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