There’s something about roasted nuts that makes them the perfect snack – and there’s no doubt that peanuts are one of the best kinds to roast. The result is always an irresistible level of nuttiness, crunch, and earthy flavours, plus the satisfaction that comes from knowing it only took you 10 minutes in the air fryer. And all you need is peanuts and salt to turn these into a delicious treat.
Flavour and crunch aside, peanuts are full of protein, vitamins, and minerals, making these a win-win in terms of satisfaction and nutrition. Whether you’re having these as a midday snack, adding them as a garnish to your favourite dish, or making homemade peanut butter; roasted peanuts are great to always have on hand. So here’s a foolproof way to roast peanuts in your air fryer.
Why you’ll love these roasted peanuts
- You can make these in 10 minutes or less. And who doesn’t love a quick recipe?
- Minimal ingredients required. All you need is peanuts and salt!
- Healthier and cheaper than store-bought. These don’t have any additional oils or additives. Plus, roasting them yourself is more cost effective.
- Easy to achieve an even roast. An air fryer is perfect for this recipe, since the hot air circulation ensures evenly crispy peanuts.
- Super customisable. You can add whichever flavours you like, whether you want to add some spicy, sweet or salty seasonings.
Health benefits of roasted peanuts
Aside from roasted peanuts tasting delicious and being a versatile snack, there’s plenty of nutritional benefits they bring your body that you may not know about.
- High in protein: According to Healthline, Peanuts contain around 25 grams of protein per 100 grams – making these a great snack for muscle building and repairing, protecting your immune system, and keeping you full for longer.
- High in unsaturated fat: Peanuts contain plenty of unsaturated fats, which when consumed in moderation, can naturally lower cholesterol levels. And this is a great way to improve heart health!
- Great source of vitamins and minerals: Biotin, vitamin B3, vitamin E, and copper are just a few of all the vitamins and minerals found in peanuts – and these are absolutely essential in supporting our overall health.
- Antioxidant-rich: Peanuts contain antixodiants like Resveratrol and p-Coumaric acid, which help fight cell damage.
- Reduce inflammation: Since peanuts are high in antioxidants and unsaturated fats, they act as an anti-inflammatory food which helps to reduce the risk of diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
How to roast peanuts in air fryer
For this recipe, you can use any type of shelled peanuts (their outer shell has been removed). Whether you prefer to buy skin-on, blanched, or peanut halves, feel free to use whatever you have on hand. Add around 1 cup of peanuts, spread them in one even layer at the bottom of the air fryer basket, and roast at 180C for around 8 minutes, checking halfway and giving the basket a shake. Then all that’s left is a sprinkle of salt while they’re still warm (this helps the salt stick!) and letting them cool fully before snacking away.
Roasting peanuts in air fryer vs. oven
While this recipe is intended for your air fryer, using your oven is a great alternative if you don’t own one, or if you’re wanting to roast a bigger batch. Here are some points to keep in mind when oven-roasting peanuts.
- Oven-roasting will take a little longer: You’ll need around 10-15 minutes at 180C (plus the time it takes to pre-heat your oven)
- A more hands-on method: Since ovens heat food less evenly, stirring the peanuts once or twice to promote even browning is necessary.
- Great for larger batches: One pro of the oven method is you can roast a larger batch of peanuts at one time, which is great if you’re prepping for the week ahead. Just make sure that the peanuts are spread in a single layer.
- Slightly more chewy texture: Oven-roasted peanuts will still crisp up nicely, but they might have a little less crunch than if air-fried.
Seasoning suggestions
While you can always keep this recipe simple and enjoy your peanuts lightly salted, there’s plenty of creative ways to turn this into an even more flavourful snack.
- Chilli-lime: Sprinkle on some chilli powder, lime zest and salt after roasting for a zesty alternative.
- Rosemary and garlic: Coat the roasted peanuts in a little dried rosemary, garlic powder, salt, and olive oil for a some herby flavours.
- Smoky paprika: Sprinkle on some smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne for a spicier kick.
- Honey-cinnamon: For a sweet and salty combo, toss your peanuts in a bowl with some melted honey, salt and cinnamon BEFORE roasting and watch the magic happen. In fact, I love this combination so much that I already created a honey cinnamon roasted cashew recipe which is perfect for any sweet and salty fanatics.
Air Fryer Roasted Peanuts
Ingredients
Method
- Spread the peanuts out in a single layer at the bottom of the lined air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 8 minutes* at 180C, checking and shaking the basket halfway through. Peanuts are done once golden and fragrant. If neccessary, continue air frying in 1 minute intervals.
- Once the peanuts are done, immediately season with salt or additional seasonings.
- Allow to cool fully before storing in an airtight container.
- Oven-roasting:
- Preheat oven to 180C.
- Spread the peanuts out in a single layer on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring the peanuts a few times throughout.
- Remove from oven once golden and fragrant. Season with salt or additional seasonings immediately.
- Allow to cool fully before storing in an airtight container.
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