Mala fried peanuts recipe: Spicy and addictive snack idea

Ingredients for Mala fried peanuts

• 240 g raw peanuts, preferably blanched

• 60–120 ml peanut oil

• 18 dried Sichuan chiles or other red Chinese chiles, 8 deseeded, cut into strips, 10 left whole

• 5 ml Sichuan peppercorns

• 9 g kosher salt

• 5 g sugar

• 5 g five-spice powder

• 5 g ground Sichuan peppercorns (from 1½ tsp. whole)

• pinch freshly ground white pepper (optional)

How to make Mala fried peanuts

1. If using unblanched (skin-on) peanuts, place them in a medium bowl and cover with water. Let them soak for at least 6 hours, or up to 12 hours. Drain the peanuts, then rub off the skins with paper towels if necessary.

2. Arrange the peanuts on a rimmed baking tray and freeze for at least 2 hours, or up to 12 hours. This will dehydrate the nuts, allowing them to crisp faster when fried. If using blanched peanuts, skip the soaking step and freeze them directly.

3. Place the frozen peanuts in a wok or medium pot and pour in enough oil to cover them by 0.5 cm. Bring the oil to a simmer over medium heat and cook the peanuts until they are golden brown and float to the surface, about 15–20 minutes. Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer the peanuts to paper towels to drain. Allow the oil to cool, then transfer all but 1 teaspoon of the oil to an airtight container for another use.

4. Add sliced chiles, whole chiles, and whole Sichuan peppercorns to the frying pan with the remaining oil. Heat over medium-high, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Be careful not to let the chiles brown; they should remain red.

5. Mix in the cooked peanuts, along with salt, sugar, Five-Spice Powder, ground Sichuan peppercorns, and white pepper (if using). Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and let it cool.

6. Do ahead: The peanuts can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.