Masala Kaju is such an easy snack, ready within 15 mins. coated with spicy masala/spices. Roasted Cashew nuts with spices make an addictive snack for tea time and is great to serve with cocktails and mocktails at parties.
Air Fryer Roasted cashews can be prepared within minutes without any fuss and are as crunchy as the pan roasted or deep fried.
It is a crowd pleaser and is favorite not only among the grown ups but also with kids too.
What are Masala Kaju/ Roasted Cashew nuts
Masala Kaju/Roasted Cashew Nuts are popular Indian snacks/appetizer made with spices and with or without gram flour. These are traditionally deep fried but if you want to keep a check on the fat content then you can Air Fry and also Bake these.
These are very popular at cocktails and mocktail parties, you can call these as Bar-snacks/Chakhna in North India.
Masala Kaju also make a perfect gourmet gift item that you can include in your gift hampers during festivals like Diwali, Holi, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
You can serve these for tea time/parties, packed while travelling and to kids lunch boxes too, mixed with other nuts and dried fruits/berries.
Homemade Masala Kaju/Air Fryer Roasted Cashew nuts
Making at home is such an easy peasy thing and the best thing is that you can control the spices and oil/ghee used in roasting the nuts.
It takes less than 10 mins to prepare and about 15 mins in Air Fryer. You can pan roast or deep fry these. But, since the time I got my Air Fryer, I prefer roasting nuts making many other snacks and appetizers in it.
Checkout the Air Fryer Roasted Peanuts recipe in different flavours using very little oil.
Advantages of having Air Fryer at Home
Investing in an Air Fryer is one of the best decisions that we can make for our kitchen. This kitchen gadget is so handy and there are so many options available nowadays. It can be used for baking, as a substitute to frying (one of the best) and roasting the veggies, snacks.
- Air frying cuts down the amount of oil used for deep frying snacks.
- Deep frying certain food items may produce some cancer causing compounds. Air frying reduces the risk of formation of such compounds.
- No standing over the cooking dish and continuous monitoring.
- Use it to crisp the frozen food instead of deep frying which is more fuss, quick and more health friendly.
Air fryers are handy kitchen gadgets and do not occupy much counter space.
Use your Air Fryer in everyday cooking and you can even bake cakes and muffins as per the capacity of your Air Fryer.
Checkout the various Air Fryer Recipes form the blog here--> AIR FRYER RECIPES Vegetarian and Vegan
Different seasoning Ideas to make Masala Kaju
Roasted Cashew nuts are prepared in different flavours with different seasonings.
Some of the common ones that are very popularly available in stores are Black Pepper Kaju, Chaat Masala Kaju, Peri Peri Cashews, Thai Chilli Cashew.
In this post I am covering two ways of making Masala Kaju.
One is simple Chaat Masala Kaju in Chaat Masala and Red Chilli Powder. The other is Chickpea Flour/Gram Flour or (Besan) coated Masala Kaju, also known as Cashew Pakora.
Ingredients to make Masala Kaju
Cashew nuts- Choose premium quality whole cashew nuts. Avoid using long kept cashew nuts as these may give an after taste.
For Chaat Masala Kaju
Chaat Masala, Red Chilli Powder(Kashmiri Lal Mirch) or use Paprika, and Black Salt/Himalayan Pink Salt. Use salt very carefully as Chaat masala already has some amount of salt in it.
Oil- I prefer Ghee/Indian Clarified butter. You can use Olive oil or any other plant based oil.
For Besan Coasted Kaju/ Roasted Kaju Pakora
Besan, Rice Flour(optional) Turmeric powder, Red Chilli Powder(Kashmiri Lal Mirch) or use Paprika, Salt/Himalayan Pink Salt.
Oil/Ghee and water to bind the flour.
How to make Masala Kaju
To make Spicy Chaat Masala Kaju, preheat your air fryer if there is an option in it.
Spicy Chaat Masala Cashews
Preheat the air fryer at 180C or 350F if you an option in it.
In a bowl mix oil with spices. Now add cashews and toss nicely coating the nuts evenly in spices.
Air Fry for about 6 mins. till golden brown and for 8 mins if you want a deep roasted dark color. After 4 mins, take out the basket and toss the nuts for even frying.
To make Chickpeas Flour/Besan coated Masala Kaju
Mix all the spices and besan in a bowl. Add oil and mix nicely. Now add cashew nuts coat it nicely in masala. Then add about 1 tsp water at a time to bind the masala to the nuts.
Air Fry in a preheated Air Fryer for about 8 mins at 180C or 350F. tossing the nuts after 4 mins.
Deep fry in hot oil till it it is light brown.
Masala Cashews and Kaju Pakora will soft when just out of Air Fryer/Oven or after deep frying. It get crunchy when it cools down completely.
How to store Masala Kaju and Shelf Life of Roasted Nuts
Transfer to a air tight glass jar(preferably) when the roasted cashews cool completely.
Stays fresh and good for about a 8-10 days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve spicy roasted cashew nuts for tea time. These are one of the favorite bar-snacks and served at parties with drinks.
Pack while travelling
Adjust the chilli in the recipe or omit it if making for kids.
Recipe Card For Masala Kaju
Masala Kaju/Air Fryer Roasted Masala Cashew Nuts
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Spoons and Cup
Ingredients
Spicy Chaat Masala Kaju/Cashew Nuts
- 1 Cup Plain Cashew nuts
- 1 tsp Chaat Masala
- ½-1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1 tbsp Ghee/Indian Clarified Butter or Olive Oil
Besan Coated Masala Kaju
- 1 Cup Cashew Nuts
- 2 tbsp Chickpea/Gram Flour /Besan
- ½ tsp Dried Mint
- ½ tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp Chaat Masala
- 1 tbsp Ghee/Olive Oil
- Salt as required
Instructions
Chaat Masala Masala Kaju
- Take spices and ghee in a bowl.1 tsp Chaat Masala, ½-1 tsp Red Chilli Powder, 1 tbsp Ghee/Indian Clarified Butter, Salt as required
- Mix it nicely and then add cashews to it. Coat cashews nicely in masala.1 Cup Plain Cashew nuts
- Transfer to an air friendly container Set the temp. to 180°C /350°F.
- Add to air fryer basket and air fry for 6-8 mins. or, line the basket with a foil and transfer the nuts.
- Toss the nuts after 4 mins.
- Once done, take out and cool completely. Store in an air tight container and use as required.
Besan Coated Crispy Masala Cashew Nuts
- In a bowl add besan , spices and oil.2 tbsp Chickpea/Gram Flour, ½ tsp Dried Mint, ½ tsp Red Chilli Powder, 1 tsp Turmeric Powder, 1 tsp Chaat Masala, 1 tbsp Ghee/Olive Oil
- Add cashews and nicely coat in the besan masala.1 Cup Cashew Nuts
- Transfer to an air friendly container Add to air fryer basket and air fry for 6-8 mins.
- Preheat the air fryer and air fry cashews for about 6-8 mins. or till done.
- Once done, take out and cool completely. Store in an air tight container and use as required.
Storing
- Completely cool the roasted cashews and then store in an air tight container (preferably) glass jar.
- Serve as and when required.
- Stays good for about 6-10 days.
Baking Masala Kaju
- Preheat the oven at 180°C or 350°F.
- Spread the masala coated cashews on a baking try or oven friendly container. You can line the tray with a parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-12 mins.. Keep on turning the cashews mid way of baking time for even roasting.
Deep Frying Kaju Pakroa
- Heat oil in a kadhai/heavy bottomed pan.
- Drop the masala coated cashew nuts one by one.
- Fry till the cashews start turning light golden brown. Keep the flame to medium hot.
- Take out once done. When fried cashew nuts are warm enough to easily handle, sprinkle some chaat masala.
Notes
Also, whenever you try the recipe, I will love to hear/share your feedback or any queries in the comment section below. I will try to answer your queries as soon as possible.
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