Masala Peanuts are a spicy, crunchy snack made with peanuts coated in gram flour (besan), rice flour, and Indian spices. They can be quickly prepared in the microwave or air fryer in just a few minutes, making them a perfect tea-time snack. These homemade masala peanuts are so much fresher and tastier than store-bought ones!
When I found this 3-minute microwave spicy masala peanuts recipe on YouTube, I just had to try it. It's perfect for making a small batch without the hassle of heating oil in a Kadai. Plus, it’s a low-fat version of masala peanuts, using just a little oil in the microwave. I have also shared below how to make masala peanuts in the Air Fryer.
This Haldiram-style spicy masala peanut is sure to become a favorite snack for both kids and adults. It takes just a few minutes to prepare and can be stored in an airtight container for weeks.
You can also use masala peanuts to make a healthy and delicious masala peanut chaat, which is perfect for a tea-time snack. You may like my other healthy snacks, such as air fryer roasted peanuts, air fryer roasted chickpeas, and congress kadlekai.
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How to Make Masala Peanuts in the microwave within 3 minutes.
Take a bowl, and add 2 tablespoons gram flour (besan), 1 tablespoon rice flour, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, ¼ teaspoon hing, ½ teaspoon chaat masala, and salt to taste. Mix them well and keep them aside.
In another bowl, take ½ cup raw peanuts. Now add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and mix it well.
Add the prepared gram flour-rice flour mixture and toss the peanuts using a spoon until they are evenly coated.
Add 1 teaspoon of oil and mix again.
Sprinkle a little water at a time and mix well until each peanut is coated well with the masala.
Take a microwave-safe bowl and lightly grease the bottom with oil. Transfer a portion of the coated peanuts into the bowl, spreading them out in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Avoid stacking them on top of each other.
Add 1-2 teaspoons oil on top of the peanuts and place the bowl in the microwave on high for 1 Minute.
Stir the peanuts after 1 minute to ensure even cooking, then place them back in the microwave for another 2 minutes.
Allow these peanuts to cool down. As they cool down, they become crunchier. Besan masala peanuts are ready to serve.
Note: If they are not cooked, you can microwave for another 60-90 seconds.
Air Fryer Masala Peanuts
To make Masala Peanuts in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer 360°F (180°C).
Brush or spray the air fryer basket with some oil. Then, spread the masala-coated peanuts in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded for even cooking.
Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 4 minutes or until they turn slightly golden and crispy, shaking the basket halfway through for even roasting.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve masala peanuts as a tea-time snack with a hot cup of adrak wali chai or masala chai.
- I also use masala peanuts to make a delicious and healthy masala peanuts chaat.
- You can also pair it with lemonade, mocktails, and cocktails for a refreshing snack.
- You can also top them on Indian salads, poha, for extra crunch.
Expert Tips
- Add water gradually while mixing the flour with peanuts—do not add too much at once. The mixture should be thick enough to coat the peanuts properly and stay on them without dripping.
- Microwave the peanuts in 2-3 batches. Do not overfill the microwave dish.
- The addition of spices is true of your choice. You can add amchur powder, and fennel powder too.
- The same recipe can be used to make masala cashews or masala almonds.
- If you do not want to microwave you can use a prepared mixture and deep fry in the oil on medium-low heat so that they get cooked till inside and become crunchy.
- Timing varies from microwave to microwave.
Storage Suggestions
You can store it for up to 1-2 weeks in an airtight container at room temperature.
More Indian Snack Recipes
Masala Peanuts - (Microwave, Air fryer)
Ingredients
- ½ cup raw peanuts (groundnuts)
- 2 tablespoons besan (gram flour) (or chickpea flour)
- 1 tablespoon rice flour
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon hing/asafetida
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon chaat masala
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- oil as required
- salt to taste
Instructions
Microwave Method:
- Take a bowl, and add gram flour, rice flour, red chili powder ,turmeric powder, hing, chat masala and salt as per taste. Mix them well and keep aside.
- In another bowl take peanuts. Now add lemon juice and mix it well.
- Add the prepared gram flour-rice flour mixture and toss the peanuts using a spoon until they are evenly coated.
- Add a teaspoon of oil and mix again.
- Sprinkle little water at a time and mix well until each peanut is coated well with masala.
- Take a microwave-safe bowl and lightly grease the bottom with oil. Transfer a portion of the coated peanuts into the bowl, spreading them out in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Avoid stacking them on top of each other.
- Add 1-2 teaspoon oil on top of peanuts and place the bowl in microwave on high for 1 Minute.
- Stir the peanuts after 1 minute to ensure even cooking, then place them back in the microwave for another 2 minutes.
- Allow these peanuts to cool down after 2 minutes. As they cool down they become more crunchier.
- Masala peanuts are ready and serve with hot chai.
Air Fryer Masala Peanuts
- To make Masala Peanuts in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer 360°F (180°C).Brush or spray the air fryer basket with some oil. Then, spread the masala-coated peanuts in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded for even cooking.Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 4 minutes or until they turn slightly golden and crispy, shaking the basket halfway through for even roasting.
Notes
- Add water gradually while mixing the flour with peanuts—do not add too much at once. The mixture should be thick enough to coat the peanuts properly and stay on them without dripping.
- Microwave the peanuts in 2-3 batches. Do not overfill the microwave dish.
- The addition of spices is true of your choice. You can add amchur powder, and fennel powder too.
- The same recipe can be used to make masala cashews or masala almonds.
- If you do not want to microwave you can use a prepared mixture and deep fry in the oil on medium-low heat so that they get cooked till inside and become crunchy.
- Timing varies from microwave to microwave.
Nutrition
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Cynthia.T
Too good. Easy and healthy. Thank you
bhavana
thanks cynthia,glad you liked it 🙂
SK
This is great. No need to deep fry?
bhavana
Yes SK,comes out good ,no deep fry...check the video for coating the peanuts most important thing
Sujata
Hi, I came here by chance and see that You have an excellent recipe collection. Congratulations and Thank you for sharing !
bhavana
Thank you sujatha