sweet umami flavor that’s just so satisfying.
You’re probably familiar with hazelnuts in dessert, but hazelnuts also shine in savory dishes. There are definitely some sweet dishes in the list of hazelnut recipes below, but I tried to focus more on the savory, since hazelnut desserts tend to be more common.
14 Vegan Hazelnut Recipes
Ready to eat more hazelnuts? Let these vegan hazelnut recipes inspire you!
1. Homemade Nutella
Conventional Nutella contains milk and palm oil, but it’s super simple to make your own with just a handful of plant-based ingredients. All that you need is a good blender.
2. Spanish-Style Chard w/ Raisins & Hazelnuts
The hazelnuts really shine in this sweet-yet-savory side dish. Swiss chard and garlic pair up beautifully with toasty hazelnuts and sweet raisins.
3. Raw Chocolate-Hazelnut Truffles
Chocolate and hazelnuts were made for each other, and they’re the stars of this easy hazelnut recipe. You only need three simple ingredients to make these chocolatey, decadent vegan hazelnut truffles.
4. Romesco Sauce
Hazelnuts, almonds, tomatoes and roasted peppers are the stars of this traditional Italian sauce. Serve it over pasta or veggies or use it as a dipping sauce.
A handful of hazelnuts adds flavor, texture and delicious nutrition to sweet and savory foods.
5. Chocolate Chia Tart with Hazelnut Crust
Hazelnuts and dates create the flavorful crust for this creamy, vegan chocolate tart. Once you bake the crust, you create the filling in your blender, then pour and chill overnight. The waiting part isn’t easy, but the results are well worth it!
6. Hazelnut Cheesecake Smoothie
This rich, creamy smoothie includes both whole hazelnuts and hazelnut milk. Drink it as a filling breakfast or serve it for dessert. The recipe makes two servings, so if you drink one today, you can eat the other with a spoon tomorrow, like a pudding.
7. Savory Chocolate Pasta with Hazelnut Chili Cream Sauce
If you’ve never had savory chocolate before, you’re in for such a delightful surprise! This special-occasion supper features homemade chocolate pasta with spicy cream sauce made from hazelnuts.
8. Easy Hazelnut Milk
If you can’t find hazelnut milk at the store or just prefer homemade, this recipe makes it super easy. You do need to plan ahead and soak the nuts overnight, and that prework pays off with flavorful, creamy hazelnut milk.
9. Vegan Pumpkin Alfredo with Roasted Hazelnuts
Roasted hazelnuts pair beautifully with creamy pumpkin-sage sauce. This may sound like a fancy meal, but it’s ready in about 20 minutes, so you can even make it on a busy weeknight!
10. Apple and Hazelnut Spelt Rye Sourdough Bread Loaf
Up your bread game with this hazelnutty sourdough rye. It’s a savory bread with a touch of sweetness from the apples.
11. Fall Harvest Butternut Squash Salad
Hazelnuts and butternut squash are the hearty stars of this arugula salad. You make the flavorful apple cinnamon dressing for this salad right in your blender, so it’s ready in a flash.
12. Wild Fennel Pesto with Dates and Hazelnuts
This is an offbeat pesto based on a Lebanese recipe. Sweet dates and nutty hazelnuts are lovely with the hint of licorice from the wild fennel. Serve this over pasta, like any other pesto, or use it as a dip or spread for bread or crackers.
13. Mushroom and Hazelnut Vegan Pâté
Mushrooms, lentils and hazelnuts combine to create a hearty pâté that would give any animal-based pâté a run for its money. Serve as an appetizer with plenty of crusty bread for spreading!
14. Crispy Baked Falafel with Hazelnuts and Creamy Lemon-Mint Sauce
Nuts aren’t an ingredient in traditional falafel, but the hazelnuts in this recipe add a depth of flavor that you’re going to love. The best part? You make both the falafel dough and the sauce in your food processor, so it’s super easy!
Main photo and Nutella photo via Getty Images. All other photos via recipe authors, used with permission.
