Air Fryer Roasted Chestnuts
Skip the oven and grab your air fryer. Roasting chestnuts in the air fryer is way easier and just as tasty. They’re warm, soft on the inside, and just a little crisp on the outside.
Ingredients
- 300 g fresh chestnuts
- 1 l water
- 1 tsp salt (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse the chestnuts well under cold water. They can be dusty or a bit grimy, especially if they’re fresh from the market.
- Chestnuts have tough shells, and if you don’t cut them, they’ll explode while cooking. Take your paring knife and carefully cut an “X” into the rounded side of each chestnut. Go through the outer shell and just into the inner skin. Be careful here. The shells can be slippery. Holding the chestnut on a cutting board rather than in your hand makes it safer.
- Once scored, toss them into a pot of water, bring to a gentle boil, and let them blanch for 10 minutes. You can add a teaspoon of salt to the water at this stage for extra flavor.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Not all air fryers need preheating, but it helps get that even roast.
- Drain the chestnuts from the water and pat them dry. You don’t want them dripping wet.
- Place the chestnuts in the air fryer basket, cut side up. Don’t overcrowd the basket. Give them space so the air can circulate.
- Roast for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when the shells curl back and the nut inside looks golden.
- Once out of the fryer, wrap them in a clean towel for 10 minutes. This step traps the heat and steam, loosening the skins. After that, they’re ready to peel and eat. Grab a warm one and peel off the shell while it’s still soft.
Notes
- Start by picking good chestnuts. Go for ones with firm, glossy shells and skip any that have holes, mould, or feel light and hollow. If they rattle when you shake them, they’re probably dried out.
- When it comes to scoring, using a paring knife works fine, but if you find it tricky, a serrated knife or chestnut cutter can make things easier.
- Some folks prefer cutting the flat side so the chestnuts stay steady, but scoring the rounded side often makes peeling a bit easier once they’re cooked.
- If you don't have time to blanch them, don’t worry; a quick soak in hot water or even microwaving them in water for a couple of minutes will help soften the shells.
- Keep an eye on the cook time, too. Chestnuts can dry out fast in the air fryer. Once the shells start curling back and darkening, they’re usually done.
- Peel the air fryer roasted chestnuts while warm. Once cold, the skins get stubborn.