When you’re craving a crunchy, salty snack that won’t cause weight gain or other health issues, salted peanuts are an easy and tasty option. They’re also a great alternative to other salty snacks like potato chips or candy bars.
Making salted peanuts can be a fun, quick project that you can do at home to satisfy your cravings. You can choose to roast them in the oven or boil them, and you can even experiment with different flavors to find your favorite.
Roasting the peanuts is a great way to make them more flavorful and add a crunchiness that you won’t get when you buy them at the store. In addition, you can add a savory twist by sprinkling the peanuts with a bit of salt, spices or herbs before roasting or while they’re still warm.
Soaking the peanuts in a brine is another great way to bring out the natural peanut flavors. You can use a simple mixture of water and salt, or you can try a brine with a variety of herbs, spices and other ingredients.
Generally, it takes about 8 hours to soak peanuts in the brine. Stir the peanuts occasionally to ensure they’re fully submerged. Once the peanuts are fully soaked, rinse them well and dry them before you begin cooking.
Once you’ve finished soaking the peanuts, you’ll need to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Spread the peanuts on a baking sheet and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the peanuts are roasted, they’ll become crisp and crunchy and be ready to eat.
If you’re not sure whether or not the peanuts are completely roasted, you can remove them from the oven and test to see if they’re cooked by touching the shell with your fingers. The skin should crackle and the shell should be very hot. If the peanuts aren’t fully roasted, continue cooking them until they’re cooked through.
You can also try baking them in the oven for a longer time, up to about an hour, to get them extra crispy. Once they’re fully roasted, you can enjoy them with your favorite toppings or as a snack all on their own.
The best part about roasted peanuts is that they’re a healthy and delicious option for any diet plan. They’re a source of protein, fiber and healthy fats that will help you feel full and stay energized.
Soaking the peanuts first in a brine is one of the most common methods for preparing peanuts for roasting. The brine helps draw out the water that’s already inside the peanuts, which will then evaporate as they dry in the oven.
This drying process allows the salt to penetrate into the peanuts, allowing the flavors of the brine to permeate them. If you’re not comfortable letting the peanuts soak in a salty brine for an extended period of time, you can always purchase pre-salted shelled peanuts at your local grocery store and just rinse them before using them.