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!
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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.
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
- 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 and 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How Should I Store and Reheat this Recipe?
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
Boiled peanuts are raw peanuts cooked in salty water until they become tender and infused with delicious flavors, making them a popular Southern snack.
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.
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.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts (Spicy)
Equipment
- 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.
Video
Notes
- 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).
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