• Welcome!
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Whole Lifestyle Nutrition

Organic Recipes & Holistic Recipes

  • About
  • My Books
    • Natural Solutions for Cleaning and Wellness
    • Gluten Free & Grain Free Breads, Batters, & Doughs
  • Recipes
    • Recipes
    • Meal Plans
  • Lifestyle
    • Limitless Freedom Method
    • Health & Lifestyle
      • Challenges
        • 28-Day Healing Challenge
        • 30-Day Dumbbell Challenge
    • Natural Solutions
      • Health Remedies
      • Home Remedies
      • Natural Solutions Resource Page
  • Women’s Startup Academy

Appetizers / Snacks Gluten Free Grain Free Health & Lifestyle Recipes WLN Favorites

Is Soaking Nuts Necessary & How To Properly Soak Your Organic Raw Nuts!

How To Soak Nuts | WholeLifestyleNutrition.com.001

 Is It Necessary To Soak Nuts?

 

Many of us consume nuts for their healthy fats and their good source of protein. They make a great quick snack that can easily be taken with you, making it an ideal snack. But many of us do not know how to properly prepare nuts so that we can better digest them. Is it necessary to soak nuts? The answer to that question is yes, absolutely!

Nuts have phytic acid. Phytic acid is also found in grains and legumes. Just as with grains and legumes, soaking nuts is essential for proper digestions. When eating nuts that haven’t been soaked, the phytic acid binds to minerals in the gastrointestinal tract and can not be absorbed in the intestine and to many bound minerals can lead to mineral deficiencies. By soaking, you are breaking down the phytic acid so it can be absorbed properly.

Nuts also have high amounts of enzymes inhibitors. This is another reason why un soaked nuts are hard to digest. Soaking nuts can neutralize the enzymes allowing for proper digestion.

 

Signs That You Aren’t Digesting Nuts

 

Have you ever had a heavy feeling in your lower stomach after eating too many nuts that were not soaked?

Have you noticed the next day that the nuts are in your stool? These are a few signs that the nuts were not properly digested.

It isn’t hard to soak and dry your nuts. It actually only takes a few minutes of hands on work to accomplish this task. Time is what you need to allow the nuts to soak and dry.

How To Soak Nuts

 

I have learned this method of drying and soaking from the research of Sally Fallon and her great book ~ Nourishing Traditions: The book that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats. If you do not have a copy of her cookbook it is a great resource of information and is an essential cookbook for traditional cooking.

So the basic method of soaking nuts is pretty much the same with some slight variations. Basically, you soak the nuts in salt water (salt is necessary to help neutralize the enzymes) and then you dry them.

Be sure to fully dry your nuts or they could become moldy. You do not want to dry your nuts any higher than 150°F. You can use a Nesco American Harvest Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator or an oven to dehydrate your nuts.

A lot of the newer ovens do not go below 200ºF. You can most likely change the default setting of 200°F. Check your owners manual to learn how for your make and model. You can also set your oven to the lowest temperature and leave it slightly a-jarred. Use an internal thermometer to reach the desired temperature.

One last thing I want to note. Soaking the nuts not only helps with digestion but it enhances the flavor tremendously! They are slightly crispy, have a nice texture, and taste amazing. That alone encourages me to soak my nuts! If you haven’t tried to soak your nuts, give this method a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised how easy and delicious soaked nuts are!


A Special Offer For You – Limited Time Only

 

book-template-copy3-1Have you seen my cookbook yet? My cookbook is strongly influenced by the all mighty nut! This is so much more than “just a cookbook”! In this book, I teach you how to bake with almond flour, nut butters and so much more!

For a limited time only, Get a copy of my Gluten Free and Grain Free

Breads, Batters & Doughs for 50% OFF!

Use Coupon Code: BBD50

Offer expires 8/2/15 11:59 EST


 

Recipes

 

Almonds
  • 4 cups almonds – shop for quality nuts here
  • 1 tbsp unrefined sea salt – shop for unrefined salt here
  • filtered water (enough to cover nuts)

Soak overnight or a minimum of 7 hours

Dehydrate for 12-24 hours or until crisp

 

Macadamia Nuts
  • 4 cups raw macadamia nuts – shop for quality nuts here
  • 1 tbsp unrefined sea salt – shop for unrefined sea salt here
  • filtered water (enough to cover nuts)

Soak overnight or a minimum of 7 hours

Dehydrate for 12-24 hours or until crisp (do not use temperature above 150°F)

 

Cashews
  • 4 cups raw cashews – shop for quality nuts here
  • 1 tbsp unrefined sea salt – shop for unrefined sea salt here
  • filtered water (enough to cover nuts)

Soak overnight or a minimum of 7 hours

Dehydrate for 12-24 hours or until crisp (do not use temperature above 150°F)

 

Pecans & Walnuts
  • 4 cups raw pecans or walnuts – shop for quality nuts here
  • 2 tsp unrefined sea salt – shop for unrefined sea salt here
  • filtered water (enough to cover nuts)

Soak overnight or a minimum of 7 hours

Dehydrate for 12-24 hours or until crisp (do not use temperature above 150°F)

 

Pine Nuts & Hazelnuts
  • 4 cups pine nuts or hazelnuts – shop for quality nuts here
  • 1 tbsp unrefined sea salt – shop for unrefined sea salt here
  • filtered water (enough to cover nuts)

Soak overnight or a minimum of 7 hours

Dehydrate for 12-24 hours or until crisp (do not use temperature above 150°F)

 

Pumpkin seeds
  • 4 cups pumpkin seeds – shop for quality seeds here
  • 2 tbsp unrefined sea salt – shop for unrefined sea salt here
  • filtered water (enough to cover pumpkin seeds)

Soak overnight or a minimum of 7 hours

Dehydrate for 12 hours or overnight (do not use temperature above 150°F).

Click Here To Pin It!

 

Is It Necessary To Soak Nuts? | WholeLifestyleNutrition.com

Photo Credit: atsjebosma via Compfight cc


Halle Cottis/Whole Lifestyle Nutrition is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

« Whole Foods Wednesday Recipe Swap #5
Family Friendly Fridays ~ Finally A Healthy Organic “No Bake” Energy Bar Recipe! »

Comments

  1. hdtube says

    November 19, 2019 at 8:20 am

    While many traditional cultures naturally soaked or sprouted seeds, this step is hardly ever taken with large scale production since it is time consuming. It is, however, simple and inexpensive to do at home and can greatly increase the nutrient content of the seeds and nuts you consume.

  2. Reg Maive says

    November 27, 2019 at 1:33 am

    yes ok but the downside is whicheverway you like at it they lose some taste or texture after soaking and they don’t taste as good. Even after being left to dry or being dried in a frying pan they’re just not as delicious. Well folks it’s the price you pay for cleanliness and hygiene

  3. northgork says

    December 31, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    Your soaking times are incorrect.

  4. Christy says

    February 5, 2020 at 11:40 pm

    This is all new to me and After many attempts to make a latte with out cows milk and enjoy it like Starbucks, which I have given up due to the cost and sugar, I wanted to try making this nut cream. I followed the directions but only had 7 to 8 hours to soak the almonds. could this be why it only yielded 12 oz cream? Hardly any liquid soaked through my nut cloth until I spent quite a while (and a lot of effort) squeezing out the liquid. I would more than likely use 6 ounces to make a latte therefore this is a lot of work for only two lattes. Maybe my mixture was too thick? I followed the directions using one cup of raw almonds. I used a total of 2 cups of water when I blended them. Are used three dates because I love sweetness. I want to be able to do this on a regular basis but this was extremely time consuming and a lot of effort. I haven’t even tried it in my latte yet as I will be making it in the morning before heading out on a trip. Hoping that it is delicious! My normal routine is to pick up a Starbucks when I’m traveling. It’s a hard habit to break!

  5. SE says

    February 26, 2020 at 4:13 pm

    Thanks for the information.
    How about pistachio nuts?
    Do I shell them before drying?
    Recipe?

  6. Dr V. Tzvetanov says

    May 7, 2020 at 7:07 am

    There several scientific researches on the topic. Last one, from 2017, published in European Journal for Nutrition clearly and undoubtedly confirming that there is NO NEED to soak nuts. The effects, stated in the post, do not exist. Please always check for scientific researches prior recommending to people proper nutrition.

  7. Kristin Baker says

    August 4, 2020 at 12:29 pm

    Do you have to soak and dehydrate nuts that don’t claim to be raw? I currently use Kirkland’s organic walnuts that I buy off of Amazon.

    Also, I use them for making oatmeal in my pressure cooker. If they’re being heated like this is the soaking and dehydrating still necessary?

  8. Isolde Bernardi says

    November 20, 2020 at 5:15 am

    Personally, I like this step simply because the seeds and nuts taste so much better once they are soaked and it makes the nutrients more available. If you consume a lot of nuts or seeds, this process may be especially helpful to you, as the higher levels of enzyme inhibitors may be more problematic. Soaking and dehydrating organic raw nuts and seeds also creates an end result similar to roasted nuts, but without the added vegetable oils or high temperature roasting that can damage the nutrients and enzymes in these foods.

  9. Mac says

    June 2, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    Does a small dehydrator like the Nesco American Harvest Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator actually dry nuts faster than a larger model, like the Cosori?
    Thanks.

  10. nana says

    August 24, 2021 at 5:24 pm

    I’ve been soaking almonds for years and was under the impression that it becomes more like a vegetable, so I told myself than the 1 oz/day limit on nut consumption did not apply. Not that I ate necessarily more (and I don’t eat nuts daily) but sometimes I did. What do you think? Does the 1oz rule apply whether soaked or dry? Thanks!

« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

small head shotWelcome! I'm Halle Cottis.

I'm on a mission to liberate women who are not living true to themselves to walk into life being EXACTLY who they were meant to be. I believe that women should put themselves first. When you choose yourself today, amazing things can happen.  I'm glad you're here! ❤Learn More →

Women’s Startup Academy

Subscribe Today

Subscribe To The Limitless Freedom Method Newsletter

* indicates required

Grab Natural Solutions for Cleaning & Wellness!

natural-solutions-book-copy-2

Trending Posts

Naturally Set Boundaries By Being Yourself | WholeLifestyleNutrition.com

Principle #9 – How To Naturally Create Boundaries By Unapologetically Being Yourself

How To Create Harmony and Communicate Your Vision With Others

Principle #8 – How To Create Harmony And Communicate Your Vision With Others

To Create A Life Around What You Want

Principle #7 – How To Create A Life Around What You Want

Principle #6 – How To Ask For What You Want

How To Pinpoint What You Want | WholeLifestyleNutrition.com

Principle #5 – How To Pinpoint What You Want

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Copyright © 2025 · Whole Lifestyle Nutrition

Copyright © 2025 · Whole Lifestyle Nutrition on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in