If you are seriously trying to switch to a healthier lifestyle, I am sure an air fryer must have made it to your kitchen by now. It has become the go-to device for people trying to eat and snack healthily. And people are air frying everything from potatoes to okra, and whatnot. People have even started to use the air fryer to roast nuts and seeds, just to avoid the ghee that’s needed for roasting in a pan. It’s easy, quick, and guilt-free.
Roasting nuts and seeds in a pan seems like a pretty easy job, just toss them in the basket, and the work is done. No large pan, no constant stirring, no worrying about burning nuts on the stovetop. But roasting nuts and seeds in an air fryer requires a little bit of a different approach compared to what you would take to roast veggies in an air fryer.
See, nuts are small, light, and cook quickly. They can over-roast in minutes, or in some cases, start flying around the basket. So, here are some rules that you should follow while roasting your nuts and seeds in the air fryer.
Why Nuts Roast So Quickly in an Air Fryer
Nuts already contain natural oils, unlike vegetables. They don’t need any additional fat to brown properly. When they are exposed to heat, these oils begin to release and toast the surface of the nut. That’s what produces the rich roasted flavour.
This is also why nuts cook more quickly than most food that we typically cook in our air fryers. Temperatures that work well for fries or vegetables can easily overcook nuts.
Most nuts roast well between 150–170°C, and often need no more than 5–8 minutes depending on the quantity. Also, remember to shake the basket once or twice in the middle of the process.
Peanuts, Almonds, and Cashews
Peanuts are the easiest nuts to roast in an air fryer. Just spread them in a single layer over a piece of parchment paper and roast them for just 6-8 minutes at around 160°C, shaking the basket halfway through.
Almonds and cashews, on the other hand, need a little bit more attention. Both of these nuts contain higher oil content and can brown quickly. A temperature around 150–160°C usually works well, with cooking times ranging between 5–7 minutes.
Important tip: Once your nuts are cooked, let them stay and cool for a few minutes in the basket itself. They continue to crisp slightly as they cool.
How to Work With Makhanas
Because makhanas are extremely light, the powerful fan inside the air fryer can cause them to move around in the basket, like a tornado. Sometimes, they can even bounce upwards and hit the heating element.
A parchment paper won’t work here; you should use a small air fryer-safe bowl or tray when roasting makhana. This prevents the pieces from scattering while still allowing hot air to circulate them. Cook it at a slightly lower temperature, around 150°C, for 5–6 minutes.
Some Things to Remember
It is better to season nuts after roasting because the spices and powders tend to burn more quickly than the nuts themselves. You can toss freshly roasted nuts with a small amount of oil or melted ghee and then add salt, chilli powder, black pepper or chaat masala. Ghee/oil is completely optional.
Also, work in small batches with nuts and dry fruits. Overfilling the basket prevents proper circulation and can lead to uneven roasting. Make sure you spread them in a thin, even layer over a piece of parchment paper. This also reduces the chances of burning.
Roasting nuts and seeds in an air fryer is one of the easiest ways to prepare a quick and healthy snack for yourself. Just remember that nuts already contain natural oils, which means they cook faster and need lower temperatures than most other snacks.
Keep the heat in check, shake the basket midway, and roast the nuts in small batches. Oh, also, use some parchment paper/ or a bowl when required.
