23 Incredible Chestnut Recipes

If you’re looking for seasonal recipes to prepare during the fall months, one of the main ingredients you should try to incorporate is the chestnut. 

Chestnuts are not only delicious when cooked correctly, but they’re plentiful in many areas of the US from September through November, which makes them a perfect autumnal cooking staple. 

23 Incredible Chestnut Recipes

For those who are looking for chestnut recipe inspiration, we’ve tried and tested so many chestnut dishes from online recipes and created a collection of our favorites.

These 23 chestnut recipes are wholesome, delicious, and extremely varied, so take a look at our top choices and pick your favorites!

1. Chestnut and Bacon Soup

Bacon is one of the best meats to pair with chestnuts, and chestnut soup is one of the most popular chestnut-based recipes.

So, if you’re looking for delicious chestnut recipes to try, why not start with this warming and velvety chestnut and bacon soup? It’s creamy, salty, yet still very nutritious!

2. Chestnut Rice

Rice is a popular side dish to serve with so many different meals, but if you want to elevate your sides this fall, swap out your usual rice dish for this chestnut rice instead (see also ‘33 Easy Fall Appetizers‘). 

This is actually an authentic Japanese recipe made with 2 types of rice, sake, chestnuts, salt, and water. That’s it! You can top the rice with sesame seeds if you like.

3. Chestnut and Chocolate Chip Cake

Chestnuts aren’t just good for wholesome fall-themed main courses – they’re also sweet enough to include in some amazing desserts, like this chestnut and chocolate chip cake!

For this cake, you’ll need to make (or buy) a sweetened chestnut puree and incorporate it into the batter so the entire cake is infused with the flavor. 

4. Roasted Chestnuts

Roasted chestnuts are so versatile! You can add them to so many different recipes or even enjoy them by themselves as a delicious snack. 

This recipe for roasted chestnuts is our favorite because it’s so easy, taking just over 30 minutes to prepare. The salt and butter really adds to the finished product. 

5. Chestnut Smoothie

Chestnut might not be the first ingredient that comes to mind when you think about smoothies, but this chestnut smoothie is just incredible. 

This creamy, naturally sweet smoothie contains just 4 ingredients: roasted (peeled) chestnuts, almond milk, frozen bananas, and vanilla yogurt. You could use a plant-based yogurt to make the recipe vegan.

6. Chestnut Cheesecake

One of our favorite desserts to make using chestnuts is chestnut cheesecake, and we almost always use this recipe because it produces the best results.

The base of the cheesecake is simply made from digestive biscuits and butter, and you’ll need gelatin sheets and cream cheese as well as chestnuts for the filling. The topping contains chestnuts, ginger, cardamom, and more.

7. Chestnut and Butternut Squash Risotto

Risotto is a great meal choice for cold fall weather, and we think that this chestnut and butternut squash risotto is one of the best out there.

In addition to the risotto rice and roasted chestnuts, you’ll be using parmesan cheese, butter, white onions, sherry, olive oil, and a few more ingredients to create the perfect risotto. 

8. Chestnut Truffles

Another dessert option involving chestnuts, these chestnut truffles are easy to make with only a few ingredients. 

You’ll need double cream, dark chocolate, cocoa nibs and chestnut puree. You will also need toasted hazelnuts and golden caster sugar for the brittle. 

9. Chestnut Cookies

If truffles or cheesecakes aren’t your thing, you can still use chestnuts to create delicious desserts like these chestnut cookies. 

These cookies are ideal for thanksgiving or even Christmas. They’re Italian-style fried cookies with an incredible chestnut filling that also includes coffee and chocolate. 

10. Vegan Chestnut Soup

We’ve already recommended a chestnut and bacon soup for you to try if you eat meat, but if you don’t, you may want to make this vegan chestnut soup instead. 

In addition to the chestnuts, you’ll be using carrots, celery, onions, parsley, and cloves to add more flavor and nutritional value. The creaminess of this soup recipe comes from unsweetened soy milk.

11. Chestnut Puree

A couple of the recipes we’ve suggested so far use chestnut puree as part of the process, but this sweetened chestnut puree is so delicious you can eat it unaccompanied as a dessert. 

You only need chestnuts, sugar, water, and vanilla extract to make this puree, so it’s quick and easy for all culinary skill levels. 

12. Chestnut and Mushroom Casserole

This vegan and gluten free chestnut and mushroom casserole is filling, warming, and so nutritious that it might be your next cold weather staple meal (find more vegan casserole recipes here)!

To make the casserole, you’ll need to make an allspice butternut squash puree as well as the casserole itself, which is made from wild mushrooms, shallots, cooked chestnuts, thyme, olive oil, coriander seeds, and balsamic vinegar.

13. Marrons Glaces

Marrons glaces, or candied chestnuts, is one of the most common uses for chestnuts in Europe, particularly Paris and Vienna. 

To try your hand at this trendy chestnut dessert, all you need are fresh chestnuts, sugar, and water.

14. Chestnut Nut Roast

Nut roast is a go-to vegetarian option for holidays like thanksgiving, so why not switch your usual recipe for this chestnut-based nut roast? In our opinion, it’s even tastier. 

This vegan nut roast contains butternut squash, sweet potatoes, chestnuts, coconut butter, and many more delicacies that will make this the best nut roast you’ve ever tried.

15. Roasted Pumpkin and Chestnut Soup

Our final soup recommendation for today is about as autumnal as it gets: roasted pumpkin and chestnut soup. 

This recipe calls for single cream for added richness, but it’s totally optional and if you choose to leave it out or replace it with a plant-based cream, this can be yet another vegan chestnut soup option for you to enjoy!

16. Chestnut Meringues

These chestnut meringues are the perfect balance between chewy and crispy and the meringues themselves only need 4 ingredients: eggs, cream of tartar, caster sugar, and vanilla extract. 

The topping contains chestnut puree, whipping cream, lemon juice, vanilla extract, marrons glaces, and white chocolate. 

17. Chestnut and Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts go so well with chestnuts that if you prepare the two ingredients together in the right way, the combination can work as an amazing side dish. 

Follow this recipe, which simply involves tossing the sprouts and chestnuts in butter over the stove, to try it for yourself!

18. Chestnut Brownies

These chestnut brownies are indulgent and fudgy, and they’re gluten free, which will be great news for many of our readers!

The topping, which is made from chocolate, whipping cream, chestnut puree, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt really makes these brownies stand out. 

19. Chocolate and Chestnut Mousse

A rich and creamy chestnut mousse is the perfect treat at the end of a meal during the fall, so try making this recipe using roasted chestnuts, whole milk, sugar, vanilla extract, chocolate, brandy, heavy cream, and salt. 

You can keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to a day if you want to make it early. 

20. Kale, Chestnut and Mushroom Pie

Who doesn’t love a delicious hot pie when the weather gets cold and rainy? This kale, chestnut and mushroom pie is one of our favorites.

The recipe calls for a block of pre-made all-butter puff pastry, so you don’t have to spend hours preparing the crust itself.

21. Chestnut Stuffing

Chestnut stuffing is a thanksgiving staple, so give it a go this November – or anytime you like!

The onion, garlic, thyme, marjoram, and poultry seasoning work perfectly together with the chestnuts. 

22. Roasted Chestnut and Beetroot Salad

If you feel like something light and easy to make, we recommend this recipe for a roasted chestnut and beetroot salad. 

We think the blue cheese, honey, and dijon mustard really take this salad to the next level. 

23. Italian Sausage and Chestnut Pasta

Did you know you can use chestnuts to make pasta? This restaurant-worthy pumpkin and chestnut pasta recipe is divine, serves 6, and only takes 40 minutes to make. 

The salty taste of the sausage with the sweetness from the chestnut is complemented beautifully by all the herbs like parsley and rosemary, plus the richness of the red wine. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Are Chestnuts Better Roasted or Boiled?

You can definitely boil chestnuts if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to soften them so they’re ready to eat.

However, if your goal is maximum flavor and the perfect texture, we always recommend roasting your chestnuts instead. 

Are Chestnuts Good for You? 

Chestnuts are great for you! They contain antioxidants which will help to reduce inflammation in your body while boosting your immune system.

They’re also rich in magnesium and potassium, both of which have been proven to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and strokes. 

What Pairs Well with Chestnuts?

Chestnuts are delicious by themselves, but they’re even better when paired with the right ingredients.

Mushrooms, pork (including bacon), sage, apples, carrots, cabbage, chocolate, and various dried fruits will pair beautifully with your chestnuts to create a delicious meal, as you can see exemplified in some of the recipes above. 

Final Thoughts 

Who said chestnuts were just for boiling and roasting? Scrolling through our top 23 chestnut recipes, it’s clear that you can do so much with chestnuts if you know how to cook them well. 

Try to buy chestnuts while they’re in season if you can, but chestnuts are easy to preserve, so you can find them in grocery stores year-round. This means you never have to go without your new favorite chestnut-based recipes! 

Thank you for reading and enjoy the recipes!

23 Incredible Chestnut Recipes

23 Incredible Chestnut Recipes

Recipe by Jenna

Looking for new and exciting ways to prepare chestnuts this fall? Check out these 23 amazing chestnut recipes, including sumptuous sides and desserts.

Course: Appetizers
5 from 1 vote
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