Roasted Chestnuts (Three Ways)

It's the time of year to break out the chestnuts roasting by an open fire. Well, you might not have a fireplace, but you can enjoy roasted chestnuts at home - in three different ways. Whether you roast them in the oven, cook over the stove, or pop them into the air fryer, you won't even be able to tell that they didn't come from a street vender. With a classic, soft texture and rich, sweet, and earthy flavor, homemade chestnuts are an experience everyone should have at least once in their life!

Why You'll Love Roasted Chestnuts

• Warm and cozy taste and texture. There is something about enjoying roasted chestnuts on a cold winter day. They just warm you right up. Kind of like a baked sweet potato, they have a slightly spongy texture with an incredibly sweet and nutty flavor.
• Chestnuts are healthy and nutritious. Chestnuts are packed with essential antioxidants that support heart health, even after roasting! So, this delicious, sweet snack is one you can feel good about eating over and over again.
• Three ways to cook them. Unlike most other nuts, chestnuts cannot be eaten raw. You could try but you will likely get an upset stomach. With this recipe, you can cook them in 3 different ways - roasted in the oven, cooked over the stove, or roasted in air fryer.
• They're ready in about an hour. Roasted chestnuts technically only take about half an hour too cook, but you need to set aside some time for soaking, a quick boil, and cooling. If you ask me, the experience of eating these roasted chestnuts is well worth that small investment in your time.

Ingredients and Equipment

To make easy roasted chestnuts at home, you only need one ingredient: chestnuts. You also need some water to soak them in first. This allows the inside nut to steam during the cooking process (to prevent them from getting burnt) and loosens the skin between the nut and the shell, making the shells easier to remove when eating.

You will also need a cutting board, sharp knife or scissors, mixing bowl, and a kitchen towel. Depending on the cooking method that you choose, you will also need either a quarter sheet baking pan, thick-bottomed saucepan or medium cooking pot, or an air fryer.

How to Make the Best Roasted Chestnuts

1. Score and soak the chestnuts. Place chestnuts on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to make an X-shaped or cross-shaped slit on the top round side of each chestnut. Soak the chestnuts in a mixing bowl of water for at least 20 minutes or longer.
2. Boil. Transfer the chestnuts to a large pot of boiling water, and boil for 5 minutes. Drain the chestnuts well.
3. Cook. Cook them by roasting in the oven, cooking on the stovetop, or in the air fryer.
   • To roast in the oven: Preheat oven to 400F. Place the drained chestnuts in a single layer on a quarter sheet baking pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the shells crack wide open at the scored "X" mark. Chestnuts are done when they smell nutty. 
   • To cook on the stovetop: Place the drained chestnuts in a single layer on a shallow saucepan or medium cooking pot. Close the lid and cook the chestnuts over medium heat for 10 minutes until the shells start to crack open. The water absorbed in the chestnuts from soaking helps to steam the chestnuts, which allows the nuts to expand and crack the shells open. Once all the shells crack open, remove the lid. Turn the heat down to low and continue to cook for another 10-15 minutes (stirring constantly to help cook evenly) and until the chestnuts smell nutty.
   • To cook in the air fryer: Add the drained chestnuts into the air fryer basket and cook at 375F for 25-30 minutes until tender and the shells crack open. Shake the basket halfway to cook them evenly.

4. Rest. Wrap the cooked chestnuts in a kitchen towel and let them sit for 10 minutes. Peel them warm by hand.

How to Serve Roasted Chestnuts

I love eating roasted chestnuts on their own as a warm snack. But they are equally delicious added to other recipes like salads, soups, and stuffing. For a boost of flavor, try adding it to:

• Fall Harvest Salad
• Honey Roasted Carrots
• Butternut Squash Curry
• Roasted Harvest Vegetables
• Roasted Pork Tenderloin

More Snack Recipes

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• Candied Pecans
• Homemade Popcorn
• Baked Apple Chips
• Gingerbread Granola
• No Bake Protein Energy Bites

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