Air fryer Chestnuts recipe. Cooking Chestnuts in the air fryer is a speedy way to achieve roasted chestnuts. The process is easy, quick, and more energy-efficient than cooking in the oven. Delicious Christmas treat to share with friends and family.
About Roasted Chestnuts
Roasted Chestnuts are synonymous with Christmas markets for me. Every year I try and visit Christmas markets in Europe to enjoy the holiday spirits and good local food and drinks. And I never miss buying a bag of charcoal-roasted chestnuts in brown bags.
The warm roasted chestnuts taste sweet and buttery, a bit like sweet potatoes, and are so addictive. Every year I make a few batches of these roasted chestnuts in the air fryer to snack on while watching Christmas movies.
They only take about 20 – 25 minutes in total of which the cooking time is about 6-12 minutes only. I have made these roasted chestnuts in my Instant Pot Vortex 6 in 1 as well as Instant Pot Vortex plus Versazone.
Soak the Chestnuts ( Optional)
SOAK the chestnuts in hot water for at least 10-15 minutes. While this is an optional step, I recommend doing it because the chestnut’s rock-hard shell will become a wee bit softer to score a slit. Dry them with a towel before scoring on the shell.
I simply pour a kettle of hot water about 60-70 C hot onto the chestnuts. By doing so, there are 3 benefits
- If there are any rotten chestnuts, they will float. You can discard them.
- As mentioned above, the chestnut shell will become a bit softer. This makes it easier to slit on the top.
- Stays a bit hydrated when air fried.
How to score X on Chestnuts
Place the chestnut flat side down on a chopping board. Hold the chestnut between your thumb and index finger and using a serrated knife cut a slit or a cross on the top.
Make sure you cut through the shell but not the nut inside. Chestnuts have a rock-hard shell and hence it is a bit tricky if you are trying to do it for the first time. But with a little practice, you will easily be able to do it.
How to air fry Chestnuts?
To roast chestnuts in the air fryer, transfer the prepped chestnuts to the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 204C for 5-12 minutes. Smaller chestnuts will crack open more quickly than larger ones.
About 5-6 minutes for smaller chestnuts and 10-12 minutes for larger chestnuts.
Transfer the air fryer roasted chestnuts to a towel and Wrap them tight. This step helps in the easy peeling of the shell.
Enjoy warm chestnuts for snacking or use them in your recipes.
Tips and tricks to make roasted Chestnuts in the air fryer
SOAK the chestnuts in warm water for at least 10-15 minutes. While this is an optional step, I recommend doing it because the chestnut’s rock-hard shell will become a wee bit softer to score a slit.
TRAP the steam when you have finished roasting the chestnuts. Wrap the roasted chestnuts in a towel. This is essential in easily peeling the shell when warm.
WATER – Some people I know add half a cup of water to the air fryer basket for roasting chestnuts. This develops a bit of steam in the air fryer and helps in easy peeling. However, I do not add water to the basket as I have not found any alarming difference in texture.
Store roasted Peeled Chestnuts
Roasted chestnuts will keep fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container or up to 2 months in the freezer.
More easy Air fryer recipes
Easy Air fryer chestnuts recipe below
Ingredients
- 450 g Chestnuts
Instructions
- Place chestnuts in a bowl. Add hot water from the kettle onto the chestnuts and allow them to soak for 10-15 minutes.
- Drain the water and pat dry the chestnuts with a towel.
- Place the chestnut flat side down on a chopping board. Hold the chestnut between your thumb and index finger and using a serrated knife cut a slit or a cross on the top.
- Air fry at 204C for 5-12 minutes. Smaller chestnuts will crack open more quickly than larger ones.
- About 5-6 minutes for smaller chestnuts and 10-12 minutes for larger chestnuts.
- Immediately transfer the air-fried chestnuts to a towel and hold it tight to trap the steam. About 2 minutes.
- Peel the chestnuts while they are still warm.
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