How to Use an Air Fryer to Fry Groundnuts | Perfectly Crispy, Oil-Free & Easy

Every product is independently reviewed and selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

If you’ve ever wanted to make perfectly crunchy, roasted groundnuts (peanuts) without using much oil or standing over a hot pan, your air fryer is your new best friend. Using an air fryer to fry groundnuts gives you beautiful, evenly roasted nuts with less mess, less oil, and quicker results.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use an air fryer to fry groundnuts step-by-step, plus expert tips to get that unbeatable, nutty flavor and crunch every single time.

Why Air Frying Groundnuts Tastes So Delicious

Air fryers cook food by circulating hot air around it, kind of like a high-speed convection oven. This process:

• Mimics deep-frying but uses little to no oil.
• Roasts groundnuts evenly because the air circulates 360°.
• Saves time and energy compared to using an oven.
• Prevents burns that often happen in traditional stovetop roasting.

The result? Golden-brown, crispy groundnuts with rich aroma, perfect crunch, and less oil—ideal for snacking, making peanut butter, garnishing dishes, or blending into sauces.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need much to begin, and that’s the beauty of this method.

Tools & Equipment:

• Air fryer (any brand or size will work—adjust for capacity)
• Bowl (to mix and season the groundnuts)
• Measuring cups or scale
• Wooden or silicone spatula (for stirring midway)

Ingredients:

• Raw groundnuts (peanuts) – 1–2 cups, with or without skin
• Oil (optional) – ½ teaspoon per cup for extra flavor (use olive oil, peanut oil, or vegetable oil)
• Salt – to taste
• Optional seasonings – chili powder, garlic salt, smoked paprika, or honey (after cooling)

Pro tip: The fresher the groundnuts, the better the flavor. Avoid old or discolored nuts—they’ll taste stale no matter how well you air fry them.

How to Use an Air Fryer to Fry Groundnuts

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

• Preheat your air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for about 3–5 minutes.
• This helps the groundnuts roast evenly from the start, just like preheating an oven.

Step 2: Prepare the Groundnuts

• Rinse the raw groundnuts briefly and pat them completely dry with a clean towel.
• Slightly damp groundnuts won’t roast evenly and may steam instead.
• In a bowl, toss your groundnuts with a few drops of oil (optional) and salt. Coat evenly.

Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket

• Place the groundnuts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. (A little overlap is fine, but avoid crowding.)
• If you’re making a big batch, do it in two rounds so each nut gets enough airflow.

Step 4: Air Fry the Groundnuts

• Set your air fryer to 160°C (320°F) and roast for 10–15 minutes, depending on size and quantity.
• Shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even roasting.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

• After 10 minutes, open and check whether the nuts are light golden brown and smell fragrant.
• Remember—they’ll continue to cook slightly after you remove them due to residual heat.

Step 6: Cool Completely

• Transfer the hot groundnuts to a flat tray or plate and let them cool for at least 15 minutes before tasting.
• This cooling phase helps them crisp up and reach their final crunch.

Pro Tips & Best Practices

• Always shake or stir mid-cook – The nuts at the bottom brown faster, so shaking helps them all roast evenly.
• Avoid too much oil – The air fryer method amplifies natural oils in peanuts, so a light coating (or none at all) is best.
• Watch closely near the end – Groundnuts can go from perfectly roasted to burnt within a minute.
• Use medium heat (160°C/320°F) – Higher temperatures can cause uneven browning or a bitter taste.
• Store properly – Once cooled, keep in an airtight jar. They’ll stay crisp for 1–2 weeks at room temperature or longer in the fridge.
• Flavor after roasting – Add seasonings like chili, sugar, honey, or lime once the nuts have cooled to preserve crunch and taste.

Questions About Air Frying Groundnuts

1. Can I roast shelled or unshelled groundnuts in the air fryer?

Yes, but shelled groundnuts (without skins) roast faster. If using groundnuts still in their shells, increase the roasting time to about 18–20 minutes at 160°C (320°F).

2. Do I need to soak groundnuts before air frying?

No. Soaking adds unnecessary moisture. Just rinse and dry them completely before air frying.

3. What temperature should I use for really crispy groundnuts?

Stick to 160°C (320°F). You can increase to 170°C (340°F) for the last 2 minutes if you like extra crunch—just monitor to prevent burning.

4. Can I use roasted (store-bought) groundnuts to reheat or re-crisp them?

Definitely. Air fry at 150°C (300°F) for 4–5 minutes to revive softness and bring back that fresh-roasted aroma.

5. How do I make spicy or sweet air-fried groundnuts?

After roasting and cooling, toss them with a mix of honey and chili powder, or your favorite spice blend. Return to the air fryer for 2 minutes at 150°C (300°F) to set the coating.

6. Why do my groundnuts taste bitter after air frying?

They may have over-roasted. Always shake the basket frequently and check color—light brown is perfect, dark brown verges on burnt.

When Not to Use the Air Fryer Method

While air frying groundnuts is convenient, it’s not ideal in every situation:

• If you need large quantities (for commercial use)—an oven is more efficient for big batches.
• If your air fryer basket is small, avoid overcrowding as it leads to uneven roasting.
• If using very old or moldy groundnuts, discard them—no cooking method can fix the taste or potential aflatoxin risk.

Alternative Methods for Frying Groundnuts

If you don’t have an air fryer, there are other ways:

• Stovetop (traditional method) – Roast raw groundnuts on low flame in a heavy pan, stirring constantly for 10–15 minutes. However, this requires more attention and can easily burn if unattended.
• Oven roasting – Spread groundnuts on a baking tray and roast at 170°C (340°F) for 15–20 minutes. Ideal for big batches but slower and less energy-efficient.

The air fryer combines the advantages of both methods: even roasting + time efficiency.

Conclusion: The Easiest Way to Fry Groundnuts, Crisp, Healthy & Hassle-Free

Knowing how to use an air fryer to fry groundnuts can completely change the way you snack or cook. You get the satisfying crunch and deep roasted flavor without extra oil or constant stirring, and cleanup is a breeze.

Simply:

• Preheat
• Add groundnuts
• Shake halfway
• Cool completely

That’s all you need for the perfect batch of crunchy, golden air-fried groundnuts.

Use this method to make healthy snacks, enrich your recipes, or prepare homemade peanut butter the smarter, cleaner way.