Good taste, all summer. Five ways to enjoy macadamias all summer long.

Australian macadamias are made for summer snacking, sharing and celebrating. A snack tin of goodies for the beach. A colourful plate to nibble on. Something delicious to put out when friends arrive. 

Summer eating calls for fresh flavours and easy preparation, with a few little touches that make everyday food feel special. With their buttery flavour and satisfying crunch, Australian macadamias are a delicious place to start.

Native to Australia and proudly grown by Australian farmers, macadamias are just as at home paired with ripe mango as they are tossed through a fresh salad or transformed into a thoughtful homemade gift.  

Here are five creative ways to enjoy macadamias all summer long.

1. The little tin of good things

There’s something especially appealing about opening a snack tin filled with your favourite bites. It takes just a few minutes to pack, and makes a welcome companion for a road trip, beach afternoon, coffee time or quiet break in the garden.

Start with natural or roasted macadamias, then add contrasting flavours and textures. Think chewy dried fruit, crisp crackers or something a little sweet.

For a small snack tin, try one of these combinations:

• Tropical: 30g natural macadamias, two strips of dried mango ripped into bite-sized pieces and a tablespoon of coconut flakes.

• Savoury crunch: 30g roasted macadamias, a few seeded crackers and two tablespoons of roasted chickpeas.

• Sweet meets salty: 30g lightly salted macadamias, a tablespoon of dried sour cherries or cranberries and a few pieces of dark chocolate.

Cute little tins are going viral right now, watch these videos to get inspired. 

Packing tip: Choose the tropical or savoury combination for warm outings when chocolate might melt. 

2. The macadamia summer sharing platter

Some of the best summer eats are made for sharing, with a plate in the middle of the table and everyone helping themselves. 

The best sharing platters offer a little of everything: something creamy, something juicy, something crisp and a generous helping of crunch.

For a light grazing plate for four people, start with:

• 120g Australian macadamias, natural or roasted.

• 200g cheese, such as cheddar, brie or a combination.

• Two peaches or nectarines, sliced, or a couple of handfuls of cherries or grapes.

• One cucumber, cut into batons.

• Crackers or sliced sourdough.

• A small bowl of chutney or hummus.

Put the cheese and chutney on the board first, then arrange the fruit, vegetables and crackers around them. Serve the macadamias in a small bowl so they’re easy to scoop up and enjoy.

The pleasure is in finding your favourite bite-sized combination: cheddar, nectarine and a roasted macadamia, perhaps, or brie with a little chutney and buttery crunch.

Serving tip: Put out crackers in small batches and replenish as needed, so they stay crisp alongside juicy fruit.

3. Flavours of summer snacks

Macadamias have a mellow richness that works beautifully with the sweetness and acidity of summer fruit. A few well-chosen ingredients can become breakfast, an afternoon snack or an easy dessert.

Mango, lime and macadamias

Slice a ripe mango onto a plate, squeeze over a little lime juice and finish with roughly chopped natural macadamias. Add thick yoghurt if you’re making breakfast.

Peaches, yoghurt and roasted macadamias

Spoon yoghurt into shallow bowls, top with sliced peaches and scatter with roasted macadamias. A little honey brings it together if the fruit needs extra sweetness.

Watermelon, feta, mint and macadamias

Cut watermelon into bite-sized pieces and arrange on a platter. Add crumbled feta, torn mint and chopped roasted macadamias just before serving. It’s an easy side for a barbecue.

Cherries, dark chocolate and macadamias

For a dessert that needs no cooking, put out a bowl of chilled cherries, a plate of dark chocolate pieces and a small dish of macadamias. Let everyone choose their own combination.

Try something different: Grill peach or mango halves until lightly charred, then serve with vanilla ice cream and chopped macadamias. The warm fruit and cool ice cream make a lovely contrast.

Go the extra mile with this recipe: chargrilled mango cheeks with macadamia, coconut & ginger sauce.

4. Friends coming over? Just add macadamias

A few finishing touches can turn everyday ingredients into something you’re pleased to put on the table. Keep roasted macadamias on hand and you’re partway there.

Give a bought dip a fresh finish

Spoon a 200g tub of hummus or your favourite dip onto a shallow plate and swirl it with the back of a spoon. Top with two tablespoons of chopped roasted macadamias, chopped parsley, a little lemon zest and a drizzle of olive oil.

Serve with warm flatbread and cucumber sticks. The macadamias add crunch to every creamy scoop.

Make a crunchy salad topper

Roughly chop half a cup of roasted macadamias and toss with two tablespoons of chopped parsley and the finely grated zest of half a lemon.

Scatter over a tomato salad, grilled zucchini or roasted vegetables just before serving. It also makes a delicious finish for grilled fish.

Put out a warm bowl to share

Gently warm roasted macadamias in a dry frying pan over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and toss with a little olive oil, finely chopped rosemary and sea salt. Add chilli flakes if you like some heat.

Serve warm while everyone settles in.

Assemble a five-minute dessert

Scoop vanilla ice cream into small glasses or bowls. Add sliced mango, passionfruit pulp and chopped roasted macadamias.

For an even easier shared dessert, bring the ingredients to the table and let guests build their own.

Make ahead: Chop the macadamias and prepare your garnishes before guests arrive. Keep them separate and add the crunchy finishing touches at serving time.

5. Good taste, wrapped up

A homemade macadamia gift can be simple, thoughtful and very welcome. Choose one recipe, make a batch and divide it into small packages for friends, neighbours or your Christmas host.

Honey-roasted macadamias suit those who love a sweet and salty snack. Candied macadamias make a festive treat, while rosemary and sea salt is a delicious savoury option.

For chocolate lovers, make macadamia bark: spread melted chocolate onto a tray lined with baking paper, scatter with roasted macadamias and coconut flakes, then refrigerate until set. Break into uneven pieces for packing.

Use clean, dry food-safe jars or bags, and let roasted mixtures cool completely before sealing. Add a label with the flavour, ingredients, date made and storage instructions from your chosen recipe.

A ribbon and handwritten note are all the decoration you need.

A gift that keeps giving: Fill a reusable snack tin with your homemade macadamias, ready for its next summer outing.

From the first snack packed for a holiday to the last handful shared around the table, there are plenty of ways to make Australian macadamias part of your summer.

Good taste. Ready to share.