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You are here: Home / Recipes / Instant Pot

Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts (Spicy)

📋 Modified: Feb 20, 2025 Published: Jul 28, 2023 by 👩🏻‍🍳 Jami Powell · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts are the ultimate Southern snack—soft, salty, and packed with bold Cajun heat. Made with raw peanuts, spicy seasoning, and pressure-cooked for maximum flavor, this easy recipe gives you tender, flavorful boiled peanuts in a fraction of the time.

Don't forget to check out our Spicy Firecracker Oyster Crackers, too!

A photo of boiled peanuts in the Instant Pot.

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Boiled peanuts are a Southern staple, especially in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. You’ll find them at roadside stands, farmers' markets, and even gas stations—perfect for game days, road trips, or anytime you crave a salty snack with a kick!

If you like this snack recipe, you may also love our Sweet Potato Chips or our Air Fryer Cinnamon Pita Chips.

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Instant Pot Boiled Peanut Ingredients
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • How to Make Spicy Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts
  • Expert Tips for Success
  • Storage
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Snack Recipes You'll Love ♥️
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Share Your Thoughts

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: Whip up a batch of delicious boiled peanuts in no time.
  • Utterly Addicting: The spicy flavor and soft shells will keep you coming back for more.
  • Nostalgic: This traditional Southern delicacy brings back memories of childhood (just like this Trisciut Pizza)!
  • Versatile: You can experiment with various spice levels and ingredients

Instant Pot Boiled Peanut Ingredients

A labeled image of all the ingredients needed to make boiled peanuts in the Instant Pot.
  • Raw Peanuts: Fresh and unroasted peanuts that will become tender and flavorful during the boiling process. (Make sure not to fill over the maximum line in the Instant Pot).
  • Beer: Choose your favorite beer to add a delightful depth of flavor to the boiled peanuts. (Save your leftover beer to go with this Sourdough Patty Melt)!
  • Water: Essential for cooking the peanuts and infusing them with savory and spicy seasoning.
  • Cajun or Creole seasoning: A zesty blend of spices that brings a Cajun kick to the boiled peanuts.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances the peanuts' natural taste and balances the seasoning.
  • Cayenne Pepper: Adds a fiery heat to the boiled peanuts, adjust according to your spice preference.
  • Granulated Garlic: Provides a subtle garlic flavor to complement the spiciness of the Cajun seasoning.
  • Liquid Smoke: Adds a tempting smoky aroma to the boiled peanuts.
  • Jalapeño Pepper: For an extra layer of spiciness and a pop of color in the boiled peanuts.

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Spice: For a milder version, replace cayenne with your favorite mild seasoning blend, or do not include it in the recipe.
  • Peanuts: If you want a quicker cooking time and a more tender texture, opt for fresh green peanuts during their seasonal availability (late summer to early fall).

How to Make Spicy Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

Peanuts in a colander being washed.

STEP 1: Prepare the Peanuts

Rinse the raw peanuts under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.

Place the cleaned peanuts in the Instant Pot's inner pot.

Water and beer being added to the peanuts in the Instant Pot.

STEP 2: Add the Seasoning

Pour the beer and 7-8 cups of water into the Instant Pot on top of the peanuts. Be careful not to fill beyond the maximum line.

Seasonings being added to the raw peanuts in the Instant Pot.

STEP 3: Add Seasoning and Pressure Cook

Sprinkle the cajun seasoning, kosher salt, cayenne, and granulated garlic over the peanuts, distributing the seasonings evenly. Add the liquid smoke to infuse the peanuts with a smokiness. Toss in the sliced jalapeño pepper.

Securely close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring that the steam release handle is in the sealing position.

Select the "Pressure Cook" function and set the cooking time to 120 minutes.

An image of the boiled peanuts in the Instant Pot.

STEP 4: Natural Pressure Release and Serve

Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. After the natural release, perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.

Carefully open the Instant Pot lid and give the boiled peanuts a final stir to distribute the flavors.

Expert Tips for Success

👩‍🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!

✔️ DO Use raw or green peanuts—roasted peanuts won’t soften properly.
✔️ DO Add plenty of salt; peanuts absorb seasoning while cooking, so don’t skimp.
✔️ DO Allow the boiled peanuts to slow-cook in the seasoned water for a few hours after cooking until desired tenderness.
❌ DO NOT Rush the cook time—boiled peanuts need at least 75–90 minutes under pressure to soften and absorb liquids.
❌ DO NOT Fill above the maximum line in the Instant Pot.

Storage

Store leftover boiled peanuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer storage. To reheat, simmer in water or broth on the stovetop until warm, or microwave in a bowl on medium for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway.

Recipe FAQs

What are boiled peanuts?

Boiled peanuts are raw peanuts cooked in salty water until they become tender and infused with delicious flavors, making them a popular Southern snack.

Can I use a slow cooker or crock pot to make boiled peanuts?

Yes! You can use a slow cooker to make boiled peanuts. Cook them on high for about 6-8 hours until they reach the desired tenderness.

What's the difference between raw and green peanuts for boiling?

Green peanuts are freshly harvested and haven't undergone the drying process, resulting in higher moisture content. As a result, green peanuts are naturally more tender and cook faster when boiled versus raw peanuts.

Instant pot boiled peanuts feature image cooked with slotted spoon

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Did You Like This Cajun Boiled Peanut Recipe?

  • Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Rating if think these spicy peanuts are amazing!

📖 Recipe

A photo of boiled peanuts in the Instant Pot.

Easy Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts (Spicy)

Jami Powell
Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts are the ultimate Southern snack—soft, salty, and packed with bold Cajun heat. Made with raw peanuts, spicy seasoning, and pressure-cooked for maximum flavor, this easy recipe gives you tender, flavorful boiled peanuts in a fraction of the time.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Slow Cook (Optional) 1 hour hr
Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Course Snack
Cuisine American, Southern
Servings 8
Calories 592 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Slotted spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 24 ounces raw peanuts Hampton Farms
  • 12 ounces beer
  • 7-8 cups water below the max line in your Instant Pot
  • 3 tablespoons cajun or creole seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 jalapeño pepper halved

Instructions
 

  • Thoroughly wash the raw peanuts in cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
  • In your Instant Pot, combine the washed peanuts, beer, water, Cajun seasoning, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, granulated garlic, liquid smoke, and sliced jalapeño pepper. Mix well to ensure the peanuts are evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
    Note: If you are using a 6-quart Instant Pot, ensure not to fill it above the max line to avoid any potential issues during the cooking process.
  • Close the Instant Pot lid securely and set the steam release valve to the "Sealing" position.
  • Select the "Pressure Cook" function and set it to high pressure for 2 hours. The Instant Pot will take some time to come up to pressure before the cooking process begins.
  • Once the 2-hour pressure cooking is complete, allow the Instant Pot to perform a natural release for 10 minutes. To do this, leave the Instant Pot undisturbed after cooking.
  • After the natural release, carefully switch the steam release valve to the "Venting" position to release any remaining pressure.
  • Check the tenderness of the boiled peanuts. If they have reached your desired level of softness, you can proceed to serve them. However, if they are not as tender as you'd like, continue with the following step.
  • Switch the Instant Pot to the "Slow Cook" function and cook the peanuts for an additional 1 to 3 hours, depending on how soft you prefer them. Keep an eye on the tenderness and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • Carefully transfer the boiled peanuts to a serving bowl using a slotted spoon, leaving behind any excess liquid. Serve the Southern Cajun-style boiled peanuts while they're still warm.

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Video

Notes

Storage Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.
Freeze This dish is freezer friendly.
Reheat To reheat boiled peanuts use the stovetop or microwave method. On the stovetop, heat peanuts in a saucepan with water or broth until warmed. In the microwave, use a microwave-safe bowl with water, cover, and heat on medium for 1-2 minutes, stirring in between. 
Substitutions
  • Spice - For a milder version, replace cayenne with your favorite mild seasoning blend, or do not include it in the recipe.
  • Peanuts - If you want a quicker cooking time and a more tender texture, opt for fresh green peanuts during their seasonal availability (late summer to early fall).
Nutrition The provided nutrition information is only an estimate.
Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 592kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 26gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 17gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gSodium: 109mgPotassium: 797mgFiber: 10gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 886IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 117mgIron: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @powell.family.cooking on Instagram

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