Air Fryer Roasted Peanuts (Mexican)

One mouthful of these Air Fryer Mexican Masala Roasted Peanuts is like having a party in your mouth! You can have Mexican flavoured peanuts ready in minutes when using the air fryer. We love this delicious combination of paprika, oregano, and lemon juice.  I suggest making a few batches as they will finish fast!

Nuts are one of my go-to snacks! I always keep a little sandwich bag of nuts in my handbag at all times because I just know that cravings will hit! More often than not, it will be a batch of plain nuts but recently I have been loving experimenting with different flavours. 

This particular recipe is one that my Mum posted on the blog back in 2013. 

These nuts are:

✅An easy and quick snack

✅Gluten-free

✅Dairy-free

✅Vegan!

✅Good shelf-life 

Since the arrival of air-fryers in our kitchen, we have been able to explore a different style of cooking. We were so surprised at the versatility of the air-fryer and how so many different recipes can be adapted and made in the air fryer!

Why you should Air Fry your snacks

We have totally jumped on the Ary Frying trend and have been reaping the benefits!

✅Air Fried food:

✅Has fewer calories than deep-fried

✅Uses less oil than deep-fried or shallow fried food

✅More often than not, it is usually quicker to make

✅Retains delicious flavour and texture

Some recipes where the air fryer works wonders are, Tandoori Paneer Tarte au Soleil, Rose and Pistachio Puff Pastry Cream Horns and Chilli, Garlic and Lime Mogo Chips 

Have you tried Tiktok Air fryer Pasta Chips? It's a delicious and fun recipe that everyone will enjoy 🙂

One of mine and my brother's favourite snack is these Air fryer Banana Chips, just can't stop munching as soon they are made.

One of our family favourites, this Air Fryer Cheesy Potatoes are simply irresistible, packed with Mexican flavours.

Ingredients for Mexican Masala Roasted Peanuts:

🥜Peanuts - use raw or blanched. If using raw with skin see below how to skin peanuts easily. 

🥜Oil - any oil without its own strong flavor works well here

🥜Salt to taste

🥜Lemon juice or ½ teaspoon citric acid or lemon crystals ( in Gujarati AKA Limboo na phool)

🥜Mexican seasoning or taco seasoning - easy to buy from the supermarket or make your own. See below for the recipe

🥜Black pepper powder freshly ground black pepper

🥜Cream cheese powder - this is optional. Use if you want a more creamy and cheesy flavor to the nuts. If you want to keep this recipe vegan skip it. 

Homemade Taco/Mexican seasoning

• Chilli powder (you can vary the amount to suit here, depending on whether you want a very spicy Mexican seasoning or not)
• Garlic powder (you can substitute with slightly less garlic salt, but you probably won't need to add any salt to the mixture)
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Smoked paprika
• Ground cumin
• Cinnamon powder
• Salt & pepper

Mix everything and use it in the desired recipe.

How to remove Peanut skin easily 

To remove the skin of the peanuts you must roast or toast peanuts first, without this step, you won't be able to remove raw peanuts skin very quickly. 

You can roast peanuts 3 ways, over the stovetop in a normal frying pan, in the microwave or in the oven. 

You can use either red or pink peanuts

1. Stovetop method - take peanuts in a frying pan, and dry roast on low to medium heat until the peanuts start changing their colour, the aroma starts wafting and the skin starts tearing. Keep stirring all the time using a spatula.  This will take around 8-10 minutes.

2. Microwave method - Roast peanuts in M/W for 3-4 minutes on HIGH in one layer. Every minute pause and check. Let it cool for 8-10 minutes.

3.Oven method - Spread the raw peanuts in a rimmed baking pan and place them in at gas mark 4 350F/180C, oven for about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Once the peanuts are cool at room temperature and can be handled, rub the nuts between your hands or tea towel. Discard the skin and use roasted peanuts in the desired recipe. 

This will affect the cooking time of these flavoured nuts as they are already slightly roasted. Around 3-4 minutes in the Air Fryer should be enough.

These moreish peanuts pair so well with cocktails, mocktails or soft drinks, if you're looking for some non-alcoholic or kid-friendly drink recipes have a look at our Virgin Cardamom Mojito. 

Anyone in the family a fan of James bond movies and apples? Serve this light and crispy Non-alcoholic Green Apple Martini.

How do I get seasoning stick to roasted nuts?

There is nothing worse than preparing a finger-licking seasoning just for all of it to fall off during the roasting process!

There are a few easy solutions to this!

Oil is great at getting the seasoning to stick to nuts. Simply add a spoon of oil to the mixture. Careful not to add too much oil as the nuts contain their own and will release once they begin to warm.

Water can also help the seasoning to stick. The water will help the seasoning stay on the nuts and as the nuts heat, the natural oil will take over

Honey is also a good option if you want a little sweetness to the nuts.

Variations

Great part of these Air fryer peanuts is that you can make and enjoy whatever flavour you fancy each time. We love to make different batches with various spices blends.

Salt and Pepper - Can't go wrong with this one, everyone will love it! Raw Peanuts + Salt + Freshly ground Black Pepper

Spicy Indian Peanuts - My dad's go-to snack, he would make it himself. You'll need Raw Peanuts (we like to use jumbo or extra jumbo peanuts) but regular works fine too. Plus  Chaat Masala  , Red Chilli Powder or Cayenne Chilli Pepper and salt. (you may add little powdered sugar if you like, it tastes sooo good)

Honey and Chilli - Raw Peanuts + Honey + Chilli flakes + Salt (not suitable for vegans)

Spicy Cajun Seasoned Peanuts - Raw Peanuts + Cajun seasoning + Cayenne Pepper + Salt

Pub style Roasted Peanuts - Raw peanuts + Cayenne Pepper + Garlic Powder (not granules) + Salt + Sugar (powdered)

Piri Piri Roasted Peanuts - A delicious spicy spice mix from South Africa, Raw peanuts + Piri Piri seasoning + Salt 

Masala Peanuts - Add finely chopped onion, green chilli and tomato in air fryer roasted peanuts. 

Add little red chilli powder, salt along with lemon juice. Garnish it with fresh cilantro/coriander leaves and enjoy healthy and tangy treats anytime of the day.

You will need to mix the spices of your choice and 1tablespoon oil (or spray oil) and toss your roasted air fried peanuts in these.

How to roast peanuts in the air fryer

See the recipe card for the microwave, oven, and stovetop methods below. 

👉 Preheat the Air Fryer for 5 minutes at 160C.

👉 Add the nuts, all the spices, and oil to a large bowl.

👉 Mix thoroughly

👉 Place a sheet of parchment in the air fryer tray and transfer the nuts into the tray.

👉 Air Fry for 8-10 minutes at 160C

👉 Keep a check on the nuts to ensure the nuts or seasoning does not burn.

👉Leave to cool before eating

Spicy Indian Masala Air Fryer Roasted Peanuts

Storage:

These nuts can be stored in an air-tight container for around 10-15 days. This is not a freezer-friendly recipe. 

Liked this Mexican Masala Roasted Peanuts recipe? you may enjoy trying our other roasted nuts recipes too!

1. Indian Masala Mixed Nuts

2. Spiced Rosemary Almonds

3. Lemon and Black Pepper Peanuts

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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