It's fun & easy to roast chestnuts in the air fryer or oven. Serve roasted chestnuts as a snack on their own. Or add them to your holiday appetizer platter.
For many of us, roasting chestnuts is something that only occurs in Christmas carols over an open fire.
But there's no reason that has to be the case!
Once you know how to roast chestnuts in the oven or air fryer, there's something uniquely festive about it. In just a half an hour, the house is filled with their nutty scent.
While they're still warm, peel away the shell, and enjoy with a glass of vegan eggnog, red wine, or hot cider.
In this post:
What do chestnuts taste like?
Chestnuts have a mild flavor in the general wheelhouse of a walnut. The texture is similar to chickpeas or boiled potatoes.
They're dense and slightly chewy. They are higher in starch than most nuts and very filling.
Where can you find fresh chestnuts?
Depending on where you live, chestnuts are sometimes sold at farmers markets. (A great place to look for the freshest chestnuts!)
They are also available at natural grocery stores and Trader Joe's in the weeks before Christmas. You can typically find them in late November or early December in plastic clamshells or mesh bags.
For best results, look for nuts that are even in color with a bit of a shine. Avoid them if they are dingy or cracked.
How to roast chestnuts in the oven
This section shows how to make this recipe at a glance with process photos of the steps. For complete ingredient amounts & instructions, keep scrolling to the recipe card below.
1. Use a sharp knife to score an X into each of the chestnut shells. (I find it easiest to cut into them using a serrated knife on the rounded side.)
It’s important to score the chestnuts, so that they can release building pressure, steam, and not explode in the oven.
2. (Optional step) If you like, add the scored chestnuts to a bowl of warm water, and soak for a few minutes or up to an hour. Then remove them from the bowl and dry them on a clean kitchen towel.
They come out of their shell a little bit easier and are a little more moist if they are soaked first. However, you can easily skip this step, and the chestnuts will be fine.
3. Put the chestnuts on a baking sheet, and roast in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. As the chestnuts cook, their peels will spread slightly. This will make them easier to break open. When they’re ready, remove both the shells and the papery peel inside.
Air fryer instructions
To air fry the chestnuts instead: Score the chestnuts with an X, soak them in water (optional), then put them into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.
Remember: Every air fryer runs differently. Times given are a general recommendation and should be tested in your own air fryer. Adjust as needed.
Serving ideas for chestnuts
My favorite way to enjoy oven roasted or air fried chestnuts is right out of the shell while they are still warm.
They are also really nice on a vegan holiday charcuterie board.
When I'm using a lot of them in a recipe (like in chestnut stuffing or chestnut gravy), I prefer to buy them pre-cooked and peeled.
It saves several steps not having to score them, roast them, and then shell them before continuing on with the recipe.
Storage instructions
Oven-roasted chestnuts are a little easier to peel when they are still warm. So I recommend peeling all of the nuts before storing.
Then put the cooked chestnuts in a sealed container, and refrigerate them.
They should be used within three or four days.
FAQ
Since most chestnuts sold in stores have been shipped from Italy or China, they have already made a significant dip into their shelf life. So I recommend using them as soon as possible after picking them up from the grocery store.
If you can’t use them right away, keep them in a dry, cool place. Or freeze them in their whole shells for up to four months.
Start by giving a chestnut a shake. If you hear a jiggling inside, it's most likely dried up and no longer good.
The other way to know if they are past their prime is by cooking them. As you're opening the nut, keep an eye out for any moldy spots. If a chestnut contains mold, you'll want to throw that one away.
Many people recommend soaking scored chestnuts for anywhere from a minute or two to over an hour before cooking.
The peel comes off of them a little bit easier if they are soaked first. And they're a little more moist.
However, I've found the difference to be minimal. So it's up to you if you want to take the extra time or not. I usually don’t.
It’s very important to score the chestnuts before roasting or air frying. Otherwise, they can burst from steam pressure. Cutting a deep X into each shell prevents this. And it makes peeling easier.
Favorite chestnut recipes
Here are some more of my favorite recipes with chestnuts.
If you try this recipe and love it, let me know! Leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comment section below. It truly makes my day and is such a help!
📖 Recipe
Roasted chestnuts: Quick & easy oven or air fryer method
Ingredients
- 1 pound chestnuts in shell
- Water for soaking (optional)
Instructions
- If roasting in the oven, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. If air frying, you don't need to preheat.
- Lay the flat side of a chestnut on a cutting board. Then use a sharp knife to score an X into each of the chestnut shells. I find it easiest to cut into chestnuts using a serrated knife. This is to ensure that the chestnuts won't explode in the oven.
- Optional step*: Chestnuts come out of their shell a little bit easier & are a little more moist if they are soaked first. However, you can easily skip this step, and the chestnuts will be fine.If you'd like to soak them, add the scored chestnuts to a bowl of warm water that's deep enough to cover them. Soak for a few minutes or up to an hour. Then remove them from the bowl and dry them.
- TO ROAST IN OVEN: Put the chestnuts on a baking sheet. Roast them in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. If your chestnuts are especially large, you may need to cook them about five minutes longer.As the chestnuts cook, their peels will spread slightly. This will make them easier to break open. Before eating them, you'll want to remove both the shells and the papery peel inside.To find out if the chestnuts are done, open one & bite into the chestnut. If the chestnut is still hard or feels waxy, it's not done yet. Once fully cooked, the texture should be a similar to a walnut or cooked chickpea. If they aren't done yet, pop the chestnuts back into the oven and continue cooking for about five minutes more.
- TO AIR FRY: Put scored chestnuts into the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.To find out if the chestnuts are done, open one & bite into the chestnut. If the chestnut is still hard or feels waxy, it's not done yet. Once fully cooked, the texture should be a similar to a walnut or cooked chickpea. If they aren't done yet, continue air frying until the chestnut meat has softened.
Watch how to make it
Notes
Nutrition
Content updated November 29, 2025. Originally posted January 4, 2010.
Patsu
I love chestnuts I put some butter on them that’s the way my mom and dad are them so good
David
I’ve no idea why chestnuts are not eaten year-round – they are sooooo delicious!
Cadry
It’s a good reason to enjoy them while they’re around! I’m glad you’re a fan too.
Ewa
400 degree of what ? F or C
Cadry
Fahrenheit.