Oven Roasted Peanuts

Discover the magic that happens when raw shelled peanuts meet the warmth of your oven. Oven-roasted peanuts are a simple and budget-friendly way to enjoy a great snack.

Oven Roasted Peanuts, or as southerners call them, “parched” peanuts, are baked in the oven until toasted and then lightly salted. A fantastic snack for on the go, watching ball games, or just sitting on the couch. An easy snack you can enjoy in about 30 minutes.

If you are a peanut fan like my husband, you will enjoy these freshly oven-roasted peanuts. Plus, they taste great. There is really no comparison when it comes to homemade oven-roasted peanuts.

Oven-roasted (parched) peanuts are incredibly easy to make, and in about 30 minutes, you will be crunching on these delicious little morsels. Roasting peanuts at home is worth the effort, and you can taste the difference between store-bought and homemade after the first bite.

This recipe only requires 3 ingredients, and no special tricks are involved. You only need a baking pan, and parchment paper (optional) to get started, and then add peanuts, melted butter, and salt. That it’s, and you are all ready to begin.

Why This Recipe Is Fabulous

This recipe is a must-try, offers an enticing blend of convenience and flavor, and is sure to be a favorite for anyone seeking a versatile and delicious treat.

Simple: This is a straightforward recipe that only requires three ingredients. You’ll be amazed at how fast and easy this recipe comes together. 

Versatile: Enjoy oven-roasted peanuts as a stand-alone snack or use them in a trail mix, a salad topping, or baked-in cookies.

Low Cost: All of the ingredients are easy to find and inexpensive. You can purchase in-shell peanuts and shell them yourself to cut down on the cost. 

Satisfying: The satisfying crunch and rich, nutty taste of oven-roasted peanuts are hard to resist.

Ingredients Needed

All of the ingredients are found in your local grocery store. For a complete list of amounts, see the printable recipe card below. 

Raw Peanuts: You are looking for raw peanuts with the outer shells removed. I have used unshelled peanuts and shelled them before roasting them in the oven. Doing this takes a few extra minutes, but the outcome is the same. 

Butter: I usually have salted butter on hand, and this is what I use most of the time. Unsalted butter would also work. Melt butter to mix with peanuts.

Salt: I use regular table salt for this recipe.

For another easy peanuts recipe, be sure to check out Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts. It’s one of the easiest ways to boil peanuts.

How To Make This Recipe

1. Preheat oven.
2. Line a baking sheet (cookie sheet) with parchment paper.
3. Mix raw peanuts with melted butter and pour on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Roast peanuts until golden brown. Roasting time may vary depending on your oven. 

Recipe Tips and Variations For The Best Peanuts

Recipe Tips:

• I used 1 pound of shelled raw peanuts for this recipe.
• Spread peanuts on a baking sheet (not touching) for the best outcome.
• Halfway through the cooking process, give the peanuts a toss and again at the end.
• Allow peanuts to cool completely. They will continue to cook after you remove them from the oven, plus they are very hot.
• ** Start checking the peanuts at the 20-minute mark. I let mine go for 30 -35 minutes. Some people may not like them this dark, but I do. You be the judge as to the doneness and color. The longer they cook, the more flavor they have– in my opinion.
• Sprinkle the shelled peanuts with salt immediately after you remove them from the oven.
• Add other seasonings if so desired. A small amount of cayenne pepper would certainly kick them up a notch.

Recipe Variations:

Feel free to experiment to create your own flavors of peanuts. Whether you prefer sweet, savory, or spicy, there is a flavor combination you are sure to love.

Sweet and Spicy: Mix honey with sea salt for a sweet and salty combination.

Spicy Peanuts: Toss peanuts with a bit of cayenne pepper, chili powder, or black pepper for an added kick of heat.

Garlic and Herb: Add some garlic powder and rosemary with a splash of olive oil for a savory snack.

Chocolate-Coated Peanuts: After roasting, toss the peanuts in melted chocolate, and let them cool for a sweet snack.

Cinnamon and Sugar: Toss the roasted peanuts with cinnamon and sugar for a delightful combination.

How To Serve Parched Peanuts

Serving roasted peanuts is quite simple and can be enjoyed in several ways. As a teenager, I remember attending high school football games and seeing roasted peanuts in small brown paper bags. They were in the concession stand along with the hamburger and hotdogs for sale. Since then, I look for them whenever I attend a game, whether baseball or football, and the crunchy snack never disappoints. Now, I can enjoy this delicious snack by making my own peanuts at home. This is an easy peanut recipe that has become a family favorite. These are perfect as a stand-alone snack, an appetizer, packed for road trips, or even movie nights. 

How To Store Roasted Peanuts

Allow peanuts to cool to room temperature; store them in a zip-top bag and leave them on the counter. They don’t seem to last that long, and the smell draws people in to sample what might be there.
You can certainly store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator if so desired.

Should I Remove the Skin from the Shelled Peanuts?

Whether or not you remove peanut skins before eating is a matter of personal preference. The skins of peanuts are edible. Some people prefer leaving the skins on, while others find them less appealing. This would undoubtedly take a lot of time to do. So, I would wait until the peanuts are done cooking and cooled. Then, the skins should slip off quickly and save you a lot of time and hassle.

Can I Freeze Oven Roasted Peanuts?

Yep, you sure can. Put them in a freezer-safe container or bag and pop them into the freezer. They should be good for up to a year.

Parched Peanuts As A Gift

Oven roasted peanuts make a great gift for various occasions. They are great to receive on holidays, birthdays, or as a hostess gift. The personal touch you add to the packaging will make the gift all the more special.

I would love to receive them, and I bet anyone else would like them too.

Gift Suggestions

• *Give a bag of raw shelled peanuts and attach a recipe card.
• *Add parched peanuts to a Mason jar and attach a pretty ribbon.
• *Put peanuts in a decorative “food-safe” bag, tie it with a ribbon, and attach a card.
• *Give a holiday-themed peanut gift basket. Include raw peanuts, parched peanuts, peanut butter, peanut butter cookies, and so on.

For more homemade gift ideas, check out:

Toasted Pecans
Jalapeno Pepper Jelly
White Chocolate Christmas Crack
Tea Cake Cookies
Sea Salted Caramel Fudge

For more homemade food gift ideas, be sure to give this post a look.