5.0 from 24 votes
Sichuan spicy peanuts (Mala peanuts, 麻辣花生)
Hot, fragrant, crispy and powerfully mouth-numbing, Sichuan spicy peanuts are an addictive snack that can be easily made at home.
Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Total Time
18 mins
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 361 kcal
Course:
Snacks
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
- 200 g raw peanuts 1.5 cups (see note 1)
- 120 ml cooking oil 0.5cup
- 15 dried chilli or to taste
- 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorn see note 2
- 5 bay leaves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground Sichuan pepper
Instructions
Prepare the peanuts & chillies
- Soak peanuts in water for 2 minutes. Then drain and pat dry.
- While waiting for the peanuts to be soaked, cut dried chilli into pieces with a pair of scissors (keep the yellow seeds).
Cup of Yum
Fry the peanuts
- Pour peanuts into a cold wok / frying pan, then pour in oil. Turn on the heat to medium-low.
- Frying the peanuts for about 13 minutes (see note 3). Stir from time to time. They are done when the colour of their skin darkens . Taste one if you are not sure. They shouldn’t have any raw taste yet they shouldn’t have a burnt taste either .
- Transfer the peanuts to a plate lined with kitchen paper (to soak up excess oil).
Season the peanuts
- Leave enough oil to cover the bottom of the wok (discard the rest). When the wok cools down, stir in dried chilli, Sichuan peppercorn and bay leaves. Fry over medium-low heat until fragrant (do not burn).
- Turn off the heat. Add in fried peanuts. Sprinkle with salt, sugar and ground Sichuan pepper. Shake around the wok, then dish out.
Serve & store
- Leave to cool completely. Enjoy immediately or store in an air-tight container for later consumption. The flavour will be more intense after a day or two.
Notes
- For nutritional reasons I prefer peanuts with the skin on. You may use skinless peanuts. If so, please skip step 1 (soaking the peanuts).
- You can use either green Sichuan peppercorn or regular red Sichuan peppercorn. To learn more about this unique spice, please read my guide : Sichuan Pepper (花椒): Your Questions Answered.
- Frying time may vary depending on the size of the peanuts, as well as the power of the heat. Adjust accordingly.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
361kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
12g
(4%)
Protein
12g
(24%)
Fat
32g
(49%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
9g
Monounsaturated Fat
15g
Trans Fat
0.3g
Sodium
150mg
(6%)
Potassium
353mg
(10%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
504IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
31mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 361
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 361kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9g | 53% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Sodium | 150mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 353mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 504IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 31mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.