You are wandering to look for the best hazelnut substitutes. It could be that you wanted to make hazelnut-flavored cookies but are out of hazelnut itself. Don’t worry because I will tell you all about the best substitutes for hazelnut in this article. So before going for a different flavored batch of cookies, try these substitutes for hazelnut!
Got any ideas? Some of the best hazelnut substitutes are hazelnut extract, hazelnut butter, almonds, macadamia nuts, cashews, and pecans. Hazelnut is a delicious and flavorful nut often used in baked goods. It is a versatile ingredient and has a distinct taste and texture. It is not only a great ingredient to incorporate into your dishes but is also extremely healthy.
Now that I have piqued your interest let’s go and learn more about hazelnuts! In this article, you’ll get to know the reasons why you need substitutes for hazelnuts. So, without any further delay, let’s get to it!
Hazelnuts In The Culinary World
Undoubtedly, hazelnuts are an important ingredient. These are mostly used as ingredients in confections (remember Nutella!). They are used in cakes, truffles, tarts, cookies, etc.; because of their rich taste and texture, hazelnuts can be used to make flavored butter and spreads.
You can even make oil out of hazelnuts with a sharp taste, having a nutty flavor. Hazelnuts can also be used to add flavor to liqueurs. You can use them both ways, with or without their skin.
Not only in sweet dishes, but hazelnuts are also an amazing addition to savory dishes. They are often used in salads, pasta dishes, etc. Hazelnuts pair well with seafood as well. They give it a flavor twist and enhance the dish’s overall taste.
Hazelnut On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope
Hazelnuts have a high nutritional value. They are replete with antioxidants which are beneficial in protecting the body from oxidative stress. They’re rich in protein, vitamin E, manganese, etc. They help reduce your rate of gaining weight, reduce cholesterol, etc. You name it, and hazelnuts will do it for you!
Why Should We Substitute Hazelnuts?
Hazelnuts are versatile nuts that have immense health benefits and yummy culinary benefits. So, why should we bother about its substitutes? Primarily because these are quite expensive!
Hazelnuts are expensive because they are tough to grow and harvest. They are also highly demanded, and thus it is obvious that there may be times when the stores are out of these nuts. This makes it imperative to find out the best substitutes for hazelnuts.
Also, wouldn’t it be great if you can get the flavor of hazelnuts without actually using them? That is basically done with the help of a bunch of substitutes. You can always choose a suitable replacement for hazelnuts from the list provided in this article.
Other Food Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Macadamia Nut Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Water Chestnut Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Coconut Butter Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Pine Nut Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Coconut Sugar Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Coconut Aminos Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Peanut Oil Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Peanut Butter Substitutes You Can Try
- Best Greek Yogurt Substitutes In Baking
- Best Pearl Barley Substitutes You Can Try
10 Best Hazelnut Substitutes
There might be a lot of ingredients similar to hazelnut, but only some of them provide the dish with the required flavors and texture. Given below is a list of the ten best substitutes for hazelnut. Take a look!
1. Hazelnut Extract
If it’s the flavor you’re looking for, the best substitute you can use for hazelnut is hazelnut extract. Although it won’t provide your dish with the same texture as hazelnut, it will taste like you’ve used actual hazelnut.
To get the texture with the taste of hazelnut, just add some regular oats. They’ll provide the dish with the exact texture and crunchiness as that of hazelnut. Hazelnut extract works well as a substitute for hazelnut in cakes, ice cream, frosting, etc.
2. Hazelnut Butter
Hazelnut butter is basically the ground version of hazelnuts. Cinnamon, salt, and coconut sugar can be added, which is quite optional. Hazelnut butter is rich in taste and has a creamy, smooth texture. These work well when used as spreads, cookies, etc.
Again, if you want a substitute that tastes exactly like hazelnut, hazelnut butter should be your go-to option. It won’t provide the dish with the same texture as hazelnut, but it provides the same nutritional content to the dish as hazelnut would.
3. Almonds
Almonds are an amazingly good substitute for hazelnuts. They are extremely similar to raw hazelnuts and have almost the same texture. They’re crunchy and can be chewy at times. Almonds are of two types – sweet almonds and bitter almonds.
Almonds don’t really have a similar flavor to hazelnuts. They have a deep and, at times, bitter flavor. Hence, it is better to use almonds as a substitute for hazelnuts in baking, salads, etc. Here’s how you can make cinnamon sugared almonds at home.
4. Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are like the long distant cousins of hazelnuts. These are the same in appearance and have the same texture as well. What differs is the flavor. For dishes that require the buttery quality of hazelnut, macadamia nuts would work as the eBay substitute.
Macadamia nuts are a bit sweeter in flavor than hazelnuts, making them a good hazelnut substitute. They contain a bit more calories than hazelnuts do, but you can work with them. These work well as a replacement for hazelnuts in cookies, pies, salads, etc.
5. Cashews
Cashews are a great substitute for hazelnuts. They have an almost similar texture to that of hazelnuts. They provide the dish with the same crunchiness and chewiness. The nuttiness of the flavor in cashews is the same as in hazelnuts, but cashews are a bit sweeter than them.
Cashews will work as befitting hazelnut substitutes in pasta dishes, stir-fries, desserts, etc. They can be toasted and eaten as a snack, pureed into tasty butter, blended to make milk, and added to dishes for flavor and aroma. Here is how you can make Shahi kaju aloo with cream (Royal Cashew Potatoes) at home.
7. Pecans
Pecans are a type of nuts with a smooth shell. They are packed with many vital nutrients and have a sweet, buttery flavor. They have a crispy, crunchy texture. The presence of monounsaturated fat makes pecans a supremely healthy nut.
Pecans are similar to hazelnuts in a lot of ways since they are just as sweet as hazelnuts and have the same texture. They even have the same nuttiness to them as hazelnuts. Pecans can be easily used to make desserts, oils, etc. Here is the recipe for pecan cornbread dressing.
7. Walnuts
Walnuts are super healthy, single-seeded nuts from the walnut tree. They have a hard shell and a sharp, tangy flavor with subtle hints of bitterness. They have a crunchy, waxy texture. These are rich in antioxidants and are a good source of Omega 3 fat.
Walnuts are a considerable hazelnut substitute due to their nutritional value and fat content. In savory dishes, walnuts are a good choice since they offer a buttery content. If you want to spike up the protein content, go for walnuts. Here’s the recipe for some delicious black walnut ice-cream.
8. Oats
Oats are one of the wholesome cereals when it comes to healthy eating. These whole-grain foods are beneficial in lowering your cholesterol levels, maintaining your digestive system, and assisting in weight loss. They have a bland flavor with a mild, nutty flavor and a chewy texture.
Rolled oats have a nutty flavor and a soft texture making them good hazelnut substitutes. You can also roast oats before substituting them for hazelnuts for an enhanced flavor.
9. Sunflower Seeds
Technically speaking, sunflower seeds are the fruits of the sunflower plant. The three types of sunflower seeds are linoleic, high oleic, and sunflower oil seeds. These varieties differ based on the amount of fat in them. These seeds have a mild, nutty flavor and a firm, tender texture.
Sunflower seeds are a considerable hazelnut substitute due to their texture and flavor. These seeds can be added to bread, burgers, vegetables, tacos, and pesto sauce and can be sprinkled on baked food items.
10. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are the edible seeds of our dear pumpkin. They have a savory, nutty flavor and a fibrous texture. They are rich in many valuable nutrients and antioxidants. They are also high in fiber and help reduce the risk of cancer and the level of blood sugar. Pumpkin seeds can be used instead of hazelnuts for their flavor and nutritional values. They can be used in smoothies, salads, soups, hummus, pesto, cookies, and bread.
Short Recap Of Best Hazelnut Substitutes
That must have been an exhaustive read on the best hazelnut substitutes, right? Let me make it easy for you to remember the details with the help of some points.
Flavor: The best hazelnut substitutes in terms of flavor are hazelnut extract, pecans, macadamia, and cashew nuts.
Texture: The best hazelnut substitutes in terms of texture are almonds, pecans, macadamia nuts, and walnuts.
Nutritional Value: The best hazelnut substitutes in terms of nutritional value are cashew nuts, oats, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.
How To Use Hazelnut Substitutes In A Recipe
Hazelnut Substitutes
Ingredients
- Hazelnut Extract
- Hazelnut Butter
- Almonds
- Macadamia Nuts
- Cashews
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Oats
- Sunflower Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.
Final Musings
Hazelnuts are unique in both taste and texture. Lacking the ingredient in recipes that call for it can make the dish taste incomplete. Hazelnuts provide the dish with a certain kick of flavor. The substitutes provided are the best replacements for hazelnuts. They’re similar to hazelnuts in flavor and even in texture sometimes.
So, grab your spatula and get cooking! Don’t forget to tell me all about your cooking experience with these substitutes in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the substitute for hazelnuts in Nutella?
Almonds are good substitutes for hazelnuts in nutella.
What is the substitute for hazelnuts in salad?
Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are good substitutes for hazelnuts in salad.
Why are hazelnuts called filberts?
Hazelnuts are called filberts because of the bearded husks that cover the shells of these nuts.
Do hazelnuts taste like walnuts?
Hazelnuts do not taste like walnuts although they can be substituted for each other.
