Most peanuts that are commercially available in the United States have already been roasted, but if you’ve got some raw peanuts that you’d like to roast quickly, the microwave is your friend.
How to roast peanuts in the microwave
Roasting peanuts in the microwave is a fast and simple way to roast peanuts. This is an overview of how to roast the peanuts and the instructions with measurements is listed below in the recipe card.
- If your peanuts are still in the shell, crack and remove the nut meats, then see above for help removing the skins.
- Put the raw nuts in a flat glass microwave-safe dish in a single layer. We find this easier with a dish that has low sides. For a cup of raw peanuts, add 1/4 cup of water over the peanuts and stir them around to make sure that they are all moist.
- Cook the peanuts on high for 2 minutes. Stir, then cook them for another 2 minutes.
- Remove the peanuts from the dish and spread them out on a clean kitchen towel or cookie sheet. Be sure to spread the peanuts out so that there is plenty of space and that they are not touching one another.
- While the peanuts are hot, sprinkle the peanuts with your seasoning of choice. Toss the peanuts to coat and then spread them out again.
- Allow the peanuts to cool completely before storing in a lidded container. Note that the peanuts may not appear crunchy at first but they should become crunchy after they cool.
Can peanuts be microwaved?
Yes, you can microwave peanuts. You can roast peanuts in the microwave in just a few minutes. The key factor is to shell the peanuts first and we do recommend that you skin the peanuts as well.
Can you eat raw peanuts?
Yes, you can absolutely eat raw peanuts, as long as you aren’t allergic to nuts. It is rare that folks in the US eat raw peanuts because most packaged, commercially available peanuts are roasted already. They won’t have much flavor, which is why people tend to roast them or boil them prior to eating them. Kind of like the difference between a raw and a cooked potato.
How to skin peanuts
We have a few tips for how to remove the skin from peanuts. It isn’t required that you remove the skin of raw peanuts before you roast them but most people do prefer to do so.
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- Step 1: Freeze your shelled raw peanuts. It is best if you put them in the freezer overnight.
- Step 2: Remove a cup of the frozen peanuts from the freezer and lay them in a large handtowel.
- Step 3: Rub the peanuts together in the towel vigorously for about a minute.
- Step 4: Unfold the towel and remove the shelled peanuts. If some of the peanuts still have their shells, fold the towel back up and rub them again.
- Step 5: Continue this process until the peanuts have been skinned. Work in small batches.
What kind of peanuts are best to roast?
It is better to roast the freshest raw peanuts that you can get your hands on. Consider buying raw peanuts in the shell and then shelling them yourself to get the freshest flavor. You can roast any type of raw peanut that you find. If it has skin on, you will most likely decide to remove the skin first.
What spices are good for roasted peanuts?
You can spice roasted peanuts in any way that you would like. Don’t feel shy about experimenting with various flavors. The most popular spice for roasted peanuts is just salt. After that people love honey roasted peanuts.
How to Roast Raw Peanuts in the Microwave
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Ingredients
- 1 c raw unroasted peanuts
- ½ t salt
- 1/4 c water
- Optional: Spice blends or honey for adding while the peanuts are still hot.
Instructions
- Shell and remove the peanut skins. (See above for steps to remove the skins from raw peanuts.)
- Place the peanuts in a flat, low-sided microwave-safe plate in a single layer. Drizzle the water over the peanuts. Stir the peanuts around until all of them are moistened.
- Place the peanuts in the microwave and cook on high for 2 minutes.
- Carefully remove the peanuts from the microwave and stir them. (Be sure to use an oven mitt because the dish will be hot.)
- Place the peanuts back in the microwave and cook on high for 2 minutes.
- Remove the peanuts carefully and spread them out on a pan to allow them to cool. (Be sure to spread them out so that they are not bunched up together.)
- Sprinkle the peanuts with salt.
- Allow them to cool to room temperature.
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