Dry Roasted Peanuts Recipe (for Thai Cooking)

Roasting your own peanuts at home is a simple and rewarding process, especially when preparing Thai dishes. Follow this easy dry roasted peanuts recipe to add a delicious crunch to your Thai cooking.

Check out these Thai recipes using peanuts. 5-minute satay sauce for chicken satay, Penang curry and Penang curry paste, Massaman curry, Pad Thai, Thai swimming rama, and Thai papaya salad.

Jump to:

• Why Roast Your Own Peanuts
• Where can I find Raw Peanuts?
• Ingredients
• How to Roast Peanuts on a Stove
• Peanuts in Thai cooking
• How to Crush Peanuts
• Helpful Kitchen Notes and Tips
• Thai Recipes Using Peanuts
• How to Store Toasted Peanuts
• Variations
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Dry Roasted Peanuts Recipe (for Thai Cooking)
• Related Thai Recipes

Why Roast Your Own Peanuts

• This is an easy recipe! It's a simple recipe using only 1 ingredient, with salt being optional. 

• Roasted peanuts are quick to make. It doesn't take a lot of time at all. The cooking time is less than 10 minutes, and your house will smell of warm roasted nuts!

• They are the perfect high-protein healthy snack to have on hand. 

• It's a perfect appetizer, great for a game-day finger food (with a glass of cold beer!)

Where can I find Raw Peanuts?

• Raw, whole peanuts can be found at most Asian grocery stores. Look for peanuts with red skins on.
• Check your health food stores for raw peanuts
• Order yours on Amazon here. (Affiliate links)

Ingredients

• Raw unshelled peanuts. An essential ingredient in this recipe! We will be using raw and whole peanuts with shells still on. 
• Salt (optional). If you are planning on using peanuts for a Thai recipe, hold off on the salt. 

How to Roast Peanuts on a Stove

1. Make sure peanuts are dry and free from moisture. Preheat a pan over medium heat. Place raw peanuts in a single layer in the pan.

2. Stir occasionally for even roasting. Roast until golden brown for about 5-7 minutes.

3. Allow roasted peanuts to cool to room temperature. Then, you'll want to remove the shells from the toasted peanuts. 

Simply place the peanuts in both hands, then rub them together until the shells fall off. 

5. Use a spider strainer to scoop out the peanuts, vigorously shake off the stubborn shells, and store the shell-less peanuts in an airtight container for freshness.

Peanuts in Thai cooking

In Thai cooking, dry toasted peanuts are a popular ingredient in many dishes, especially in Asian salads. These crunchy and flavorful nuts add a delightful texture and taste to the food.

Thai kitchens and Thai restaurants often incorporate dry toasted peanuts in their best recipes, as they lend a unique nuttiness and a hint of smokiness.

When toasted, the peanuts release their natural oils, intensifying their flavor and making them even more delicious.

How to Crush Peanuts

Crushing peanuts is a breeze with a mortar and pestle! If you have a small stone mortar and pestle, it's perfect for the job.

Put your toasted peanuts in the mortar and gently pound them with the pestle until they're nicely crushed.

Remember, we want them crushed, not turned into a paste. 

Helpful Kitchen Notes and Tips

• Use unsalted peanuts for better control over the saltiness of your dishes.
• Hold off on the salt if you use peanuts in your Thai food. 
• Or divide the toasted nuts in half, sprinkle half with salt (for snacking or appetizer) and the other without.
• Never use a rubber spatula to stir the hot peanuts in a pan. A wooden spatula is best for this job. 
• I like having an extra crushed peanut in my Thai kitchen pantry or the freezer for a quick addition to Thai cooking or other uses. See storage tips below for a long shelf life.

Thai Recipes Using Peanuts

• 5-minute satay sauce. This recipe uses peanut butter, red curry paste, fish sauce, and palm or brown sugar for a creamy peanut sauce. Simply grind up toasted peanuts into a paste form. 
• Thai Ice cream! Yes, always top your coconut ice cream with crushed peanuts!
• Tom Yum mixed nuts. Use your unsalted nuts to make this popular spicy peanuts recipe!
• Pad thai. Crushed peanuts on pad Thai add the perfect crunch to this savory Thai dish.
• Som Tam, Thai green papaya salad. Thai papaya salad is not complete without roasted peanuts on top.
• Pad Woonsen. A refreshing glass noodle salad with fresh ingredients like green onions, mint, and cilantro.
• Pomelo Salad. Add a sprinkle of crushed peanuts for a nutty crunch to this elegant dish. 
• Mango Salad. Substitute cashew nuts for peanuts in this mouthwatering salad.
• Massaman curry with peanuts, tamarind paste, and coconut milk
• Penang curry with crushed peanuts

How to Store Toasted Peanuts

• Roasted peanuts can be stored for 3 months in an airtight container in the pantry.
• You can also store your roasted peanuts in a glass mason jar in the freezer. They keep fresh for up to 6 months!

Variations

• For added flavor and aroma, add 3-4 kaffir lime leaves, sliced lemongrass, and garlic.
• Add some spice to your toasted peanuts with chili flakes, yellow curry powder, or 5-spice powder. 

Frequently Asked Questions

You're ready to elevate Thai cooking with the perfect batch of easy-to-make dry-roasted peanuts!

Enjoy the authentic flavors of Thailand in your kitchen.

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Related Thai Recipes

Explore more Thai recipes incorporating roasted peanuts, such as Thai peanut sauce, peanut curry, and spicy peanut salad.