Masala Peanuts in Air Fryer
Air Fryer Masala Peanuts - A delectable savory snack from Indian Cuisine made with raw peanuts, gram flour and spices. Served as tea time snack or with drinks during parties and get-togethers. Traditionally, the snack is deep fried but the air fryer version cuts down oil consumption to just a tablespoon.
Servings 1 cup
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 cup Raw Peanuts
- 3 tablespoon Besan, Gram Flour or Chickpea Flour
- 1 tablespoon Rice Flour
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri Red chili powder refer notes below
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- ½ teaspoon Amchur Powder or Dry Mango Powder read notes for substitutes
- 3 tablespoon Water
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil + extra (refer notes)
- Salt to taste
1 cup is 250 ml, 1 tablespoon 15ml, 1 teaspoon 5ml
Instructions
- Into a bowl, add raw peanuts, spices, gram flour, rice flour, oil and salt to taste. Mix well.
- Now add water, 1 tablespoon at a time and mix.
- Repeat the process until the peanuts have been coated with a layer of spices and flour.
- Pre-heat the air fryer for 4-5 minutes at 180 degree Celsius.
- Spread the masala peanuts in the air fryer basket.
- Air Fry at 180 degree Celsius for 12 to 15 mins or until crispy and golden. After about 5 mins of air frying, shake the basket gently. Spray some oil to prevent the coating from drying and falling off.
- Remove the masala peanuts from basket and cool. The peanuts will crisp up once completely cool.
- Store in an airtight jar in a cool dry place.
Notes
Ingredients and Substitutes
- Raw Peanuts with skin - Use unsalted, raw peanuts with skin. The skin helps in holding the spices and flour coating.
- Gram Flour and Rice Flour are naturally gluten free and vegan. Instead of rice flour, you can use corn flour or all purpose flour. It gives a crispy texture to peanuts.
- Spices - I have used Kashmiri Red chili which can be substituted with paprika. It only provides color, not heat.
- Amchur or dry mango powder can be substituted with lime juice. If you are adding lime juice, adjust the quantity of water used for binding the flour and spices.
- Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil or any oil with a high smoke point.
- Pre-heat the air fryer and brush / spray oil before placing the peanuts. It will prevent the peanuts from sticking.
- Do not shake the basket before 5 mins of air frying. Allow the layer of spices and flour to cook and stick to the peanuts.
- I would advise using / adding 1 cup of peanuts at a time, while air frying, else you will end up with chunks or clusters of peanuts stuck to each other.
- Once the air fried masala peanuts have cooled, store them in an airtight container. It has not lasted more than a couple of days at home because its quite addictive.
- You can double the quantities and make a large batch for festivals like Diwali or holiday season gift packs. Air tight glass jars or tupperware boxes are best for storing.
- Keep away from moisture. Store in a cool dry place.