The Leftover Snack Dust You Might Be Overlooking For A Flavor Boost

Cooking is more of an art form than a lot of people give it credit for. Along with using the proper techniques to ensure the final product is actually edible, chefs must also employ creative thinking to produce dishes unlike any other. This creativity also comes in handy when it comes to making the most out of what you already have in the kitchen. If you're a home cook who likes to experiment with flavors, you may have found yourself spending way too much money on expensive spices. Luckily, there's an easier way to give your dishes a unique taste. All you need is a bag of nuts.

The next time you polish off a bag of pistachios or a tin of almonds, don't throw it away immediately. Instead, hold onto the crumbs and dust that will be sitting on the bottom, as it is a great way to add some flavor to any dish. For example, you can sprinkle the dust left over from peanuts to pad Thai to enhance the nutty flavor. Nuts that have had flavors added to them are an especially tasty option for this hack, like adding barbecue-flavored cashew dust to mac and cheese for a smoky kick.

Savory dishes aren't the only things improved by sprinkling on some leftover snack dust. Sweet foods like ice cream can be made even better with a pinch of salt, and the crumbs left behind in your container of nuts are plenty salty. The same goes for treats like caramel, chocolate, and cookies. You can also add in some whole nuts for a satisfying crunch.

This trick isn't strictly for nuts; the crumbs leftover from different types of chips are also very versatile. You can create a truly sweet and salty dessert by adding crushed-up potato chips next to the peanut crumbs in your ice cream sundae, while a layer of potato chip crumbs on a sandwich will take it to a whole other level. And if you really want to put your crumbs to good use, you can use potato chips to make super crispy chicken tenders.

The possibilities of what you can do with leftover nut and chip dust are as endless as your imagination. Along with saving you money and reducing waste, using crumbs and dust to season your food will help you achieve one-of-a-kind dishes. When your friends ask you what your secret ingredient is, let them know that it's not crazy, it's just nuts!