10 easy ways to supercharge your day with walnuts

Rich in omega-3s, protein and a variety of minerals and vitamins, walnuts are not just nutritious, they’re also incredibly versatile.

Their rich, nutty taste adds texture and crunch to sweet and savoury dishes alike. Check out some of our tasty suggestions for you to try.

Read more: The health benefits of walnuts

Bake with walnuts for crunchiness and nutty flavour

Use chopped or whole walnuts next time you’re baking. They work wonderfully in everything from crunchy biscuits and indulgent walnut and coffee cake to muffins and wholesome bread.

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Crumble walnuts onto yoghurt and serve with fruit

Top yoghurt, sliced banana and blueberries with a few tablespoons of chopped walnuts for a tasty snack or dessert.

Sprinkle them over porridge with lashings of honey

Make a hearty breakfast bowl of porridge scattered with a handful of crushed walnuts for a hit of protein and fibre. Finish off with a drizzle of honey for sweetness.

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Make homemade walnut pesto

Instead of pine nuts, process walnuts with olive oil, basil and garlic until you have a rough paste. Serve mixed into whole grain pasta or roasted vegetables or as a tasty dip.

Pair walnuts with brown rice for a protein boost

Get an added dose of protein with a sprinkling of walnuts stirred into with whole grain brown rice. You’ll have a mouth-watering dish that’s also vegan-friendly.

Team them with kale to make a delicious salad

If you’re after a light yet filling lunch, combine walnuts, kale, chopped apples and pears tossed with a quick yet delicious dressing made with cider vinegar and sesame oil.

Blend walnuts into delicious and nutritious smoothies

For a speedy breakfast or when you’re on the go, put a ripe banana, honey, 200ml of almond milk and a handful of walnuts into a food processor and blend until smooth.

Whizz them up with dried fruit to make homemade energy bars

Blend equal parts Holland & Barrett Wonderful Walnuts with your choice of dried fruit including chopped dates to bind and sweeten the bars. When you have a thick paste, press it into a square tray before chilling in the fridge. Chop them into squares and store them in the fridge for whenever you need a pick-me-up.

Toast walnuts to bring out their flavour

Obviously, walnuts can be eaten raw but toasting them a little brings out more of their flavour. Simply spread them out onto a baking tray and bake in the oven for 10 minutes until they turn golden.

Stir chopped walnuts into a creamy, nutty risotto

Walnuts, vegetable stock, mushrooms and grains like rice or quinoa effortlessly combine to make to make a creamy, comforting main meal. To make, add the ingredients to a pan and simmer gently ladling stock into the pan a little at a time.

Last updated: 14 April 2021