5 Easy Steps for Air Fryer Chestnuts: Easy-to-Peel

Uncover the secret to easy-to-peel air fryer chestnuts with my 5 simple steps. Enjoy the delightful flavor of perfectly roasted chestnuts at home! A must for any holiday celebration.

During the chestnut season, there’s nothing more satisfying than delicious, easy-to-peel, roasted chestnuts.

Upon acquiring my air fryer, I eagerly sought to test its capabilities with my favorite recipes to determine if it lived up to the hype.

One of my initial comparisons involved pitting oven-roasted chestnuts against air fryer-roasted chestnuts.

Last Christmas, as my oven was occupied with baking Italian stuffed shells, I seized the opportunity to experiment with roasting chestnuts in my air fryer.

While I am fond of conventional roasted chestnuts, the holiday season often monopolizes the oven. In contrast, the air fryer offers a practical and efficient solution for preparing irresistibly crispy chestnuts while the oven attends to the main course.

I’m excited to share my experience on how to roast chestnuts in an air fryer. It is quick and convenient and results in delicious, perfectly roasted chestnuts that are easy to peel and enjoy.

Jump to:

• Ingredients and tools for air frying chestnuts
• How to air fry chestnuts
• Tips
• FAQ
• Chestnut recipes
• Recipe

Ingredients and tools for air frying chestnuts

Chestnuts: Well, no surprises here – the star of the show. Feel free to gather as many chestnuts as your heart desires, but be sure they are firm to the touch, without any signs of mold or bruising.

Water: Yes, you read that right. Our chestnuts are in for a quick boil before they meet the oven’s heat. If you’re curious about the impact of boiling (or not boiling) on the chestnuts, I’ve created a video demonstration of the results. It is conveniently located in the recipe card.

For those curious about extending the life of their chestnut, I’ve got a handy guide on How to Store Chestnuts, ensuring your chestnuts stay fresh and ready for roasting whenever the craving strikes.

In terms of kitchen accessories, here’s what you’ll need:

• Cutting board
• Sharp serrated knife or scissors
• Large pot
• Air fryer basket and, of course, an air fryer
• Tea towel

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If you are interested, my air fryer is the Breville Smart Toaster Oven. You can find all the details at my Amazon store (affiliate link).

How to air fry chestnuts

1-Preheat your air fryer: Set it to 375°F/190°C. A hot air fryer is critical for the chestnut to separate from its inner skin and outer shell.

2-Make an incision: Lay a chestnut flat on your cutting board. You can place it on a wet tea towel for a better grip. Hold the tip and the end of the chestnut between your fingertips, ensuring a secure hold. Using a serrated knife or scissors, create a lengthwise slit along the entire middle surface. Steadily hold the chestnut, ensuring the incision penetrates the inner skin but not the chestnut. This step allows steam to escape as it heats up, avoiding any unexpected oven drama – a lesson learned from personal experience.

3-Boil the chestnuts: Place the scored chestnuts in a pot of cold water. Once the water reaches a boil, retrieve the chestnuts with a slotted spoon. Boiling chestnuts sets the stage for the perfect steam environment when the chestnuts enter the hot air fryer.

4-Air fry chestnuts: Arrange the chestnuts flat side down, cut side up, in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 375°F/190°C for approximately 15-20 minutes, giving the basket an occasional shake during cooking. Witness the shells gracefully parting ways. The actual test of readiness? A taste test, of course!

5-Wrap them up: Once you’ve attained perfectly air-fried chestnuts, remove them from the air fryer and wrap them in a clean tea towel. Let the wrapped chestnuts sit for about 10-15 minutes. 

Tips

• Select Fresh Chestnuts: For the best flavor and texture, choose fresh and plump chestnuts. Avoid any that feel lightweight or show signs of mold.
• Score the Chestnuts: Score the rounded side of each chestnut before air frying. This facilitates easier peeling and prevents the chestnuts from exploding during cooking.
• A quick boil: For added moisture and easier peeling, consider a quick boil for the scored chestnuts.
• Preheat the Air Fryer: Allow your air fryer to preheat before placing the chestnuts inside. This helps ensure even cooking from the start.
• Single-Layer placement: Arrange the chestnuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Shake the basket: Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time to promote even roasting. This ensures that all sides of the chestnuts receive uniform heat.
• Check for doneness: Chestnuts are ready when the outer shell peels away quickly, revealing a tender, nutty interior. Adjust the cooking time based on the size of the chestnuts and your air fryer’s specifics.
• Wrap them: After air frying, wrap the air-fried chestnuts in a clean tea towel to steam them, making them easier to peel.
• Serve Warm: Enjoy the air-fried chestnuts warm for the best flavor, texture, and ease of shell removal.

FAQ

Chestnut recipes

★★★★★ If you have tried my method for air frying chestnuts, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe