Cozy Air Fryer Roasted Chestnuts
Easy Air Fryer Roasted Chestnuts Recipe
Chestnuts taste even better when it’s cold! I made them using an air fryer. Enjoy the delightful taste of freshly roasted chestnuts, perfect for a chilly day.
Ingredients
- 1kg fresh chestnuts
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the chestnuts for roasting. In a large bowl, combine 1kg of fresh chestnuts and 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. Gently rub the chestnuts together to wash them thoroughly without damaging the skin. Washing with coarse salt helps effectively remove any dirt from the chestnut surface.
Step 2
Rinse the washed chestnuts a couple more times under running water to remove any remaining salt. Then, fill the bowl with cold water and soak the chestnuts for about 30 minutes. This soaking process helps the chestnuts become moist and cook evenly inside.
Step 3
After 30 minutes, drain the soaked chestnuts and ensure they are completely dry. Now it’s time to score the chestnuts. Scoring prevents them from bursting while cooking and ensures they cook through evenly, which is a crucial step. Using a sharp knife, make shallow scores about 2cm long along the natural curve of the chestnut shell. Be careful not to score too deeply, as this can cause the chestnut to break apart, nor too shallow, as they might still burst. Aim to cut just deep enough to reach the inner skin. It might take a few tries to get the feel for it, but you’ll soon find your rhythm.
Step 4
Arrange the scored chestnuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overlapping them can prevent even cooking, so try to spread them out as much as possible. Preheating the air fryer is not necessary. Set the temperature to 190°C (375°F) and cook for 13 minutes.
Step 5
After 13 minutes, you’ll notice the chestnuts starting to open up, and a wonderful aroma of roasted chestnuts will fill your kitchen! Carefully remove the basket and gently shake or flip the chestnuts. This ensures they cook evenly. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for another 9 minutes at 190°C (375°F). If you have fewer chestnuts, enough to form a single layer at the bottom, about 20 minutes total cooking time might suffice. In my case, I had a larger batch and cooked them for about 22 minutes. Partway through, I heard a ‘pop!’ sound, indicating one chestnut with a less effective score had burst, so I paused the air fryer. They ended up cooking for about 7 minutes more after that scare, finishing at around 20 minutes total. The exact cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer model, the size of the chestnuts, and the depth of your scores, so keep an eye on them and adjust as needed.
