You can use air fryer chestnuts in any dish that calls for cooked chestnuts in both sweet and savoury dishes, like this Vegetarian French Chestnut Soup. Cooking chestnuts in the air fryer gives a wonderfully sweet and extra nutty flavour compared with boiling alone. Cooked chestnuts are convenient when you want to use them as an ingredient in sweet and savoury dishes such as soups, purees, cookies, and cakes. The method for roasting chestnuts in the air fryer is so simple, and I’ve included some handy tips to make perfect Easy to Peel Chestnuts.
What are chestnuts?
Chestnuts are the edible fruit of deciduous trees which grow in Europe, North America, and Asia. They are most commonly roasted, boiled, steamed or microwaved. The inner flesh has a similar flavour to sweet potatoes – nutty and sweet. The texture is similar to a firm potato. Chestnuts have a low oil and a high water content, hence their unique, soft texture. You can enjoy roasted chestnuts as they are as a delicious snack or add them to your favourite seasonal recipes. I love to eat roasted chestnuts whilst they are still warm – the sweet buttery-ness is so delicious, and no extra flavouring is required!
Why you should make this recipe:
Make the most of seasonal produce. Ready in 20 minutes and so easy to prepare. Naturally plant-based treat that is also gluten-free. Low in fat, a good source of antioxidants even after cooking and high in fibre. So addictive! The delicious buttery sweet potato-esque flavour means you will not be able to stop at one!
Ingredients
Quite possibly the simplest ingredients list! Fresh chestnuts The chestnut season runs from October through to December. You can find chestnuts in supermarkets and in markets. The chestnuts I have used are from a chestnut tree from my Auntie’s garden in Southeast England. Here is what to look out for when selecting the best chestnuts:
choose chestnuts that feel heavy for their size they should feel firm they will have shiny shells that are dark brown with tanned edges there should not be any holes the chestnuts shouldn’t rattle when you shake them, if they do, it is likely they are rotten inside use chestnuts at their freshest with the longest use by date when soaking the chestnuts, the ones that float are rotten. Discard these
Method
Follow these step-by-step instructions for the best results Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F (200 degrees C) Soak chestnuts in warm to hot water for around 10 minutes. Drain the water and dry each thoroughly. Using a small sharp knife, score a large “X” on the rounded side. Cut through the tough outer shell and inner fuzzy skin but avoid the flesh. Add a splash of water to the air fryer basket. Place the chestnuts in the air fryer basket and air fry For small chestnuts – 4-5 minutes For medium chestnuts – 6-7 minutes For large chestnuts, you may need up to 15 minutes (These timings are given for fresh chestnuts which were picked from an English chestnut tree and cooked within 3 days of picking) Air fry until the shells are peeling away and the flesh is exposed. Check to see if done by peeling one of the chestnuts. If it peels easily, they are done. Quickly place them in the clean kitchen towel, and wrap for a few minutes.
Peel away the outer layer and inner skin whilst the chestnuts are still warm. They are now ready to eat or use in your recipes.
How to score chestnuts
You will need a small sharp knife. You can either use a chopping board or score whilst holding the chestnut in your hands. If using a chopping board, place the chestnut flat side down and hold it firmly between your finger and thumb. With the knife, press down firmly to make a small score. Turn the chestnut and repeat to make an “X”. You want to cut through the outer shell and fuzzy skin but avoid going too deep inner flesh. If you are a bit nervous, you can use cut resistant gloves, but they might be more slippery when holding the chestnuts.
How to peel chestnuts
Ideally, you want to peel chestnuts whilst they are still warm but cool enough to handle. You will know that the chestnuts are fully cooked when the outer shell begins to peel away and exposes the golden flesh. To make the peeling process extra easy, immediately place the chestnuts in a towel and wrap for a minute or two. This is to trap steam that will make peeling easier. You can then begin peeling. To peel, start by peeling back the outer shell and then the inner fuzzy skin. The inner skin may be a little more difficult to remove but you can use a knife to help things along. Alternatively, cut the chestnuts down the middle and scoop out the soft cooked filling. This is a good trick if you will eventually be pureeing or using in a recipe. Chestnuts are difficult to peel once cold as the skin sticks! If they do cool down, it is best to pop them back into the air fryer to warm up.
Tips for success
Following these tips for easy air fryer chestnuts. Firstly, soak the chestnuts in hot water for around 10-15 minutes prior to air frying. It makes them easier to shell Score the chestnut shells prior to roasting. This prevents the chestnuts exploding by allowing steam to escape and also makes it easier to remove the shell. Add a splash of water to the air fryer to create steam to prevent them drying out. Try to add similar sized chestnuts as they all cook at different times. Keep check on the chestnuts as every batch of chestnuts and indeed different air fryers produce different results. Do not leave the air fryer unattended. Once cooked, quickly place in a towel and wrap. You may hear the chestnuts crackle. Keep tightly wrapped for a few minutes and then begin to peel.
Storage
How to store fresh chestnuts: Fresh chestnuts have a high water content so are quicker to perish. They are best stored unwashed in the fridge in a container until ready to cook. They should stay fresh for around 2 weeks. Why not make Chestnut Hummus for a thanksgiving or Christmas dinner parties. How to store cooked chestnuts: Cooked chestnuts will keep for around 3-4 days in the fridge, stored in an airtight container Freeze cooked chestnuts: Chestnuts can be frozen for up to 3 months. Place in a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. To thaw, defrost at room temperature or in the fridge overnight
Other Air Fryer Recipes
Frozen Empanadas in Air Fryer Air Fryer Sliced Potatoes Vegan Curry Puffs Salt & Pepper Halloumi Fries Air Fryer Focaccia Pizza Toasted Vegan Ravioli Pumpkin Scones Cheesy Mexican Potatoes
