Enjoy these instant pot boiled peanuts as a healthy family snack during game day or movie nights. This spicy and salty snack is made with just a handful of spices, and using the instant pot is a time saver!
My best childhood memories are about growing up as a kid back in Nigeria. I used to be very excited about the rainy season because peanuts would be in season. Women would come out every morning to sell freshly boiled salty and tasty peanuts at their roadside stand. What a tasty treat!
Peanuts also make a tasty school snack and can be boiled in bulk and packed in small baggies for convenient munching. They are also great for road trips or as an easy snack during football season!
Another great thing about this spicy boiled peanuts recipe is that you can season them whichever way you like while cooking them to switch up their flavor. Try the traditional creole or cajun seasoning to give them that original southern taste!
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Carbs in boiled peanuts
This instant pot boiled peanuts recipe has just 8g of carbs. It also has 3g of fiber which brings the total net carbs to 5g net carbs. This is perfect on a low carb diet since boiled peanuts are naturally low in carbs.
Why use an instant pot?
Some people prefer the more traditional method of boiling peanuts in a regular pot on the stovetop, but I find that time-consuming. Instead, I find the easiest way to boil peanuts is using the instant pot pressure cooker.
It is one of the easiest things to cook with an instant pot. Also, it is way more convenient to use since I don't have to monitor it every time. I like to use it for recipes like my shredded beef or pork chops.
The cooking process is also much faster as it cooks in a fraction of the time than the stovetop. The natural pressure release of the instant pot gives the peanuts a perfect texture - not too hard and not too soft. Just the way my family loves it!
Ingredients Used
This delicious recipe calls for very few ingredients.
- Raw peanuts: You can get fresh, raw peanuts, or green peanuts as they are called for their freshness, from your local farmers' markets. You can also get fresh peanuts from your local grocery store or Asian markets. I use a pound of peanuts for this recipe.
- Spices: red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
How to make peanuts in the instant pot
- Rinse the peanuts to get rid of any remaining dirt and drain them in a colander.
- Place the peanuts in the instant pot and add your spices.
- Add a few cups of water, just enough water to cover the peanuts, but don't go over the instant pot max line.
- Place the instant pot trivet to weigh the peanuts down. Peanuts naturally float in water, so you want to make sure they're immersed to boil evenly.
- Set your instant pot to manual mode and set it to high pressure for 70 minutes.
- When it's done, let the instant pot naturally release.
- Drain the peanuts and let them cool down a bit. I use a colander to drain peanuts, and I leave them in for a few minutes to completely drain.
- Crack open and enjoy your peanuts!
How to make peanuts on the stovetop
- You can easily make this healthy snack on the stovetop if you don't have an instant pot.
- Rinse the peanuts in water to get rid of extra dirt and put them into a pot.
- Add enough water to completely cover the peanuts, and then add your spices to it.
- Weigh the peanuts down with a slightly smaller plate than the pot, so the peanuts remain submerged in the water. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil.
- Let it simmer for 2 to 3 hours on low heat while you monitor it. This takes a lot of water to thoroughly cook, so replenish the water as needed.
Make it in the crockpot (slow cooker)
Here, the instructions on boiling peanuts in a crock pot are basically the same, except that you should cook the peanuts for 5 to 6 hours on high heat. Again, monitor and replace the water as needed.
Storing and Reheating
Store boiled peanuts in the fridge for some days or in an air-tight container in the freezer for longer storage. If kept under room temperature, they can quickly go bad due to the moisture in them.
To reheat leftover boiled peanuts, you can either microwave them or heat them on the stovetop. To microwave the peanuts, place them in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a paper towel. Set the timer for about 40 seconds and check them. Keep warming and checking for 30 seconds each till they get to your preferred temperature.
You can also put them in a bowl of water and warm them for about 5 minutes. Be careful! The bowl, water, and peanuts would be hot after this, so handle with care.
To reheat on a stovetop, bring a pot of water to boil and then pour the peanuts in. Once it starts to boil again, turn the heat down and let it simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes. Reheating this way might dilute the taste, so you can add a few of your favorite seasonings while reheating.
Tips and variations
- If you prefer the peanut and the shell to be soft, you can cook it about 10 minutes longer in the instant pot.
- The boiled peanut recipe has a mildly spicy flavor, but you can add more peppers if you like spicy foods.
- Mix up your favorite flavors for a more exciting taste. You can add red chilies, onion powder, or your favorite creole seasoning.
- You can also boil the peanuts with only salt if you don't want any spice in them.
Frequently asked questions
Are peanuts good for you?
Peanuts are very good for you. They contain lots of nutrients and make you feel full for longer, which aids in weight loss. They also have niacin which helps protect against Alzheimer's disease.
What's more, peanuts contain unique antioxidants called isoflavones, which may help reduce the risks of diabetes, cancer, and coronary heart diseases. Boiled peanuts are said to have four times more isoflavones than roasted peanuts.
Do you have to soak raw peanuts before boiling?
No, you don't have to soak raw peanuts before boiling them. You can just go ahead and wash and cook them straight away. Soaking them beforehand is a matter of preference, however. It'll help reduce the cooking time and make the peanuts really soft if that's what you prefer.
Can you overcook boiled peanuts?
It is possible to overcook boiled peanuts. If you leave it on the fire way past the cooking time recommended, the peanuts might get soggy. To know when peanuts are done, the shell should be a little soft, and the peanut inside should no longer be crunchy.
Are peanuts keto-friendly?
Peanuts are indeed keto-friendly, but only when eaten in moderation. They are high in fats and low in carbs, so you can enjoy a decent amount of peanuts from time to time without being kicked out of ketosis. Also, peanuts are a great source of protein and they keep you feeling full.
However, peanuts contain a lot of calories. So eating a moderate portion of peanuts is recommended.
Need more delicious instant pot recipes? Next time, check these out!
Instant Pot Bone-In Pork Chops
Keto Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb raw peanuts
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ cup salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- water enough to cover the peanuts
Instructions
- Rinse the peanuts and drain them in a colander.
- Place the peanuts in the instant pot and add your spices.
- Add enough water to cover them, but don't go over the maximum line.
- Place the instant pot trivet to weigh the peanuts down.
- Set your instant pot to manual mode and set it to high pressure for 70 minutes.
- When it's done, let the instant pot naturally release.
- Drain the peanuts in a colander and let them cool down a bit.
Notes
- If you prefer the peanut and the shell to be soft, you can cook it about 10 minutes longer in the instant pot.
- The boiled peanut recipe has a mildly spicy flavor, but you can add more peppers if you like spicy foods.
- Mix up your favorite flavors for a more exciting taste. You can add red chilies, onion powder, or your favorite creole seasoning.
Nutrition
Tayo Oredola is the founder of Low Carb Africa, where she shares healthy, low carb dishes with global flavors. She is passionate about teaching people how to cook drool-worthy dishes while losing weight and living their best lives. Tayo’s recipes have been featured on MSN, Women’s Health, Parade, Yahoo News, Pure Wow, Essence, and other online publications.
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