Macadamia nuts are the most buttery, most expensive, and most nutritionally distinctive nut in the category. They come from a single species of evergreen tree native to Australia, now grown commercially in Hawaii, Australia, and South Africa. Macadamias have the highest monounsaturated fat content of any tree nut and the lowest net carb count, which is why they have become the default keto-friendly nut over the past decade. Nut Cravings ships whole raw macadamia nuts in 2-pound resealable bags, shelled and unsalted, packed fresh in Monroe, NY. kosher certified.
What Makes Macadamia Nuts Different
Macadamias stand out from other nuts on three measurable fronts.
Fat composition. About 75% of the fat in a macadamia nut is monounsaturated, specifically oleic acid (the same fat family as olive oil). That's the highest monounsaturated percentage of any nut. For anyone following a Mediterranean-style, heart-healthy, or keto eating pattern, this matters.
Carb profile. Macadamias have the lowest net carb content among all tree nuts, roughly 1.5 grams net carbs per ounce. That's why keto dieters lean on them specifically when most nuts are too carb-heavy for strict macro targets.
Texture and flavor. The buttery, almost silky texture is unlike any other nut. When people first eat a quality macadamia, the common reaction is that it tastes richer than they expected. That's the high oleic acid content coming through on the tongue.
Price point. They're the most expensive mainstream nut for a reason. Macadamia trees take 7 to 10 years to produce a full harvest, shells are among the hardest in the nut category (requiring specialized cracking equipment), and production is concentrated in just a few growing regions globally. That supply structure keeps prices higher than almonds, cashews, or pecans.
Macadamia Nut Varieties Available
The collection focuses on the format that covers most use cases.
Raw macadamia nuts, whole, unsalted. Shelled whole kernels, no salt, no oil, no processing beyond shelling. These are the workhorse format because they work for every use case: straight snacking, baking, crusting, grinding into butter, chopping into salads, or toasting for deeper flavor. Our 2-pound resealable bag is the standard retail format. Browse the raw whole macadamia nut product page for full details.
For alternative nut varieties in the keto-friendly range, see pecans , Brazil nuts and walnuts. For mixed assortments that include macadamias, browse mixed nuts and bar mix.
Macadamia Nut Nutrition
A one-ounce serving (about 10 to 12 whole macadamia nuts) provides:
- 204 calories
- 2 grams of protein
- 21 grams of fat (75% monounsaturated, mostly oleic acid)
- 2 grams of fiber
- 1.5 grams net carbs (3.9 grams total carbs minus 2.4 grams fiber)
- 58% DV manganese
- 23% DV thiamin (vitamin B1)
- 9% DV magnesium
- 11% DV copper
- Small amounts of iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins
The standout nutrients are manganese (over half the daily requirement in one serving) and thiamin. Manganese is involved in bone formation, blood clotting, and antioxidant function. Thiamin plays a role in energy metabolism and nervous system function.
On fat content: macadamias are the highest-calorie nut per ounce because they're 75% fat by weight. The fat profile is exceptional (heart-supportive monounsaturated), but portion control matters for anyone tracking calories. A 10-nut serving is the typical guideline.
This is general nutritional information. For specific dietary guidance, consult a registered dietitian.
Who Eats Macadamia Nuts
Keto and low-carb eaters. The lowest-carb, highest-fat nut in the entire tree nut category. If you only buy one nut on keto, it's macadamias. Roughly 1.5 grams net carbs per ounce makes them a rare "unlimited" nut within strict macro targets.
Mediterranean and whole-food diets. The oleic acid content (same fat family as olive oil) fits the core fat profile the Mediterranean diet is built around. Many studies linking nut consumption to heart health outcomes include macadamias specifically.
Paleo and primal eaters. Macadamias are one of the nuts that fit strict paleo dietary guidelines. Shelled, unprocessed, single-ingredient.
Athletes on fat-adapted nutrition. Endurance athletes following LCHF or fat-adapted training patterns use macadamias as a portable, calorie-dense fuel source that doesn't spike blood sugar.
Dessert and baking applications. The buttery flavor pairs especially well with white chocolate (the iconic white chocolate macadamia cookie), dark chocolate, caramel, and coconut-forward desserts. Crushed macadamias also work as a high-fat crust for salmon, halibut, or mahi-mahi.
How to Use Macadamia Nuts
Straight snacking. Ten to twelve whole nuts is a standard serving.
Toasted. Heat raw macadamias in a dry skillet or 325°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly golden. Better flavor than raw, especially for salads and toppings.
Baking. White chocolate macadamia cookies, macadamia shortbread, banana bread with macadamia chunks, macadamia brittle, macadamia-crusted tarts.
Fish crust. Chop or pulse macadamias in a food processor, press onto fish fillets with a light egg wash, and bake. Especially good on mahi-mahi, halibut, and salmon.
Macadamia butter. Blend roasted macadamias in a food processor for 5 to 8 minutes until smooth. Creamier than almond butter, richer than cashew butter, more expensive but worth it for specialty applications.
Pesto and sauces. Macadamias replace pine nuts in pesto at a 1:1 ratio, producing a richer, creamier sauce.
Macadamia milk. Soak raw macadamias overnight, blend with water, strain. The creamiest plant-based milk by a significant margin, especially good in coffee.
How to Store Macadamia Nuts
Macadamias have high oil content (21 grams of fat per ounce), which means storage matters. Handled right, they stay fresh for months. Handled wrong, they go rancid quickly.
- Pantry, sealed in resealable bag: 3 to 4 months for raw.
- Refrigerator, sealed: up to 9 months.
- Freezer, airtight container: up to 12 months without quality loss.
Signs macadamias have gone rancid: sharp, paint-like, or soapy smell on opening the bag. Fresh macadamias should smell mildly buttery, sweet, and nutty. Any off-smell means discard.
Why Macadamia Nuts Are Expensive
Worth addressing directly because "macadamia nuts price" and "how much are macadamia nuts" show up in search volume for this category.
Macadamia pricing reflects three supply-side realities. First, macadamia trees take 7 to 10 years from planting to full commercial harvest. Most nut trees take 3 to 5. That long runway limits how quickly supply can respond to demand. Second, the shell is the hardest in the nut category and requires specialized cracking equipment, which adds processing cost. Third, global production is concentrated in Australia, South Africa, and Hawaii, with weather and harvest labor variability affecting year-to-year supply. Macadamias do not behave like almonds or peanuts on pricing. They stay in a relatively stable premium band regardless of "sale" season.
Our 2-pound bulk format delivers the best per-ounce pricing in our catalog. For smaller-quantity trials or gift formats that include macadamias, browse gift boxes and nut gift trays.
Bulk and Wholesale Macadamia Nuts
For restaurant supply, bakery sourcing, specialty retail, or wholesale bulk orders, our 2-pound resealable bags are the retail bulk format. For larger volume requirements or recurring wholesale orders, reach the team through the corporate inquiries page.
Macadamia Nut FAQs
Q What's the correct spelling: macadamia or macademia?
Macadamia is the correct spelling. "Macademia" is a common misspelling that still routes to the right product most of the time.
Q Are macadamia nuts keto?
Yes. Macadamias are the most keto-friendly nut in the category, with about 1.5 grams net carbs per ounce. The highest fat-to-carb ratio of any tree nut.
Q Why are macadamia nuts so expensive?
Trees take 7 to 10 years to fully produce, shells require specialized cracking equipment, and global supply is concentrated in a few regions. Supply constraints keep pricing higher than almonds or cashews.
Q Are Nut Cravings macadamia nuts kosher?
Yes. Our raw macadamia nuts are kosher certified.
Q Can you eat raw macadamia nuts?
Yes. Raw macadamias are safe to eat directly out of the bag. Toasting improves flavor but is not necessary for safety.
Q How many macadamia nuts should I eat per day?
A one-ounce serving (about 10 to 12 whole nuts) covers a typical daily portion. More is fine, but macadamias are calorie-dense (204 calories per ounce).
Q Do macadamia nuts go bad?
Yes. High oil content means they can go rancid. Store sealed pantry 3 to 4 months, refrigerated up to 9 months, or frozen up to 12 months.
Browse the full macadamia nut collection above, or visit the Nut Cravings homepage for other nut varieties.
