Nut Facts

Nut facts picture of mixed nuts including walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts in the shell

Learn fun nut facts and general information about nuts. This page includes how different nuts grow, what to look for when buying them, storage tips, simple ways to use nuts in cooking, and easy nut recipe ideas.

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Fun Nut Facts

  • Nuts are now available year round, even though autumn is their traditional peak season.
  • Peanuts grow underground.
  • Walnuts, pecans, chestnuts, almonds, and many other nuts grow on trees.
  • Nuts can be eaten as snacks or used in breads, cakes, toppings, casseroles, and nut butters.
  • Nuts are high in protein and fiber.

How Nuts Grow, Buying Tips, and Storage

When Nuts Are Available

Traditionally nuts were mostly connected with autumn, but today they are available year round.

How Do Nuts Grow?

Peanuts grow on a plant that flowers above ground, but the peanuts themselves grow underground. Walnuts, pecans, chestnuts, almonds, and many other nuts grow on trees.

Walnut growing on tree Basket of walnuts

What to Look for When Buying Nuts

Packaged nuts are easy to find throughout the year. If you buy nuts in their shells, look for shells with no cracks or holes. They should not make a rattling sound when shaken.

Nut Storage Tips

Store nuts in a cool, dry place. For longer storage, keep them in the freezer.

Kid Tip: Adults may need to help crack nuts in shells. Chopped nuts are easier for many recipes.

How to Cook with Nuts

How to Use Nuts

  1. Chop nuts to use in breads, cakes, and toppings.
  2. Blend nuts to make nut butters.
  3. Use nuts in snacks, casseroles, baked goods, and crunchy toppings.
Chopped nuts
Cooking Tip: Nuts add crunch, flavor, and richness to both sweet and savory recipes.

Peanuts vs. Tree Nuts

Peanuts grow underground.

Tree nuts like walnuts, pecans, almonds, and chestnuts grow on trees.

Both can be used in cooking, but they grow in different ways.

Food Science: Nuts and Oils

Why Do Nuts Turn Creamy When Blended?

Nuts contain natural oils. When nuts are blended for long enough, those oils are released and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

That is how nuts can turn into spreads like almond butter or peanut butter.

Mini Activity

Compare Different Nuts

  1. Look at several kinds of nuts or pictures of them.
  2. Describe the size, shape, and shell of each one.
  3. Talk about which ones grow underground and which ones grow on trees.
  4. Predict which nuts might be best for baking, snacks, or nut butter.

Nut Nutrition Facts

Nuts are high in protein and fiber, which helps make them a filling ingredient and snack.

  • Nuts are high in protein.
  • Nuts are high in fiber.
  • Nuts can be a hearty snack or recipe ingredient.

More Food Fact Resources




Nut Recipes

Homemade Almond Butter

Make your own almond butter for breakfast or snacks with roasted almonds, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla.

  • Category: Spread
  • Prep: 10 minutes
  • Cook: No cooking
  • Yield: Varies
Making homemade almond butter
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups roasted almonds
  • 1 tablespoon canola or almond oil
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Put almonds in a blender and blend until finely ground.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients.
  3. Continue blending until smooth and creamy.
  4. Store in a container or jar.
Serving Tip: Spread almond butter on toast, bread, or crackers for an easy breakfast or snack.

Sugared Nuts

Toasted nuts coated with sugar and warm spices make a sweet crunchy snack.

  • Category: Snack
  • Prep: 10 minutes
  • Cook: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 cups
Toasted sugared nuts
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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon slightly beaten large egg white
  • 4 cups pecan halves, whole almonds, or walnut halves
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

  1. Beat egg white in a small bowl.
  2. Toss the nuts with the egg white to coat.
  3. Add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and toss again.
  4. Arrange nuts flat on a cookie sheet.
  5. Toast at 300 degrees for 30 minutes.
Flavor Tip: These make a good holiday snack or gift idea.

Homemade Peanut Butter

Homemade peanut butter is easy to make with just peanuts and a little oil.

  • Category: Spread
  • Prep: 5 minutes
  • Cook: No cooking
  • Yield: Varies
Homemade peanut butter
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups salted dry roasted peanuts
  • 1 tablespoon peanut oil

Directions

  1. Add peanuts and oil to a food processor or blender.
  2. Blend about 5 minutes until smooth.
  3. Place in a bowl or plastic container and cover.
  4. Chill in the refrigerator and keep for about 2 weeks.
Teaching Tip: This is a great recipe for showing how nuts release their natural oils when blended.

More Nut Ideas

Nutty chicken fingers

Nutty Chicken Fingers

Use nuts to add crunch to a savory dinner recipe.

Zucchini bread with nuts

Zucchini Bread

Add chopped nuts to quick breads for extra flavor and crunch.

Homemade almond butter

Homemade Almond Butter

Blend nuts into a creamy spread for breakfast or snacks.

Homemade peanut butter

Homemade Peanut Butter

Try another easy nut butter recipe made with just two ingredients.

Nut Cooking Video: Spiced Nut Recipes

Nut Facts FAQ

When are nuts available?

Nuts are now available year round, even though autumn is their traditional peak season.

How do nuts grow?

Peanuts grow underground, while walnuts, pecans, chestnuts, almonds, and many other nuts grow on trees.

What should you look for when buying nuts?

If buying nuts in shells, choose ones with no cracks or holes and no rattling sound when shaken.

How should nuts be stored?

Store nuts in a cool, dry place or in the freezer for longer storage.

What nutrients are in nuts?

Nuts are high in protein and fiber.

Keep Learning About Nuts

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Food Facts Hub

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Kids Cooking Lessons

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Homemade almond butter

Homemade Almond Butter

See how blended nuts can become a creamy spread.

Homemade peanut butter

Homemade Peanut Butter

Try another easy homemade nut butter idea.

Share your food facts and recipes

Do you have a food facts or recipe to share?

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