Rich and creamy, yet earthy and bittersweet, walnuts lend a depth of flavour to so many sweet and savoury dishes, from vibrant salads and sides to dips and beautiful bakes. Explore our creative walnut recipes and browse our baking recipes for lots more inspiration.
Try out this heart-healthy risotto recipe made with nutty pearl barley, aubergine, cherry tomatoes, and walnuts. It makes the most of storecupboard staples, so is not only low in saturated fat but low in price, too.
Whatever the occasion, this carrot cake recipe is sure to impress. With warming cinnamon, crunchy walnuts and velvety cream cheese frosting, it's a real winner.
This nut brittle uses just three ingredients and makes a lovely food gift at Christmas or any time of year. Alternatively, make a batch as a fab festive snack – it keeps for two weeks, if it doesn't disappear before!
This speedy vegan stir-fry recipe is packed with soya beans, peppers and mushrooms for a colourful and nutritious dinner.
"I chose this recipe because ghriba is simply the most iconic cookie," says Nargisse Benkabbou
Mellow pear, creamy Stilton and sweet candied walnuts are a flavour sensation when paired together in this delicious bruschetta recipe. It makes for an easy Christmas Day starter or appetizer.
A delicious spin on stuffed peppers, sweet red onions are loaded with hearty bulgur, nutty celeriac, fragrant kale and creamy Stilton in this delicious dinner for two
A substantial mushroom and rice soup for winter nights, with softnened garlic, onion and thyme. It is accompanied by slices of warm crusty baguette, oozing with melted Stilton and walnuts, straight from the grill.
This sprout and walnut pastry is a great vegetarian Christmas dinner idea or Boxing Day main. Any soft melting cheese will work here - why not try Camembert for extra festive flavours?
An indulgent starter idea to add to your staple of dinner party ideas. Making these tartlets is also a great way of using up any leftover Stilton. The earthy walnuts are the perfect topping to the strong flavours of Stilton and watercress.
Christmas equals parties with prosecco and hot canapés, and these Stilton and walnut puffs are just the ticket. Simply cut circles into ready-made puff pastry and spoon over Stilton mashed with cream cheese. Fold into half moons, top with walnut pieces and bake until golden.
Roasted squash and grapes add warmth to this winter salad that's packed with flavour and crunch.
This beautiful bake features Tendersweet carrots, a variety grown in the Scottish Highlands with a distinctively sweet flavour, but you could use regular carrots if that's what you have to hand. Inspired by classic carrot cake and using olive oil for a moist texture and fragrant flavour, these muffins are a special teatime treat. Don't forget the luscious cream cheese frosting!
Blitz up this easy-prep dip for an impressive addition to your Christmas party food table. With a garlicky, whipped cheese base and a crunchy, salty-sweet walnut topping, it packs a flavour and texture punch!
Food writer Angela Romeo brings her dessert expertise to this seasonal sweet treat, one of her go-to Christmas bakes. She says, ‘This Tuscan favourite, packed with nuts and fragrant with spices and sherry, is suitably indulgent for the festive season. Serve visitors a slice with a short coffee or glass of sherry.’
For a veggie starter on Christmas Day, try these simple chestnut-stuffed mushrooms. With a herby chestnut stuffing and crisp, nutty garlic breadcrumb topping, these are a great fuss-free way to start the festivities.
Make something different this Christmas with cookery writer and food blogger, Zuza Zak's Makowiec – a Polish and Slavic poppy seed cake. Zuza says: "Makowiec is a much-loved cake because you can play around with the filling – some add candied orange peel, others chopped dried apricots. I’ve gone for a simple version – the filling is smooth and easy to work with."
Layers of tender ham hock, creamy sprouts, and sweet shallots come together in this festive pithivier that’s as elegant as it is comforting. A pinch of nutmeg adds warmth, while the easy-to-make filling transforms Christmas leftovers into a delicious centrepiece.
Tabbouleh is a wonderfully flavoursome and fragrant sharing dish for summer feasts, but is delicious enjoyed all year round. This autumnal twist features sweet Cox apples and earthy kale. Keep it in the fridge for a wholesome lunch or serve it as part of a get-together meal.
Lightly charred cabbage meets buttery walnut gremolata in this vibrant roast cabbage recipe – the perfect vegetarian main for your Christmas dinner table.
Serve up sticky maple glazed bacon-wrapped dates for a crowd-pleasing canapé. The irresistible combination of sweet sticky dates, crispy glazed bacon and a herby walnut filling ensure that these will disappear in no time.
Take your guests senses to new heights with these creamy, smoky, crunchy, toasty delights.
Use seasonal red cabbage, beetroot and pear to make this zingy winter salad. Top with a homemade herby chimichurri dressing and enjoy throughout the festive period.
This bejewelled rice is fragrant with cinnamon and nutmeg and has added crunch from crispy Brussels sprouts. This is a great vegan and gluten-free option for your Boxing Day celebrations.
With sweet dates and earthy walnuts, this soda bread is delicious in its own right, but the addition of salted honey elevates it to something special. Serve with soups, stews or alongside a starter or cheeseboard.
A spin on the classic Christmas side, this fragrant stuffing swaps in red onions for sweetness and incorporates the luxurious crunch of toasted walnuts and a hint of lemon zest to brighten the traditional flavours.
Use chopped walnuts and pecans to make this simple nut roast - perfect for a Christmas dinner main! Cook in the air-fryer to get it nice and crispy and top with cranberry sauce and thyme for big festive flavours.
Say hello to your new favourite vegan centrepiece, packed full of fruit, veggies, nuts and spices, this will entice even the most stubborn of meat-eaters
Here's a special banana pancake recipe! With warm spices and interesting textures, plus plenty of tangy berries, it certainly packs in the plant points and is a source of vitamin B12, which helps with energy levels. Nutritious but also indulgent-tasting, this makes a lovely weekend breakfast or brunch.
This vibrant, textured salad is the perfect starter to kick off your Christmas dinner. Sweet, earthy beetroot in a fragrant herb crust paired with the crunchy walnuts and creamy goat's cheese – a classic Christmas starter that's sure to get good results
If you're looking for a simple Christmas starter to serve this year, try this colourful roasted squash salad. With roasted tomatoes, fresh spinach and a festive pomegranate dressing, this vegan and gluten-free starter can kick off your Christmas dinner for everyone.
This easy air-fryer brie is a must-try for entertaining. Top the cheese with fruity chutney for a gorgeous caramelised glaze and walnut pieces for extra crunch, then dip in! Cooking for a crowd? Simple double the recipe and cook both at the same time.
Take baked brie to the next level with a golden brûlée top using brown sugar. Serve this cheesy platter up at your next Christmas party with crunchy crudités.