• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cadry's Kitchen
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Holidays

    Roasted chestnuts in the oven or air fryer

    Published: Dec 20, 2019 · Modified: Feb 18, 2023 by Cadry's Kitchen
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Text overlay: Roasted chestnuts in oven or air fryer. Peeled chestnuts on plate.

    It’s fun & easy to roast chestnuts in the oven or air fryer. It only takes about a half an hour in the oven or 15 minutes in the air fryer.

    Serve roasted chestnuts as a snack on their own. Or add them to your holiday appetizer platter.

    Chestnuts with shell in bowl by red napkin.

    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, 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, you can peel away the shell to the warm chestnut inside.

    Sure, you could buy peeled chestnuts in a vacuum packed container, and leave the cooking to someone else. (And there’s a place for that when you’re using a lot of them in a recipe.)

    But it’s the difference between cracking warm peanuts in the shell like they sing about at baseball games, or grabbing a handful of nuts on your way to the gym. Still delicious, but decidedly more perfunctory.

    And if there’s one thing we could use at this time of year, it’s an excuse to slow down.

    Roast chestnuts in the oven, and enjoy with a glass of vegan eggnog, red wine, or hot cider.

    In this post:

    Jump to:
    • What do they taste like?
    • Where can you find them?
    • How to store uncooked chestnuts
    • How to know if they have gone bad
    • Do you have to soak chestnuts?
    • How to roast chestnuts in the oven
    • Air fryer instructions
    • Ways to use them
    • How to store leftovers
    • Favorite chestnut recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    What do they 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 them?

    Bagged Italian chestnuts on display at Trader Joe's.

    Depending on where you live, chestnuts are sometimes sold at farmers markets.

    They are also sold at natural grocery stores & Trader Joe’s in the weeks before Christmas.

    At my natural grocery store, they typically start selling them in November. At Trader Joe’s this year they didn’t arrive until December.

    They are usually sold 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 store uncooked chestnuts

    Since most chestnuts 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.

    How to know if they have gone bad

    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.

    Do you have to soak chestnuts?

    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.

    How to roast chestnuts in the oven

    Here’s how to make this recipe at a glance. For complete ingredient amounts & instructions, keep scrolling to the recipe card below.

    Chestnuts scored with an X in the shell.

    Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees.

    Lay the flat side of a chestnut on a cutting board. Then use a sharp knife to score an X into each of the shells.

    I find it easiest to cut into them using a serrated knife on the rounded side.

    The reason for scoring them is to ensure that they won’t explode in the oven. It gives them a place to release building pressure & steam.

    (It’s the same reason you poke holes in an air fryer baked potato.)

    Optional step

    Chestnuts soaking in a bowl of water.

    If you’d like to soak the chestnuts, add the scored nuts to a bowl of warm water.

    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 & are a little more moist if they are soaked first.

    However, you can easily skip this step, and the chestnuts will be fine.

    Now it’s time to roast them

    Scored chestnuts on a baking sheet.

    Put the chestnuts on a baking sheet in a single layer.

    Roast them in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

    If yours are especially large, you may need to cook them about five minutes longer.

    As they 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.

    Two cooked chestnuts in the shell by peeled chestnuts.

    To find out if they are done, open one & bite into the chestnut.

    If it is still hard or there’s a feeling of a waxy coating, 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.

    Air fryer instructions

    You can easily cook chestnuts in the air fryer instead of the oven.

    After you cut X’s into the shells, put them into the air fryer basket in a single layer.

    Then air fry at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.

    Ways to use them

    My favorite way to use oven roasted chestnuts is eating them right out of the shell while they are still warm.

    They are also really nice with a vegan cheeseboard.

    When I’m using a lot of them in a recipe, I prefer to buy the kind that are already cooked & peeled. It saves several steps not having to score them, roast them, and then shell them before continuing on with the recipe.

    How to store leftovers

    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.

    Favorite chestnut recipes

    Here are some more of my favorite recipes with chestnuts.

    • Creamy cashew gravy
    • Vegan stuffing
    • Stuffing muffins
    Peeled chestnuts on a plate.

    📖 Recipe

    Chestnuts in a bowl by red napkin.

    Roasted chestnuts in the oven or air fryer

    Author: Cadry Nelson
    5 from 2 votes
    Roasted chestnuts aren't just for Christmas carols! You can also make them part of your holiday traditions with this easy recipe.
    Simply roast them in the oven or cook in the air fryer. Then break into a warm, delicious treat.
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Italian, Vegan
    Keyword: christmas food idea, how to roast chestnuts
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

    Notes

    *Many people recommend soaking scored chestnuts for anywhere from a minute or two to over an hour before cooking.
    The peel comes off of chestnuts 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.
    Store peeled chestnuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for 3 or 4 days.
    Subscribe to Cadry’s KitchenSign up today! JOIN BY CLICKING HERE

    Nutrition

    Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 549mg | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

    Originally posted January 4, 2010. Content updated October 25, 2022. 

    More Holidays

    • Bowl of plant-based chicken noodle soup with crackers.
      One pot vegan chicken noodle soup
    • Air fryer radishes on white plate by cashew parmesan and salt.
      Air fryer radishes with vegan parmesan
    • Olive oil drizzling off of bread into bowl.
      Simple olive oil bread dip
    • Toasted bagel sandwich with vegan cream cheese, Impossible sausage, and Just Egg.
      Vegan bagel breakfast sandwich
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Patsu

      December 06, 2020 at 10:56 am

      I love chestnuts I put some butter on them that’s the way my mom and dad are them so good

      Reply
    2. David

      December 21, 2019 at 10:44 am

      5 stars
      I’ve no idea why chestnuts are not eaten year-round – they are sooooo delicious!

      Reply
      • Cadry

        December 21, 2019 at 1:45 pm

        It’s a good reason to enjoy them while they’re around! I’m glad you’re a fan too.

        Reply
      • Ewa

        December 15, 2020 at 10:14 am

        400 degree of what ? F or C

        Reply
        • Cadry

          December 15, 2020 at 10:25 am

          Fahrenheit.

          Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Cadry!

    I’m a longtime vegan. (16 years!) But I grew up eating a Standard American Diet. I know that all of us crave foods that are familiar, comforting, and delicious.

    That’s why it’s my passion to share mouthwatering plant-based recipes that taste like home.

    More about me →

    Summer recipes

    • Vegan banh mi on white marble.
      Vegan bánh mì sandwich
    • Bruschetta al pomodoro on platter & garnished with basil.
      Bruschetta al pomodoro: Tomato bruschetta
    • Hand holding cashew kale shake with glass straw.
      Creamy cashew kale smoothie with banana
    • Pickle hummus on table with tortilla chips.
      Irresistible dill pickle hummus

    Cookouts & picnics

    • Collard greens with cranberries on plate by baked potato and vegan chicken strips.
      Smoky sweet vegan collard greens
    • Platter of tofu satay skewers.
      Tofu satay with peanut sauce (air fryer or baked)
    • Saucy BBQ jackfruit sandwich on table speared with a pepperoncini.
      BBQ jackfruit sandwiches
    • Pasta salad with fresh basil in blue bowl.
      Bowtie pasta salad with chickpeas & artichokes

    Air fryer recipes

    • A baked potato topped with chives and non-dairy butter on plate.
      Air fryer baked potato in about 35 minutes
    • Text overlay: 50 vegan air fryer recipes. Collage with fried pickles, onion rings, BBQ Soy Curls, and taquitos.
      50 vegan air fryer recipes you will love
    • Tahini dressing drizzled on baked tofu with kale chips and avocado.
      Baked tofu bowls with rice & crispy kale
    • Breaded pickle slices on plate with ranch dressing.
      Beer battered fried pickles in air fryer or pan
    Logos for sites where Cadry Nelson & Cadry's Kitchen have been featured.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Meet Cadry
    • Work with me

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Cadry's Kitchen