Florencia Baldini Last Updated on December 23, 2025Roasted chestnuts are my absolute favourite treat in Winter and so incredibly underrated! With just one ingredient, they’re incredibly easy to make at home, yet packed with flavour and health benefits. Chestnuts are naturally sweet, high in fibre, and a good source of antioxidants — perfect for nourishing your body while satisfying your snack cravings. Plus, roasting them fills your kitchen with that cozy autumn aroma you just can’t resist.
This recipe shows you how to roast chestnuts simply and how to peel them easily, so you can enjoy this seasonal favourite anytime. Whether as a quick snack or added to your winter meals, roasted chestnuts bring warmth and wholesome goodness to the table.
One of my fondest childhood memories is sitting around the table with my mum and dad peeling and enjoying warm roasted chestnuts together. Those moments of simple joy and connection make this snack even more special to me. It’s a tradition I love to continue with Alan, who wasn’t a fan at the beginning and now love them too!
Bake them in the oven or air fryer, and enjoy a warm, nutty snack that pairs perfectly with the cooler months.
How To Make It
Step 1 – Score the chestnuts
Using a sharp knife, make a cut on each chestnut. Slice the rounded side horizontally, just like I show in the video.
This step is essential — it prevents the chestnuts from exploding while cooking (yes, literally!). Chestnuts are quite hard, so take your time and be extra careful with your fingers 🤗 Don’t skip this step.
Step 2 – Bake or air fry
Bake in the oven at 240°C (460°F) for 15-20 minutes.
Alternatively, cook them in the air fryer at 200°C for 18 minutes (I didn t pre-heat it).
Step 3 – Steam & peel
As soon as they come out of the oven or air fryer, transfer the chestnuts straight onto a clean tea towel and wrap them up.
This keeps them warm and moist, which makes peeling much easier.
Peel them one by one, keeping the remaining chestnuts wrapped in the tea towel while you work.
Tips
- IMPORTANT! Cut a horizontal slit on the rounded side of each chestnut before roasting — this prevents them from exploding and makes peeling easier.
- Wrap hot chestnuts immediately in a clean tea towel to keep them warm and moist, which loosens the shell.
- Peel chestnuts while still warm; once cold, the shell sticks and becomes difficult to remove.
- You can air fry chestnuts: If I only make a small batch I add them to my air fryer basket, it’s much quicker.
Swaps
If fresh chestnuts aren’t available, you can use vacuum-packed cooked chestnuts found in some supermarkets (already cooked) — they save time but miss the fresh roasted flavour. I add these chestnuts to my shopping list during the warmer months, when fresh chestnuts are not available because they are a super healthy snack, filling, nutritious and satisfying but they are no where near as tasty as freshly roasted ones, just to warn you!
Storage
Fridge: Store peeled chestnuts in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze peeled chestnuts in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months. Defrost fully before use (I sometime can t wait and eat them frozen, so delicious!)
More Snacking Ideas
Roasted Chestnuts
Video
Ingredients
- 400 g chestnuts
Instructions
- With a sharp knife, make a cut on each chestnut, slicing the rounded side horizontally (just like I show in the video). This step is essential to stop the chestnuts from exploding while cooking — and yes, that can actually happen. Chestnuts are quite hard, so take your time and watch your fingers.
- Cook in the air fryer at 200°C (390°F) for 15 minutes.
- As soon as they’re done, transfer the chestnuts straight onto a clean tea towel and wrap them up. This keeps them warm and steamy, making them much easier to peel. Peel one by one, keeping the rest wrapped while you work.