Some people buy already shelled walnuts, while others prefer to buy them in their natural form, with the shell, and crack them themselves.
If you belong to the second group but always struggle to remove walnut shells, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll show you three different ways to peel walnuts quickly and effortlessly. These clever tricks require very little effort, and once you try one, you’ll never want to go back!
Boiling Walnuts: The Must-Know Trick Nobody Talks About
Walnuts are among the most nutritious dried fruits in the world, and nutritionists strongly recommend consuming them because of their many health benefits.
They provide:
A good balance of essential fatty acids
An excellent source of dietary fiber, essential for digestive health
A high amount of protein
Walnuts have a high energy value—about 611 kilocalories per 100 grams of edible portion—but this is mainly due to their richness in healthy fats, which are beneficial to the body.
Shelled vs. Unshelled Walnuts: Which Is Better?
As mentioned earlier, there are two ways to buy walnuts:
Already shelled
In their shell
Nutritionists generally recommend buying walnuts in their shell, although they don’t completely discourage the shelled option.
Why choose walnuts in their shell?
The shell protects important nutrients—especially omega-3 fatty acids—much better than pre-shelled walnuts, which are usually sold in plastic packaging.
That said, shelled walnuts are still a healthy and well-balanced food, even if they may lose some nutrients. They’re perfectly fine for immediate consumption.
Peeling Walnuts Without Effort: 3 Foolproof Tricks
Peeling walnuts in just a few seconds is possible by using one of the following three effective methods.
While most people rely on the traditional nutcracker, these alternatives can make the task even easier.
Let’s take a look!
1. Boiling Water Method
Bring a pot of water to a boil.
Add the walnuts to the boiling water.
Let them boil for one minute.
Turn off the heat and drain the walnuts.
Allow them to cool slightly.
Crack them using a nutcracker.
The shells soften significantly, making them surprisingly easy to remove.
2. Microwave Method
Place the walnuts in a microwave-safe container.
Add water until the walnuts are covered.
Heat in the microwave until the water boils.
Let the walnuts cool slightly.
Peel them using your hands or a nutcracker.
This method saves even more time than boiling on the stove.
3. Traditional Oven Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
Place the walnuts on a baking tray.
Heat them for at least 5 minutes.
Remove and let them cool slightly.
Crack the shells easily.
The shells become slightly brittle, making them very easy to crack afterward.
Conclusion
With these three simple techniques, peeling walnuts no longer has to be a struggle. Whether you choose boiling water, the microwave, or the oven, you’ll save time and effort—while enjoying all the nutritional benefits walnuts have to offer.
