Chestnuts are a classic winter ingredient used in both sweet and savory dishes. Their sweet, nutty flavor pairs perfectly with rich holiday flavors. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook chestnuts in 3 different ways
1. How To Cook Chestnuts
1.1. How To Roast Chestnuts in Oven
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chestnuts (fresh)
- Water
Instructions
Start by preparing the chestnuts. Using a sharp knife, make a small, shallow X-shaped incision on the flat side of each chestnut.
Place the chestnuts in a bowl and cover them with water. Allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Place the soaked, scored chestnuts on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Roast 25-30 minutes.
After 15 minutes, check the nuts for doneness. Use a knife to poke into the largest nut. If soft all the way through, they are done.
Once roasted, wrap the hot nuts in a kitchen towel for 2-3 minutes. This helps loosen the skins. Peel while still warm.
1.2. How To Roast Chestnuts in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chestnuts (fresh)
- Water
Instructions
Start by preparing the chestnuts. Using a sharp knife, make a small, shallow X-shaped incision on the flat side of each chestnut.
Place the chestnuts in a bowl and cover them with water. Allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
Drain the soaked chestnuts and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
Place the chestnuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded to allow for proper air circulation.
Cook the chestnuts in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket or rotating the chestnuts halfway through cooking. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and freshness of the chestnuts, so it’s best to keep a close eye on them.
After the cooking time, carefully remove the chestnuts from the air fryer. They will be hot, so use oven mitts or tongs for handling.
Let the chestnuts cool slightly before peeling. The outer shell and inner skin should be easier to remove after air frying.
Peel the chestnuts by gently pulling away the outer shell and inner skin. The cooked chestnuts should be soft and tender on the inside.
Enjoy the air-fried chestnuts while they are warm. They can be eaten as is or used in various recipes and dishes.
1.3. How To Boil Chestnuts
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chestnuts (fresh)
- Water
Instructions
Start by preparing the chestnuts. Using a sharp knife, make a small, shallow X-shaped incision on the flat side of each chestnut.
Place the chestnuts in a bowl and cover them with water. Allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour.
Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Then add the soaked, scored chestnuts. Make sure they are fully submerged in the water.
Boil for 15-20 minutes until tender when pierced with a knife.
Drain and let chestnuts cool just until safe to handle. Peel off the outer skin while still warm.
Now, you know how to cook chestnuts perfectly. I hope that after reading this article, you can unlock the sweet, irresistible flavor of chestnuts any time of the year
