10 Tasty Recipes That Use Acorns (2024)

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10 Tasty Recipes That Use Acorns (1)

Did you know that you might have a bountiful and nutritious food source right at your feet this fall? Acorns are much more than something to rake up with your leaves and deposit into your compost pile.

With a little preparation and know-how, you can eat them as you would other nuts, you can use them to make oil, and you can grind them into flour to make a variety of foods.

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For many centuries, cultures from Asia, Europe, and the Americas have gathered and consumed acorns. They are the seeds of oak trees, and acorn varieties are readily available throughout much of the world. As you might expect, different types of oak trees produce different kinds of acorns.

Acorns contain healthy fats, carbohydrates, and protein. They also contain essential amino acids, trace minerals, and Vitamins A and C. Nutritional levels can vary from species to species and so can their level of tannins.

Tannins are what give raw acorns their bitter taste. However, it is possible to remove or greatly reduce the tannin level in acorns through a simple leaching process.

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Shelling and Leaching

The first step to removing the tannins is to gather only ripe, brown acorns. Avoid acorns that appear green or black or show signs of mildew or rotting.

Next, remove the caps and boil the acorns for ten minutes. Strain out the resulting brown water and boil the acorns once again in fresh water. Repeat this process several times until the water looks clear. Then you can shell the acorns.

Another tannin removal method is a flushing procedure that was used by Native Americans in streams and rivers. Remove the caps before placing acorns inside a mesh bag. Then, place the bag under running water for several hours. Frequently remove any water from the bag and continue this rinsing process about four times or so until the water is clear.

After leaching, dry the acorn pieces in single layers on cookie sheets out in the sun (be sure to protect them from animals!) or in a 200-degree oven. You could also use a dehydrator on the low setting.

To make acorn flour, grind your leached acorns in a blender or food processor. Next, dry this meal in a warm oven for a few minutes, or let it air dry for two to three hours. Then grind the meal in the blender or food processor again.

Now you can use your acorn flour in many different recipes. Keep in mind that acorn flour does not contain gluten so it does not bind in the same way as regular flour (wheat, rice, corn or oat). In most acorn baking recipes, you will use half acorn flour and half regular flour so that your food product will hold together well.

To help get you started, here are ten recipes that use acorns.

1. Acorn Bread

10 Tasty Recipes That Use Acorns (2)

This recipe is for a sweet and tasty bread that is not too crumbly. It is a perfect addition to a fall brunch or a Thanksgiving-time treat. Here’s a great acorn bread recipe.

2. Acorn Cookies

10 Tasty Recipes That Use Acorns (3)

Cookies are one of the few goods you can bake with all acorn flour. These crumbly but delicious cookies combine the nutty, sweet taste of acorns with the warm and spicy taste of ginger. Here’s my favorite acorn cookie recipe.

3. Acorn Cake

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This delicious and attractive Bundt cake recipe uses acorn flour as well as cinnamon, apple sauce, and coconut oil. Here’s a delicious acorn cake recipe.

4. Acorn Porridge

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Flavorful and satisfying on a cool morning, this porridge recipe that incorporates the distinctive taste of acorns. Here’s an acorn porridge recipe.

5. Acorn Pancakes

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These pancakes practically scream “autumn.” These pancakes will appear a bit darker than what they are used to, but they taste yummy. Here’s a tasty acorn pancakes recipe.

6. Acorn Burgers

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If are a vegetarian or have a vegetarian in your family, you may be interested in this burger substitute. You guessed it; it uses acorns! Here’s the best acorn burger recipe.

7. Acorn Tortillas

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You can substitute acorn meal for cornmeal in tortillas using this recipe. Here’s the acorn tortillas recipe, and here is a video that shows how to do it.

8. Acorn Soup

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The taste of acorns and the flavors of porcini mushrooms combine well in this smooth-tasting soup. Add a spoonful of sour cream or creme fraiche on top, serve and enjoy. Here’s a yummy acorn soup recipe.

9. Acorn Brittle

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This recipe is very similar to the standard recipe for peanut brittle; you just use acorns instead of peanuts! Here’s the recipe.

10. Acorn Coffee

To make acorn “coffee,” first peel some ripe, blanched acorns. Then, divide the kernels and place them in an ovenproof dish. Cover the dish and roast the acorns in your oven on low heat. Stir them frequently. When they have roasted, grind the acorns and use them combined with your regular coffee or on their own.

More Ideas

Acorns add a nutty, slightly sweet taste to many dishes and beverages. Some Korean noodle dishes are made of acorn starch, and it is common for Asian grocery markets to sell packaged acorn starch.

Other ways to use blanched acorns in your cooking include:

  • Substituting them in recipes that use chickpeas, peanuts or macadamia nuts.
  • Sprinkling roasted acorn pieces on a garden salad.
  • Making acorn butter instead of peanut or almond butter.
  • Adding acorns to stews as you would add potatoes or beans.

Dried acorns can be stored for up to a year. Acorn flour will keep for several months when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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You May Also Like:

  • Acorns: How To Harvest, Process, and Eat Them
  • How to Cook with Wild Edibles
  • 8 Foods You Can Grind Into Flour (And How)
  • 6 Wild Edibles You Can Forage In The Middle Of Winter
  • Grandma’s Pancake Recipe: The Best Pancakes EVER!

10 Tasty Recipes That Use Acorns (2024)

FAQs

What can I make with acorns? ›

Acorns can be ground to make flour for bread, pancakes, pastries, cookies and even pasta. If you plan to do this, it's best to leach with cold water to preserve the starch and help the dough hold together better. If you're going to keep your acorns whole, or at least chunky, you can leach them with boiling water.

What can I use acorns for? ›

Ground acorns can be used in place of nuts in recipes such as cookies and brownies. You can also use it in place of cornmeal in many recipes.

What can I do with all my acorns? ›

What to Do With Acorns in Your Yard
  1. Use them for arts and crafts and holiday decorations.
  2. Use them to grow an oak tree.
  3. Use them in animal feeders.
  4. Donate them to zoos and wildlife preserves.
Jun 14, 2023

Can humans eat acorns raw? ›

Raw acorns are considered unsafe due to their tannins, which are toxic if consumed in high amounts. However, you can remove the tannins by boiling or soaking. Properly prepared acorns are perfectly edible and full of nutrients like iron and manganese. Delicious roasted, they can also be ground into flour.

Can you cook anything with acorns? ›

Acorn Recipe Ideas. Mix up cooked acorns with raisins or other dried fruit to make a trail mix. Substitute acorns for chestnuts in baking recipes. Use acorn flour in bread, cake, pancakes, and more!

How long do you have to boil acorns to make them edible? ›

You'll want to leach your acorns to draw out the tannins. Bring two large stockpots to a boil. Pour the acorns into one pot and let it boil until the water turns dark, usually about 15 minutes. Carefully transfer the acorns to the second pot of boiling water and boil the nuts for about 15 minutes.

Can you make anything out of acorns? ›

Acorn Soup

A luxurious smooth soup made with acorns, dried porcini and brandy, garnished with sour cream and a few slices of grouse or chicken.

Are acorns worth keeping? ›

Is Acorns Worth it? Acorns charges monthly membership fees, starting at $3 per month. Even though it is a very easy way to get started investing, if you don't make enough purchases each month to round up and set aside enough money, the monthly fee could outweigh the benefit.

Is it okay to leave acorns on grass? ›

Keeping acorns picked up and off lawns is good garden and yard maintenance. A heavy acorn crop can damage a lawn by smothering tender leaf blades under the nut. Acorns allowed to lay on grass for extended periods of time can kill grass and if left to lie in the garden turns the garden into an oak nursery.

Why did humans stop eating acorns? ›

A lost tradition shared across the world since Stone Age

Humans can't eat raw acorns, or at least they can't do that pleasantly and in big amounts: they contain tannins, which give the fruit an unpleasant bitter taste and make it toxic.

Do cooked acorns taste good? ›

Raw acorns are very bitter and gritty and must be processed prior to eating. Acorns that are leached or roasted are nutty and sweet. For some people, the taste of leached acorns is similar to that of boiled potatoes. While many oak species give bitter-tasting acorns, some produce sweeter nuts like European white oaks.

What are the side effects of acorns? ›

Tannic acid causes ulcerations in the mouth, the oesophagus, and the rest of the intestines. It also damages the kidneys, and it is kidney failure which causes most of the death associated with acorn poisoning.

Is acorns worth putting money into? ›

Is Acorns Worth it? Acorns charges monthly membership fees, starting at $3 per month. Even though it is a very easy way to get started investing, if you don't make enough purchases each month to round up and set aside enough money, the monthly fee could outweigh the benefit.

Can you make any money with acorns? ›

Acorns has over 8 million customers and $3 billion in assets under management. The app lets its users make money and build wealth through long-term investing. You can also make free money with Acorns by shopping at 350+ Acorns Earn partners.

Is acorns safe to keep money in? ›

FDIC Protected Acorns Checking Account: Your deposits in your Acorns Checking account are insured up to $250,000 - that's because our banking partners, Lincoln Savings Bank and nbkc bank are both FDIC members. Security: Your peace of mind is our highest priority.

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