Roasting Chestnuts In An Air Fryer: How Long Does It Take?

Roasting chestnuts in an air fryer is a great alternative to roasting them in the oven or over an open fire. It's a quicker and easier way to capture that nostalgic feeling and get a delicious, toasty, nutty treat. The air fryer's circulating fan and smaller space heat up faster and cook the chestnuts in a fraction of the time – around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the chestnuts and the air fryer's brand and temperature.

How to prepare chestnuts for cooking in an air fryer

Preparing chestnuts for cooking in an air fryer is simple and only takes a few steps. Here's a guide on how to do it:

Firstly, select good-quality chestnuts. Choose chestnuts that are smooth, plump, and shiny, avoiding any with blemishes or mould. It is recommended to use Italian or American chestnuts as they are easier to peel. Ensure they are raw and not pre-cooked or roasted.

Next, rinse the chestnuts under cold running water in a colander. Drain them once they are thoroughly rinsed.

Now, it's time to score the chestnuts. Place the flat side of a chestnut on a cutting board, with the rounded side facing up. Using a sharp paring knife or chestnut knife, cut horizontally across the rounded side, making a large slit. Rotate the chestnut 90 degrees and make a second cut, forming an "X" on its top. This technique allows steam to escape during cooking and makes peeling easier. Be careful not to cut too deeply or you may pierce the nut inside.

After scoring, some recipes suggest soaking the chestnuts in cold water for 30-60 minutes. This is said to make the chestnuts easier to peel. However, others claim that soaking is unnecessary and may affect the cooking process. If you do choose to soak, discard any chestnuts that float, as these may be rotten.

Once you have completed the scoring and optional soaking, it's time to dry the chestnuts. Use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to pat them dry.

Now, you can cook the chestnuts in your air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to a temperature between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit (175-204 degrees Celsius). Place the scored chestnuts in the air fryer basket with the cut sides facing up. Ensure they are arranged in a single layer with enough space for proper air circulation.

Cook the chestnuts for around 10-17 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice during the process. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chestnuts and your air fryer, so keep a close eye on them to avoid burning or bursting.

Once they are roasted, transfer the hot chestnuts to a clean kitchen towel or paper bag. Draw the edges of the cloth towards the centre, creating a small pouch, and let the chestnuts steam for about five minutes. This helps loosen the shells for easier peeling.

Finally, peel the chestnuts while they are still warm. Grasp the pouch and gently squeeze to loosen the shells. Carefully peel off the outer shell, removing the papery skin to expose the yellow flesh inside. Use a small, sharp knife to assist if needed, being careful not to pierce the nut.

Now you have a batch of delicious air-fried chestnuts to enjoy!

How to roast chestnuts in an air fryer

Roasting chestnuts in an air fryer is a simple process that will have you enjoying a delicious, sweet, nutty, and earthy snack in no time. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve perfect results:

Selecting and Preparing the Chestnuts:

• Choose the right type of chestnuts: Italian or American chestnuts are recommended as they peel easily and are easier to work with. Avoid Chinese chestnuts, horse chestnuts, and water chestnuts, as they can be harder to peel or even toxic.
• Look for fresh, high-quality chestnuts: Select chestnuts that are smooth, plump, and shiny, without any blemishes or mold. Ensure they feel heavy for their size and firm to the touch.
• Pick chestnuts of equal size: This will ensure they roast evenly in the air fryer.
• Soak the chestnuts: Submerge the chestnuts in cold or warm water for 10 to 60 minutes. This step helps to identify any rotten chestnuts, as they will float. Soaking also makes the chestnuts easier to peel.
• Score the chestnuts: Using a sharp paring knife or serrated knife, make a large "X" or a cross on the rounded side of each chestnut. This allows steam to escape during cooking and makes peeling easier later. Place the chestnuts with the flat side down on a cutting board to ensure a steady scoring process.
• Dry the chestnuts: After soaking, thoroughly dry the chestnuts with a kitchen towel or paper towels.

Air Frying the Chestnuts:

• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to the desired temperature. Recommended temperatures vary, with some sources suggesting 350°F (175°C) to ensure even cooking, while others recommend higher temperatures of 375°F (190°C) or 400°F (204°C).
• Arrange the chestnuts in the air fryer basket: Place the scored chestnuts in the basket with the cut sides facing up. Ensure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Cook the chestnuts: Roast the chestnuts for 8 to 17 minutes, depending on their size. Shake the basket once or twice during cooking to ensure even cooking. The chestnuts are ready when the shells start to peel back and the edges are toasted and lightly browned.

Peeling and Serving the Chestnuts:

• Steam the cooked chestnuts: Transfer the hot chestnuts to a clean kitchen towel or a paper bag. Draw the edges of the cloth towards the center to create a small pouch, and let the chestnuts steam for about 5 minutes. This step helps loosen the shells and makes peeling easier.
• Peel the chestnuts: After steaming, gently squeeze the pouch to further loosen the shells. Carefully peel off the outer shell and the papery skin, exposing the yellow flesh inside. Use a small, sharp knife to assist if needed, being careful not to pierce the nut.
• Serve warm: Enjoy your air fryer roasted chestnuts while they are still warm. You can eat them plain or enhance their flavor with various seasonings, such as melted butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, or a sprinkle of salt.

Storage Tips:

• Room temperature: If you plan to consume the roasted chestnuts within a few hours, you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container.
• Refrigeration: Let the chestnuts cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to four days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, place the peeled chestnuts in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Seal the bag tightly and freeze for up to three months.

How to store roasted chestnuts

Roasted chestnuts can be stored in various ways, depending on your preferences and how soon you intend to use them. Here are some tips to keep your chestnuts fresh for as long as possible:

Storing Cooked Chestnuts in the Fridge

While still warm from roasting, peel the chestnuts, including the inner skin. Allow the nuts to cool completely, then transfer them to airtight containers or plastic bags and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Storing Cooked Chestnuts in the Freezer

If you plan to use cooked chestnuts in a recipe, such as a chestnut puree or stuffing, consider cooking and peeling them before freezing. Spread the cooked, peeled chestnuts on a baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper. Place them in the freezer for at least an hour or until semi-frozen, then transfer to an airtight container or plastic bag. Label and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Storing Raw Chestnuts in the Fridge

Store uncooked chestnuts with their shells intact in a mesh or paper bag, or a perforated plastic bag. The ideal refrigerated storage conditions for chestnuts are 33-35° F ( 0.5-1.7° C) with high humidity near 90%. Under these conditions, unshelled chestnuts will last up to three weeks.

Other Storage Methods

There are several other ways to store chestnuts, including storing them in sand, alcohol, or by making a chestnut puree. Chestnuts can also be dehydrated and stored for up to two months.

How to choose the best chestnuts

Roasting chestnuts in an air fryer is a great alternative if you don't have access to a fireplace or oven. The process is straightforward and can be done in a few simple steps. But before you get roasting, you'll want to make sure you've chosen the best chestnuts for the job. Here's how to choose the best chestnuts for air frying:

• Type of Chestnuts: Opt for Italian (European) or American chestnuts. These varieties peel more easily and are generally easier to work with. Chinese chestnuts, while tasty, tend to be harder to peel.
• Size Consistency: Try to select chestnuts that are similar in size. This ensures they cook evenly in the air fryer.
• Quality: Look for chestnuts that are smooth, plump, and shiny, without any blemishes or mould. Dry chestnuts may indicate that they are past their prime, so avoid those.
• Freshness: Chestnuts are typically harvested from mid to late October. Look for shiny brown chestnuts that feel firm to the touch, as these are likely the freshest.
• Avoid Mix-ups: Be careful not to confuse chestnuts with horse chestnuts (conkers) or water chestnuts, as these are not the same and are not suitable for roasting.

By following these guidelines, you'll be able to select the best chestnuts for air frying. Remember to inspect the chestnuts carefully and trust your senses to ensure you get the freshest and most suitable ones for your recipe.

How long to roast chestnuts in an air fryer

Roasting chestnuts in an air fryer is a great alternative to using an oven or an open fire, and it's quicker too! The air fryer's circulating fan and smaller space heat up faster and cook the chestnuts in a fraction of the time.

Here's a step-by-step guide to roasting chestnuts in an air fryer:

Prepare the chestnuts

It's important to start with high-quality chestnuts. Look for Italian or American chestnuts, as these are easier to peel. Choose chestnuts that are smooth, plump, and shiny, and avoid any with blemishes or mould. Rinse the chestnuts in cold water and then dry them thoroughly.

Score the chestnuts

Use a small, sharp knife to cut a large "X" on the rounded side of each chestnut. This will help the steam escape during cooking and make the chestnuts easier to peel. Place the chestnuts with the scored side facing up in the air fryer basket.

Soak the chestnuts (optional)

Some recipes suggest soaking the chestnuts in warm or cold water for 10 to 60 minutes before roasting. This is said to make them easier to peel, but some people find it unnecessary. If you do choose to soak them, discard any chestnuts that float, as these may be rotten.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F (175-204°C). The ideal temperature seems to be a matter of some debate, with some sources recommending lower temperatures to ensure even cooking, and others recommending higher temperatures for a faster roast.

Cook the chestnuts

Place the chestnuts in the air fryer basket, scored-side up, and cook for 8-17 minutes. Shake the basket once or twice during cooking to ensure even cooking. The chestnuts are done when the shells are noticeably peeling back and the edges are toasted.

Steam the chestnuts

Once roasted, transfer the hot chestnuts to a clean kitchen towel or paper bag and cover them for about five minutes. This helps to loosen the shells and makes the chestnuts easier to peel.

Peel and serve

Peel the chestnuts while they are still warm, removing both the outer shell and the inner skin. Enjoy your freshly roasted chestnuts as a snack or use them in your favourite recipes!

Frequently asked questions