Boiled peanuts are a classic Southern snack that’s both delicious and simple to make, especially with the help of an Instant Pot. This Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts recipe brings the traditional roadside stand snack into your kitchen, offering a salty, spicy, and super satisfying treat perfect for game day or any day.
❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Forget the traditional method that takes hours; your Instant Pot cuts the cooking time to a fraction, making it one of the easiest things you can whip up.
- Deliciously Spicy and Salty: With the perfect blend of Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and other spices, these peanuts are packed with flavor.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s football season, a road trip, or just a casual day at home, these boiled peanuts are the perfect snack.
- Customizable: Love your snacks with a bit more kick? Adjust the spices to your liking. It’s all about personal preference here.
- A Taste of the South: Bring the classic southern snack from roadside stands and gas stations into your home with this easy recipe.
- Nostalgic: This recipe takes me back to road trips in the south, and I know for some it’s childhood memories. We don’t have anything like this in the UK so I just had to recreate the iconic taste!
🗝️ Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Raw Peanuts in Their Shells: The star of the show. Fresh green peanuts are preferred for their moisture content, but if you can’t find them, raw peanuts in their shell from grocery stores or farmers markets are your next best bet (and what I used here).
- Cayenne Pepper and Cajun Seasoning: These provide the heat and Southern charm. Feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your taste or substitute with Creole seasoning for a different spicy kick.
- Dried Chilis: They add an extra layer of spicy flavor. If you don’t have dried chilis, red pepper flakes can be a good alternative.
- Garlic Cloves: For that aromatic depth. If you’re out, a bit of garlic powder can do the trick in a pinch.
- Salt: It’s essential for the briny, salty water that peanuts need. Sea salt or even a pink Himalayan salt works, depending on your preference for salt flavor.
- Water: Enough to make sure the peanuts are well submerged. The amount of water can vary based on the size of your Instant Pot.
🥣 How to Make Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts
1. Setting Up Your Instant Pot
Kicking things off, get all those tasty ingredients into your Instant Pot. Mix them up well to ensure those peanuts are getting a good seasoning bath. Now, to make sure those peanuts stay under and cook evenly, you’ll want to place a heat-proof dish right on top and fill it with water. A springform cake pan? Perfect fit and no sweat to set up.
2. Sealing the Deal
With all the goodies in the pot, it’s time to lock it down. Snap the lid on and make sure the release valve is pointed to “sealing.” This step is super important because it’s what makes the Instant Pot do its pressure-cooking magic.
3. Cooking Time
Hit the “High Pressure” setting and set your timer for 75 minutes. This is the golden timeframe to get those peanuts just right – soft, a bit chewy, and packed with flavor.
4. Finishing Up
When the beep tells you it’s done, don’t rush. Do a natural pressure release for about 10 minutes. It’s like a little rest period for your peanuts to get them perfectly finished. After that, switch the quick release valve to “Venting,” stand back a bit, and let any remaining steam escape. Then, it’s the moment of truth – open the lid, remove the dish with tongs, stir up those perfectly cooked peanuts, and serve them up for a snack that’s sure to hit the spot.
🪄 Recipe Notes & Tips
- Natural Release is Key: Allowing the electric pressure cooker to naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes after cooking is crucial. It helps in finishing the cooking process and ensures the peanuts are perfectly tender.
- Adjust Spices to Taste: Feel free to tweak the amount of cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and dried chilis according to your spice preference. Making it your own is half the fun!
- Water Level: Make sure there’s enough water to completely submerge the peanuts. This might vary depending on the size of your Instant Pot, but generally, a couple of inches above the peanuts should do the trick.
- Sealing Position: Double-check that the release valve is set to the “sealing” position before starting the pressure cooking process to ensure proper cooking.
- Serving Suggestion: These peanuts are best enjoyed warm, right out of the pot. However, they’re also surprisingly good at room temperature, making them a versatile snack for any occasion.
- Leftovers: Boiled peanuts can be stored in their cooking liquid in an airtight container in the refrigerator, extending their shelf life and flavor.
- Experiment with Flavors: Don’t be afraid to add other seasonings like Old Bay, curry powder, onion powder, or even a splash of your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick.
🫙 Storage Instructions
- Cool Before Storing: Let the peanuts cool to room temperature before you store them.
- Keep the Brine: When storing leftover boiled peanuts, keep them in their cooking liquid. This brine is packed with flavor and helps keep the peanuts moist and delicious.
- Airtight Container is a Must: Transfer the peanuts and their liquid into an airtight container.
- Refrigerate or Freeze: Boiled peanuts can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option for up to 3 months. Just thaw and reheat in the microwave or stove when you’re ready to enjoy them again.
🍽️ What To Serve With This Recipe
As a Game Day Snack
Nothing says game day like a table full of hearty snacks. Boiled peanuts fit right in alongside classics like chicken wings, nachos with queso, and rice paper dumplings. Their salty, spicy kick makes them a great complement to the usual game day fare.
With Cold Beverages
On a hot day, there’s nothing better than a cold drink in one hand and a salty snack in the other. Boiled peanuts go perfectly with a variety of beverages, from sweet iced tea to lemonade, or sumacade for something a little different. The salty flavor of the peanuts can enhance the taste of your drink, making for a refreshing combo.
As Part of a Southern Feast
If you’re throwing a Southern-themed party or just want to introduce some Southern charm to your meal, boiled peanuts are a must. Serve them alongside other Southern favorites like pulled pork, coleslaw, cornbread, and sweet potato pie for a full-on feast that’s sure to impress.
At a Casual Get-Together
Boiled peanuts are the ultimate casual, social snack. They’re perfect for munching on while catching up with friends or family. Set out a bowl of these tasty peanuts on your next gathering, and watch as everyone digs in, shells piling up as stories are shared. It’s a simple, no-fuss addition to any casual get-together that brings people together.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can use a slow cooker (crock pot) or a traditional pot on the stove. The key difference will be the cooking time, which is significantly longer than the Instant Pot method.
Yes, in moderation. Peanuts are a good source of protein, healthy fats, and various vitamins and minerals. However, due to the high salt content in boiled peanuts, it’s best to enjoy them as an occasional treat rather than a daily snack.
Yes, green peanuts are actually the traditional choice for making boiled peanuts. They’re fresher and have a higher moisture content, which can result in a shorter cooking time and a slightly different texture.
The best way to reheat boiled peanuts is either by microwaving them in a covered dish with a little bit of their brine or by simmering them on the stove in their brine until they’re warmed through.
😋 More Healthier Southern Recipes You Will Love
- Whole30 Mashed Potatoes
- Keto Sloppy Joes
- Healthy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
- Smoked Pork Shoulder for Pulled Pork
- The BEST Hamburger Recipe
Have you made this recipe? I’d love to know <3 Tag me (@makehealthyrecipes) on Facebook and Instagram, Pin it on Pinterest, and please give it 5 stars with a review below! Don’t forget to subscribe to the email list (top right of this page) for sparkly new recipes in your inbox.
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw peanuts in their shells
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 5 dried chilis
- 4 garlic cloves halved
- 3-4 tablespoons salt
- 8 cups water
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to the instant pot and give them a good stir.1 pound raw peanuts in their shells, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning, 5 dried chilis, 4 garlic cloves, 3-4 tablespoons salt, 8 cups water
- Place a heat-proof bowl or dish over the peanuts and fill it with water. The dish should cover most of the surface area. I used a springform cake pan.
- Close the instant pot lid, and set the release valve to the "sealing" position.
- Press the "High Pressure" button and set the timer to 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes).
- When the timer is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, before releasing the valve to the "Venting" position.
- Remove the dish with tongs, stir the peanuts, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
-
- Natural Release is Key: Allowing the electric pressure cooker to naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes after cooking is crucial. It helps in finishing the cooking process and ensures the peanuts are perfectly tender.
- Adjust Spices to Taste: Feel free to tweak the amount of cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and dried chilis according to your spice preference. Making it your own is half the fun!
- Water Level: Make sure there’s enough water to completely submerge the peanuts. This might vary depending on the size of your Instant Pot, but generally, a couple of inches above the peanuts should do the trick.
- Sealing Position: Double-check that the release valve is set to the “sealing” position before starting the pressure cooking process to ensure proper cooking.
- Serving Suggestion: These peanuts are best enjoyed warm, right out of the pot. However, they’re also surprisingly good at room temperature, making them a versatile snack for any occasion.
- Leftovers: Boiled peanuts can be stored in their cooking liquid in an airtight container in the refrigerator, extending their shelf life and flavor.
- Experiment with Flavors: Don’t be afraid to add other seasonings like Old Bay, curry powder, onion powder, or even a splash of your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick.
Storage Instructions
-
- Cool Before Storing: Let the peanuts cool to room temperature before you store them.
-
- Keep the Brine: When storing leftover boiled peanuts, keep them in their cooking liquid. This brine is packed with flavor and helps keep the peanuts moist and delicious.
-
- Airtight Container is a Must: Transfer the peanuts and their liquid into an airtight container.
-
- Refrigerate or Freeze: Boiled peanuts can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option for up to 3 months. Just thaw and reheat in the microwave or stove when you’re ready to enjoy them again.