Air Fryer Masala Peanuts are a crunchy, spicy, and flavorful snack made with peanuts coated in a mixture of gram flour, rice flour, and a blend of spices. This guilt-free and addictive snack is air-fried instead of deep-fried, making it lighter, healthier, and just as delicious.
This Air Fryer Masala Peanuts recipe is a healthier twist on a popular Indian snack, Peanut Bhujia. It is crispy, vegan, easy, and quick to make; it's sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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Crunchy and Flavorful Air Fryer Masala Peanuts
Traditionally, Sing Bhujia or Peanut Bhujia are deep-fried and very spicy. Even though I love peanuts, I do not like to eat super spicy and deep-fried Sing Bhujia. But I found an alternative to this packaged snack, Air Fryer Masala Peanuts!
These masala peanuts are perfectly spiced, crispy, and full of flavor. Even after air-frying, the coated peanuts are not dry and as pleasant as the deep-fried ones, but in a healthy way.
Air Fryer Masala Peanuts are easy and quick to make, in just 15 minutes. This snack is vegan, gluten-free, packed with Indian flavors, and perfect for munching, a party snack, or enjoying with a cup of chai.
You can easily scale up the recipe and make it in a large batch. Additionally, adjust the amount of spices to your preference. If you like very spicy masala peanuts, add more red chili powder. You can also add garam masala if you prefer.
Why You Will Love This Snack
- These Air-Fried Masala Peanuts are crispy and crunchy, eliminating the need for deep-frying.
- The recipe is easy and quick to prepare, taking just 15 minutes.
- It is packed with bold Indian flavors and is very addictive.
- This snack is vegan and gluten-free.
- It pairs perfectly with a cup of chai or coffee.
- It can also be a perfect homemade gift, a party snack, or a great addition to a Diwali platter.
Ingredients and Notes
- Raw Peanuts: Use raw peanuts with their skin on for an extra-crunchy texture. I bought the raw peanuts from an Indian grocery store, but you can use the peanuts of your preference.
- Chickpea Flour: Chickpea flour helps coat the peanuts, making them crunchy.
- Rice Flour: Rice flour adds an extra crispiness. If you don’t have rice flour, cornstarch can be used as an alternative.
- Asafoetida: For gluten-free Air Fryer Masala Peanuts, ensure you use gluten-free asafoetida or skip it altogether.
- Salt and Pepper: Add salt to taste. Also, for a spicier version, add more black pepper powder.
- Spices: I added red chili powder and turmeric powder. You can add more spices such as ground coriander and garam masala.
- Chaat Masala: I love adding chaat masala because it adds a multitude of flavors.
- Amchur Powder: Amchur is a dry mango powder that provides tanginess to these Air Fryer Masala Peanuts. If you do not have amchur, add a teaspoon of lime juice.
- Oil: Use any cooking oil of your choice. We need only a small amount of oil, enough to bind everything together.
How To Make Masala Peanuts In an Air Fryer
- Add peanuts to the bowl, rinse thoroughly with water, and then drain well.
- Do not soak the peanuts.
- In a mixing bowl, add besan, rice flour, salt, asafoetida, black pepper, turmeric powder, red chili powder, chaat masala, and amchur.
- Mix well.
- Add the drained peanuts and mix until they are coated with the flour mixture.
- Now, drizzle the oil and mix gently.
- Then, splash one tablespoon of water over the coated peanuts.
- Mix gently so that the flour mixture sticks to the peanuts.
- Add a little more water, one teaspoon at a time, if needed.
- We only need to moisten the flour mixture lightly, so avoid adding too much water.
- Preheat the air fryer at 340°F for 4 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket and spread the peanuts in a single layer.
- You may need to air-fry the peanuts in two batches.
- Air-fry the peanuts at 340°F for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- The peanuts should be golden and crispy.
- Remove the masala peanuts from the basket and transfer them to a plate or bowl.
- Allow them to cool before serving and storing.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy the masala peanuts with a cup of chai or coffee.
It can be a great munching snack for a long drive, parties, or a get-together.
You can also add these Air Fryer Masala Peanuts to the salads.
Add them to bhel puri, chaat, or murmura and poha chivda.
Storing Suggestions
Once completely cooled, store the Air Fryer Masala Peanuts in an airtight container at room temperature.
They will stay crunchy for 8 to 10 days.
Helpful Tips For Air Fryer Masala Peanuts
Peanuts: Rinsing the peanuts with water makes them moist and crispier when air-fried. After rinsing, drain the peanuts well and do not soak them in water.
Spices: Add more or fewer spices as per your preferences. I do not make very spicy peanuts. But if you prefer them spicier, add more red chili powder. You can also add garam masala.
Rice Flour: Rice flour makes the coating crispier. If you don’t have rice flour, you can substitute it with cornstarch.
Water: Be careful when adding water, as you will need only around one tablespoon. Also, do not just pour it; instead, sprinkle it all over the peanuts.
Variations: You can add garam masala for a more flavorful profile and spicier peanuts. Add dry mint powder for a refreshing note. After air-frying the peanuts, sprinkle the spices of your choice and toss well.
Air-Frying: Air-fry the peanuts in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding in the basket. Do not air-fry the peanuts at high temperatures, as the coating will burn, but the peanuts will not become crunchy. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. If your peanuts are browning too quickly, further reduce the air fryer temperature and continue cooking.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Masala Peanuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw peanuts
- ¼ cup besan (chickpea flour)
- 2 tablespoon rice flour
- Salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon chaat masala
- ½ teaspoon amchur powder
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Add peanuts to the bowl, rinse thoroughly with water, and then drain well.
- In a mixing bowl, add besan, rice flour, salt, asafoetida, black pepper, turmeric powder, red chili powder, chaat masala, and amchur. Mix well.
- Add the drained peanuts and mix until they are coated with the flour mixture. Add oil and mix gently.
- Now, splash one tablespoon of water over the coated peanuts. Mix gently so that the flour mixture sticks to the peanuts. Add a little more water, one teaspoon at a time, if needed. We only need to moisten the flour mixture lightly, so avoid adding too much water.
- Preheat the air fryer at 340°F for 4 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket and spread the peanuts in a single layer. You may need to air-fry the peanuts in two batches to ensure even cooking.
- Air-fry the peanuts at 340°F for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The peanuts should be golden and crispy.
- Remove the masala peanuts from the basket and transfer them to a plate or bowl. Allow them to cool before serving and storing.
Storing Suggestions
- Once completely cooled, store the Air Fryer Masala Peanuts in an airtight container at room temperature.
- They will stay crunchy for 8 to 10 days.
Notes
- Peanuts: Rinsing the peanuts with water makes them moist and crispier when air-fried. After rinsing, drain the peanuts well and do not soak them in water.
- Spices: Add more or fewer spices as per your preferences. I do not make very spicy peanuts. But if you prefer them spicier, add more red chili powder. You can also add garam masala.
- Rice Flour: Rice flour makes the coating crispier. If you don’t have rice flour, you can substitute it with cornstarch.
- Water: Be careful when adding water, as you will need only around one tablespoon. Also, do not just pour it; instead, sprinkle it all over the peanuts.
- Variations: You can add garam masala for a more flavorful profile and spicier peanuts. Add dry mint powder for a refreshing note. After air-frying the peanuts, sprinkle the spices of your choice and toss well.
- Air-Frying: Air-fry the peanuts in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded in the basket. Do not air-fry the peanuts at high temperatures, as the coating will burn, but the peanuts will not become crunchy. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. If your peanuts are browning too quickly, further reduce the air fryer temperature and continue cooking.
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