Air Fryer Masala Peanuts are a spicy, crunchy, and addictive tea-time snack. Made using gluten-free gram flour, spices, and a tablespoon of oil. These crispy and protein-rich masala peanuts are a wonderful addition to your cupboard snacks.
Perfect Party Appetizer
These masala peanuts can be served for your drinks party or as a side for your next party. They can be enjoyed as a tea time munching snack. Traditionally these masala peanuts are deep-fried. These are generally made during the festive season of Diwali. I have tweaked the recipe and instead of frying, I am baking this in an air fryer. If you do not have an air fryer one can even bake this in an oven.
Gram flour along with spices like turmeric, red chilly powder, chaat masala, garam masala, turmeric, raw mango powder, and salt are mixed and coated all along the peanuts. Typically the peanuts are soaked in water for a few hours, the water then is drained and then the masalas along with the flour are added.
I have removed this long step and shortened the process. I am adding just 2-3 tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of oil to help coat the masala along with the flour.
The next step is to air fry it. For air frying, all you do is arrange the peanuts in the air fryer and air fry it for 10-12 minutes. The time required to air fry can be different at times. It depends on the size of your air fryer basket and the number of nuts one adds at one go.
Ingredients used in Masala Peanuts
I have made these masala peanuts with pantry staple ingredients. Well, Indian Pantry staple ingredients. These ingredients can be easily available at your local Asian Grocery stores or online.
Few tips to Air Fry Masala Peanuts
- Do not overcrowd.
- Preheat the air fryer, it helps.
- Grease or spray the air fryer basket.
- If there are clumps in your peanut mixture, break it.
- Turn in between, this helps in cooking it evenly.
- Once done, they might appear a bit soft. They would be crispy once they are cooled completely.
Variations to Air Fryer Masala Peanuts
Keep it simple
Simply air fry it and just add salt. You will get some salty crunchy roasted peanuts in an air fryer within minutes.
Masala Peanuts with paprika
Instead of the above spices, just add salt and paprika powder along with the oil and water.
Zaatar spiced peanuts
Add zaatar spice oil and water and air fry it.
Herbed Peanuts
Add herbs of your choice and air fry them to get an addictive herby munchy snack. Something similar to this Herb Roasted Chickpeas.
Chilli Honey roasted peanuts
Add red chilly powder and honey to get that sweet and spicy taste in one.
Chocolate peanuts
Roast the peanuts and simply coat them with melted chocolate to get chocolaty peanuts.
Christmas Favourite
Add a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg to bring the best of Christmas or winter favourite, just like int his Spiced Candied Mixed Nuts.
The above are just some of the options, one can try any combinations with different spices and herbs for different flavors.
Shelf life of Air Fryer Masala Peanuts
These Air fryer masala peanuts would stay good for a minimum of 1 month when stored in an airtight container.
Are this vegan?
Yes, this is with the ingredients I have shared below. If you are using any other herbs or spices do check if it is vegan or not.
Are this gluten-free?
They are gluten-free if you are using gluten-free asafoetida. Store-bought asafoetida powder has wheat powder in it. I use gluten-free asafoetida in rock form. So if you are allergic, either use gluten-free asafoetida or skip it completely.
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Air Fryer Masala Peanuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanuts
- 1/4 cup Gram Flour – Besan
- 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Raw Mango Powder – Amchoor powder
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 2-3 tablespoon water
Instructions
- In a large bowl add the peanuts. Clean for any impurities.1 cup peanuts
- In a large bowl sift in the gram flour.
- Add all the remaining ingredients except water.1/4 cup Gram Flour, 1 teaspoon Red chili powder, 1 teaspoon Raw Mango Powder, 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder, ¼ teaspoon asafoetida, 1 teaspoon Garam Masala, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
- Mix everything.
- Now slowly add a tablespoon of water and a tablespoon of oil at a time and coat all the ingredients well into the peanuts.2-3 tablespoon water, 2 tablespoon oil
- Allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes.
- After 10-15 minutes preheat the air fryer to 180 Deg C / 356 Deg F.
- Preheating air fryer at 180 Deg C / 356 Deg F, should take 3-4 minutes depending on the size.
- It is best to preheat to have the crispy texture.
- Give the peanut mixture another mix.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, spread the peanut mixture on the air fryer basket.
- Spread it evenly.
- Do not overcrowd and break if there are any lumps.
- Air fry it at 180 Deg C for 8 minutes initially, checking after 4 minutes.
- After 4 minutes, stir the peanuts with the help of a spoon upside down.
- Air fry again for the remaining 4 minutes.
- After 8 minutes do check if they appear golden brown, if not air fry for further 4-5 minutes in intervals of 1-2 minutes.
- Do check after every 1-2 minutes, as they get burnt easily if overdone.
- They might appear a bit soft, but they will be crispy once cooled.
- Store it in a clean air-tight container
Notes
- Standard US Size cups and spoons are used. 1 cup = 237 ml, 1 teaspoon = 5 ml
- The time required to bake in an air fryer might differ depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Spices can be adjusted as per taste.
- Read above for variations.
- Asafoetida (Hing) powder available in shops contains wheat and is not gluten-free. Gluten-intolerant people can either skip it completely or opt for Gluten Free Asafoetida (Hing)
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