How To Grind Walnuts Without A Grinder

You can grind walnuts without a grinder by using a few simple kitchen tools you probably already have at home. 

Maybe your food processor just died, or you don’t own a fancy grinder and you need ground walnuts right now. 

The good news is that grinding walnuts without a grinder is totally doable, and you don’t need any special equipment to get the job done. 

Whether you’re baking a walnut cake, making a crust, or thickening a sauce, learning how to grind walnuts without a grinder will save you time and stress. 

In this post, we’ll walk through the best methods to grind walnuts without a grinder, plus a few tips to keep your walnuts from turning into oily mush. 

Let’s dive in. 

Why You Can Grind Walnuts Without a Grinder

Learning to grind walnuts without a grinder works because walnuts are softer than most nuts. 

Unlike almonds or hazelnuts, walnuts have a delicate, crumbly texture that breaks apart easily. 

That means you can grind walnuts without a grinder by hand, using tools you already own. 

Here’s why it works so well. 

1. Walnuts Are Naturally Soft and Crumbly

Walnuts contain a lot of oil, but their flesh is tender and brittle. 

This softness means you don’t need the powerful blades of a grinder to break them down. 

A simple crushing motion is often enough to grind walnuts without a grinder into fine pieces. 

That’s why so many bakers grind walnuts by hand all the time. 

2. Walnuts Release Oil Easily

Because walnuts are oily, they break apart fast when you apply pressure. 

This oil is helpful when you grind walnuts without a grinder, but it can also work against you. 

Too much pressure turns walnuts into a paste instead of a powder. 

So the goal is gentle, steady force rather than aggressive smashing. 

3. You Already Have the Right Tools

To grind walnuts without a grinder, you really just need one of a few basic items. 

A rolling pin, a ziplock bag, a blender, or even a mortar and pestle can get the job done. 

Most kitchens have at least one of these, which is why grinding walnuts without a grinder is so convenient. 

Now let’s look at exactly how to do it. 

How to Grind Walnuts Without a Grinder

Here are the most reliable ways to grind walnuts without a grinder, ranked from easiest to a little more hands-on. 

1. The Rolling Pin and Ziplock Bag Method

This is the most popular way to grind walnuts without a grinder. 

Place your shelled walnuts in a sturdy ziplock bag and seal it tightly, pressing out the air. 

Lay the bag flat on a cutting board and roll over it with a rolling pin. 

Use short, firm strokes to grind walnuts without a grinder until they reach the texture you want. 

For finer pieces, roll more; for chunkier bits, roll less. 

2. The Blender or Food Processor Shortcut

If you have a blender, you can grind walnuts without a grinder using it on a low pulse setting. 

Add walnuts in small batches, and pulse a few times instead of running it continuously. 

This prevents the walnuts from turning into butter when you grind walnuts without a grinder this way. 

Scrape down the sides between pulses for even results. 

3. The Mortar and Pestle Technique

A mortar and pestle is a classic tool to grind walnuts without a grinder. 

Add a small handful of walnuts and press down while twisting the pestle. 

Work in batches so you grind walnuts without a grinder evenly and avoid mush. 

This method gives you the most control over texture. 

4. The Knife and Cutting Board Approach

If you’re in a pinch, you can grind walnuts without a grinder using just a chef’s knife. 

Pile the walnuts on a cutting board and rock your knife back and forth over them. 

Keep gathering the pieces and chopping until you grind walnuts without a grinder to your desired fineness. 

It takes a bit longer, but it works. 

Tips to Grind Walnuts Without a Grinder Perfectly

Getting the best results when you grind walnuts without a grinder comes down to a few small habits. 

1. Chill the Walnuts First

Cold walnuts are firmer, so they break cleanly instead of clumping. 

Pop them in the fridge for about 15 minutes before you grind walnuts without a grinder. 

2. Work in Small Batches

Overfilling your bag or blender is the fastest way to get uneven results. 

Small batches help you grind walnuts without a grinder consistently every time. 

3. Pulse, Don’t Blend

If you’re using a blender, short pulses are key. 

Continuous blending heats the walnuts and releases too much oil when you grind walnuts without a grinder. 

4. Toast After Grinding

Toasting your ground walnuts after you grind walnuts without a grinder boosts flavor. 

Spread them on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for a few minutes. 

So, Can You Grind Walnuts Without a Grinder?

You can absolutely grind walnuts without a grinder, and it’s easier than you might think. 

Walnuts are soft, oily, and crumbly, which is exactly why you can grind walnuts without a grinder using a rolling pin, a blender, a mortar and pestle, or even a knife. 

Just remember to chill them, work in small batches, and pulse gently so you don’t end up with walnut butter. 

Whether you’re baking, cooking, or prepping a topping, now you know how to grind walnuts without a grinder any time you need to.