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.
Ever tried roasting chestnuts in the air fryer? You’ll never go back! The warm roasted chestnuts taste sweet and buttery, a bit like roasted sweet potatoes, and are so addictive. Every year I make a few batches of these roasted chestnuts in the air fryer to snack on along with air fryer edamame while watching Christmas movies.
💛Why I Fell in Love with Roasted Chestnuts
For me, roasted chestnuts are Christmas in a bite. Every year, I try to visit Christmas markets in the UK and Europe to soak up the holiday spirit, sip on spiced mulled red wine, and enjoy local food. And no matter what, I never leave without a warm paper bag filled with freshly roasted chestnuts.
Jump to:
- 💛Why I Fell in Love with Roasted Chestnuts
- What Type of Chestnuts Can I Use for Roasting?
- 👩🏻🍳Top Tips for Perfect Roasted Chestnuts in Air Fryer
- ⏲️Air fryer Chestnuts Cooking Time
- Air fryer Chestnuts Step by Step Guide
- Soaking the Chestnuts (Optional)
- 🔪How to Score X on Chestnuts
- ⏲️How to Air Fry Chestnuts?
- 🧂Store Roasted Peeled Chestnuts
- Recipe FAQ's
- More Easy Air fryer Recipes For Christmas
- Air Fryer Roasted Chestnuts
What Type of Chestnuts Can I Use for Roasting?
There are a few varieties that you can use for roasting such as American chestnuts, Asian chestnuts and European chestnuts. European chestnuts are the best chestnuts for roasting and are widely available in UK supermarkets, specialty stores, and farmers' markets.
Note that horse chestnuts, often found on trees, are toxic and should not be consumed. Water chestnuts, used in Asian cuisine, are also unsuitable for roasting.
👩🏻🍳Top Tips for Perfect Roasted Chestnuts in Air Fryer
- Soak before scoring: I always soak the chestnuts in warm water for 10–15 minutes. It softens the hard shell and makes it much easier to score a cross before roasting.
- Trap the steam: Once the chestnuts are roasted, I wrap them in a towel to trap the steam. This helps me peel off the shells while they’re still warm.
- Steam option in the air fryer: Some people add half a cup of water to the air fryer basket to create steam for easier peeling. I don’t usually do this, as I haven’t noticed much difference in texture.
- Prep ahead: If I want to save time later, I boil and cool the chestnuts first, then store them in the fridge. I only score them just before air frying.
⏲️Air fryer Chestnuts Cooking Time
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 air fryer as well as Instant Pot Vortex Plus Versazone air fryer
Air fryer Chestnuts Step by Step Guide
The recipe is simple and straightforward.All I need is just one ingredient – fresh chestnuts (you can find them in most U.S. and UK grocery stores) – and three simple steps: soak, score a cross, and air fry.
Soaking the Chestnuts (Optional)
Step 1: I simply pour a kettle of hot water about 60-70 C hot onto the chestnuts.
Tip: 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.
Step 2: SOAK the chestnuts in hot water for at least 10-15 minutes.
Tip: 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.
🔪How to Score X on Chestnuts
Step 3: Dry them with a towel before scoring on the shell.
Step 4: 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.
Tip: 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?
Step 5: To roast chestnuts in the air fryer, transfer the scored chestnuts to the air fryer basket.
Step 6: Air fry at 204C for 5-12 minutes. Smaller chestnuts will crack open more quickly than larger ones.
Tip: Transfer the air fried hot chestnuts to a clean towel and Wrap them tight. Let them steam for 5 minutes or so! This step helps in the easy peeling off the outer shell.
Enjoy warm chestnuts for snacking or use them in your recipes.
🧂Store Roasted Peeled Chestnuts
- In the fridge: Transfer the cooled, peeled chestnuts to an airtight container and store for 3–4 days.
- In the freezer: Place the peeled chestnuts in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. They will keep well for up to 2–3 months.
Recipe FAQ's
You can buy European Chestnuts from major UK supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Waitrose, as well as local farmers' markets and specialty food stores, especially during autumn and winter.
Cook the smaller chestnuts for 5-6 minutes and larger ones for 10-12 minutes in the air fryer.
Yes! Freezing is a great way to extend their shelf life. Peel the roasted chestnuts first, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag to avoid freezer burn. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. When ready to use, simply defrost them overnight in the fridge.
More Easy Air fryer Recipes For Christmas
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.
Notes
My Top Tips for Air Fryer Roasted Chestnuts
- Soak first: I like to soak the chestnuts in warm water for 10–15 minutes—it softens the shells and makes scoring much easier.
- Wrap to steam: Once they’re roasted, I wrap them in a towel. The trapped steam helps me peel them while they’re still warm.
- Optional steam trick: I know some people add a little water to the air fryer basket, but I don’t bother as I don’t notice much difference in texture.
- Prep ahead: Sometimes I boil and cool the chestnuts, then store them in the fridge. I just make sure to score them right before air frying.
How to Store Roasted & Peeled Chestnuts?
- In the fridge: Transfer the cooled, peeled chestnuts to an airtight container and store for 3–4 days.
- In the freezer: Place the peeled chestnuts in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. They will keep well for up to 2–3 months.
D.Oreilly says
Have been eating & cooking "Roast Chestnuts" from a very early age. Thought i would try the Air Fryer way, I followed this recipe to the letter & Hey Presto NEVER AGAIN! cant go into the reasons for this, but a waste of Time & Money. So it's back to the Oven from now on.
Sandhya Hariharan says
Thank you for your feedback, D. O'Reilly. I'm sorry to hear the air fryer method didn't work out for you. Generally, if something works in the oven, it should work in the air fryer too, though sometimes slight adjustments in time or temperature can make a difference. Each kitchen appliance can vary a bit, but I appreciate you giving it a try! If you ever feel like experimenting again, I’d be happy to help troubleshoot. Thanks again for sharing your experience – happy cooking, whether it's in the oven or air fryer!
Reeves says
Chestnuts came out perfectly in my airfryer. Thank you.