25 Must-Try Sweet and Savory Macadamia Nut Recipes (2024)

food

By Emma Singer

•

Published Apr 15, 2023

Macadamia is an under-appreciated member of the tree nut family, but our roundup of macadamia nut recipes proves it has favorite child potential. Read on to discover a whole host of dishes—including familiar desserts, funky salads, wholesome breakfasts and dump-and-go dinners—that feature this star ingredient.

RELATED

45 Peanut Butter Desserts That Will Have You Begging for Seconds

PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

1. Caramel-Chocolate Macadamia Tart

Time Commitment: 1 hour 50 minutes
Why We Love It: <500 calories, crowd-pleaser

Don’t be fooled by the fancy presentation—this macadamia tart couldn’t be easier to make and it tastes as good as it looks, too. (Even more so if you go all in with whipped cream and caramel sauce on top.)

Get the Recipe

JERRELLE GUY/BLACK GIRL BAKING

2. Macadamia, Brown Butter and Cashew Cookie Dough

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, dairy-free

This creamy, sweet cookie dough is egg and dairy-free, which means it’s entirely safe and acceptable to eat large quantities of it raw (and in an ice cream cone if you so choose).

Get the Recipe

MATTHEW SEPTIMUS/THE COOKIE BIBLE

3. Rose Levy Beranbaum’s Chocolate Phantoms

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients

These sweet, moist morsels pack a major macadamia punch—namely because they contain a whole lot of crunchy nuts and precious few other ingredients.

Get the Recipe

Jessica in the Kitchen

4. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Time Commitment: 2 hours 22 minutes
Why We Love It: <500 calories, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth and give Mrs. Fields a run for her money, this homemade cookie recipe—featuring the subtle taste and creamy texture of macadamia nuts, plus chunks of sugary white chocolate—fits the bill.

Get the Recipe

Minimalist Baker

5. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cheesecake

Time Commitment: 6 hours
Why We Love It: gluten-free, sugar free, vegan

This vegan twist on a classic owes its extra silky and creamy filling to soaked cashews, but it’s the macadamia-studded crust that really takes the (cheese)cake.

Get the Recipe

The Modern Proper

6. Macadamia Nut Crusted Fish Bowl

Time Commitment: 33 minutes
Why We Love It: dairy-free, gluten-free

Here, perfectly crisped, macadamia-crusted white fish gets drizzled with sweet chili mayo and served on a bed of coconut and ginger-scented rice and veggies…and we just found our new favorite lunch bowl.

Freelance PureWow Editor

Emma Singer is a freelance contributing editor and writer at PureWow who has over 7 years of professional proofreading, copyediting and writing experience. At PureWow, she covers...

read full bio

25 Must-Try Sweet and Savory Macadamia Nut Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Who should not eat macadamia nuts? ›

Allergies to peanuts and tree nuts: People with peanut allergies are more likely to be allergic to nuts called "tree nuts." Macadamia nut is a tree nut. People who are allergic to one tree nut are also more likely to have an allergy to at least one other tree nut.

Show Me More ›

Are macadamia nuts sweet or savoury? ›

While they're definitely delicious eaten raw and unflavoured, the creamy and slightly sweet taste of macadamia nuts makes them perfectly suited to your desserts.

View Details ›

Are macadamia nuts bad for cholesterol? ›

Macadamia nuts can lower your total and LDL cholesterol levels. One review of six studies found that macadamia nuts helped decrease the risk factors for cardiovascular disease by reducing cholesterol levels and helping with inflammation and oxidative stress (which causes damage to cells).

View Details ›

Are too many macadamia nuts bad for you? ›

Macadamia nuts are a nutritious food that can provide a number of health benefits, including promoting heart health. However, consuming too much macadamia nuts can lead to an increase in cholesterol levels in some people. Macadamia nuts are high in fat, with approximately 75% of their total calories coming from fat.

Get More Info Here ›

Are macadamia nuts bad for high blood pressure? ›

Macadamia nuts can also contribute to a healthy blood pressure. They contain the amino acid arginine, which acts as a precursor to the chemical messenger nitric oxide that causes blood vessels to dilate and remain elastic – a little like relaxing the arteries. This can reduce blood pressure among other benefits.

Discover More Details ›

Are macadamia nuts bad for inflammation? ›

Macadamia nuts are rich in antioxidants that fight harmful free radicals that can cause cell damage and increase the risk of diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's and heart disease (13), (14). Their high flavonoid levels further contribute to lowering inflammation and cholesterol levels (13).

Read On ›

Should you refrigerate macadamia nuts? ›

The healthy oils in macadamias can spoil if the nuts are not stored properly. They keep for up to three months in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, you may not know that they can also be frozen. Storing them in the freezer will keep them fresh for three to six months.

Know More ›

Are macadamia nuts healthier than cashews? ›

Macadamia nuts have more than double the amount of plant-based protein when compared to cashews, 7.5x more thiamin (energizing B vitamins) than almonds, double the amount of manganese (metabolism and brain boosting mineral) than almonds, more fiber and iron than walnuts.

What are the unhealthiest nuts? ›

Brazil nuts, cashews and macadamia nuts are higher in saturated fat. Too much of this can contribute to raised cholesterol levels, so only eat them occasionally. Chestnuts are an exception – they're lower in all types of fats and higher in starchy carbohydrate than other nuts.

Read On ›

How many macadamia nuts can I eat a day? ›

How many macadamias is it healthy to eat? A healthy handful of macadamias is about 30g or 15 whole nuts. We should all strive to eat at least one healthy handful per day. But there's no reason why you can't eat more.

Know More ›

Are macadamia nuts a laxative? ›

While macadamia nuts are high in dietary fiber, which is generally beneficial for digestion, consuming them in large quantities may cause constipation for some individuals, especially if they are not adequately hydrated.

Read On ›

What is the toxin in macadamia nuts? ›

The toxic component within the nut is unknown, but the margin of safety following ingestion is small with just a few nuts leading to intoxication in a small to medium sized dog. Currently, macadamia nut poisoning is not recognized in other species beyond the dog.

Know More ›

Why you shouldn't eat nuts everyday? ›

Because they are such a nutrient- and calorie-dense food, portion control is essential to avoid excess weight gain. More importantly, eating too many nuts can actually lead to food toxicity which can range from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Keep Reading ›

Can macadamia nuts cause digestive issues? ›

Excessive consumption of any high-fiber food, including macadamia nuts, without adequate fluid intake can potentially lead to constipation. Fiber absorbs water in the digestive tract, and without enough fluids, it can contribute to hardened stools and difficulties in passing them.

Show Me More ›

What are the best nuts to avoid? ›

Brazil nuts, cashews and macadamia nuts are higher in saturated fat. Too much of this can contribute to raised cholesterol levels, so only eat them occasionally.