Masala Peanuts(Air Fryer And Microwave)

Name: Masala Peanuts
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 cups raw peanuts; 1/4 cup besan flour; 2 tbsp rice flour; 1/2 tsp red chili powder; 1/4 tsp turmeric powder; 1/4 tsp garam masala powder; 1/2 tsp chaat masala powder; 2-3 tbsp water; 2 tbsp oil; 2 tsp lemon juice (optional)

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Masala peanuts are as simple and as easy as the name suggests.

A tasty, easy-to-prepare, and crunchy snack prepared with very little oil and no deep frying.

A bowl is with air fried masala peanuts.

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If you are not a fan of cocktail peanuts or spicy peanuts, masala peanuts are an awesome alternative that strikes the balance between the two.

All you need is the spice mix to coat the peanuts and a quick air fry to prepare this snack.

The main ingredient for the masala coating is chickpea flour to get the crispy texture we would expect in salted peanuts.

Prepare them today and munch on them as a movie time snack.

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About this recipe
Ingredients note
Instructions
Air fryer method
Microwave oven method
Recipe FAQ's
Expert tips
Related recipe
📖 Recipe
Comments

About this recipe

This Masala Peanuts recipe is along the lines of masala groundnut from popular brands like "Haldiram" that you can prepare at home to please adults and kids alike.

It takes hardly 10 minutes to prepare and can be stored for weeks in an air-tight container.

That's a great quality for a quick snack recipe. Prepare it once and enjoy it for days as tea-time snacks or starters.

You could also add some chopped onions and green chilies before serving to give that special touch.

I am sharing two methods to prepare masala peanuts: One with an air fryer and another with a microwave oven.

Ingredients note

Masala peanuts ingredients are on the table.

Raw peanuts: Look for sealed bags of raw peanuts with the brown skin still in place. The spice mix tends to stick to the peanuts better with the skin intact.

Besan or gram flour: Besan flour is also known as chickpea flour and gives a crispy coating to peanuts. You could also use all-purpose flour or cornflour if you cannot find besan flour.

Red chilli powder: I have used Kashmiri red chili powder which is not very hot but has a beautiful bright red color. You can use any other red chili powder if you prefer a spicier note.

Rice flour: Rice flour is optional. Using it would help in getting a nice crispy texture to the peanuts.

Salt: Pink or black salt goes better than table salt.

Chaat masala: This is an optional ingredient, but it gives a nice zing to the peanuts.

Lemon juice: Lemon juice is also an optional ingredient, but I like to add a little sourness to the peanuts. You can also add amchur powder (dry mango powder) instead of lemon juice.

See the recipe card for a list of ingredients and quantities, plus recipe instructions. You can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Instructions

Take a big bowl and add raw peanuts, on top of the peanuts add besan or chickpea flour, red chili powder, rice flour, salt to taste, turmeric powder, garam masala powder(optional), and chaat masala powder.

Peanuts are tossed with flours and spices.

Toss it and add oil, water, and lemon juice.

A bowl of peanuts mixture is on the table.

Now mix well and make sure peanuts are coated well. Place it aside for 5 minutes.

Air fryer method

Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes. Brush or spray the air fryer basket with some oil.

Peanut mixture is inside the air fryer basket.

Take the peanuts mixture and place it in the air fryer pan. Make sure that the peanuts are in a single layer and not overlapping.

Air fry at 380 degrees for 5 minutes or until they are crispy. Check them halfway through and give it a shake, if necessary.

Take them out and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Continue the procedure for the remainder of the peanuts.

Crispy masala peanuts are ready for primetime!

Microwave oven method

Spread peanuts on a greased microwave-safe plate and cook on high for about 3 minutes, stirring every 1 minute.

Take it out and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Your own version of haldiram style peanuts is ready!

Enjoy Masala peanuts as tea-time snacks or starters with your favorite beverage. These are also a great snack to have on the go.

Recipe FAQ's

Can I make these Masala peanuts ahead of time?

Yes, you can make them ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

What can I do if my Masala peanuts are not crispy?

If your Masala peanuts are not crispy, you can either cook them for a few more minutes or increase the temperature. Also, make sure that the peanuts are in a single layer and not overcrowded.

Can I use all-purpose flour or cornflour instead of besan flour?

Yes, you can use all-purpose flour or cornflour instead of besan flour.

Can I use another red chili powder instead of Kashmiri red chili powder?

You can use any other red chili powder according to your heat preference.

Expert tips

You can also add some chopped red onions and green chilies before serving to give that special touch and make it a peanut chaat recipe.
If you are not using an air fryer, make sure to stir the peanuts every minute or so while they are cooking in the microwave oven. This will help them cook evenly and become crispy.
Store Masala peanuts in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
You can also deep fry the peanuts instead of using an air fryer for a more indulgent version.
You can sprinkle extra chaat masala and amchur powder on top of these masala peanuts if you are looking for an intense flavor.