They are one of the typical Carnival desserts, simple to prepare, decidedly delicious. We are talking about castagnole, which each region revisits according to local traditions, although the basic recipe remains more or less the same everywhere.
The same ingredients are also used in the preparation of chestnuts cooked in the air fryer, equally tasty but lighter and healthier than the classic fried version.
As is known, the air fryer does not require the use of oil and allows you to fry food by exploiting the heat accumulated in the cooking chamber. In this way the fried food is delicious but healthy.
Here is a selection of delicious recipes for preparing chestnuts in the air fryer.
Castagnole with the air fryer: the basic recipe
The basic dough for chestnuts prepared with the air fryer remains the same, only the cooking method changes. The important thing is that the dough always has a good consistency: it must not be excessively soft. To prepare it we recommend following our recipe, which involves the use of the following ingredients:
Procedure
Pour the butter and sugar into the planetary mixer and mix them with the wire whisk until the mixture is light and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, waiting until each is well incorporated before adding the next, then add the grated lemon peel. Gradually add the flour together with the salt and yeast, continuing to work the dough. Then transfer the mixture to the work surface and knead it by hand until you obtain a smooth, homogeneous and non-sticky dough. Make small balls and place them in the air fryer basket lined with baking paper. Heat the fryer to 170°C for around 2 minutes, then cook the chestnuts for 8 minutes, turn them over and continue cooking for around another 2 minutes, taking into account that the times may vary slightly depending on the fryer model used. Once ready, dust them with icing cane sugar.
Castagnole with the air fryer: tasty and light variations
The basic recipe for chestnuts, as we have seen, usually involves the use of flour, eggs, yeast, butter, sugar, but there are numerous variations. There are those who, for example, add raisins to the dough, or honey and even ricotta. Here is a selection of super-delicious variations.
Chestnuts with ricotta
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The recipe we propose is Sesame in the kitchen and it is perfect for preparing light, delicious and soft chestnuts with ricotta, which will certainly conquer the palates of adults and children. Here’s how to prepare them.
Ingredients
Procedure
Pour the egg into a bowl and add the brown sugar, then mix well until the mixture is uniform. Add the ricotta little by little, continuing to mix until a smooth and homogeneous cream is formed. Add the lemon or orange zest, mix again and gradually incorporate the flour that you have previously mixed with the yeast. When the dough is ready, use two spoons to shape it into balls and roll them out on a lightly floured surface. Line the air fryer basket with baking paper and arrange the chestnuts. Heat the fryer to 170°C for about 2 minutes, then insert the basket and cook them for 8 minutes, turn them over and continue cooking for another 2 minutes. Once ready, remove them and let them cool before serving: they will be very soft.
Chestnuts with raisins
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To prepare chestnuts with raisins we recommend following the instructions of the basic recipe, adding approximately 150 grams of raisins to the mixture. The rest of the procedure remains unchanged.
Vegan chestnuts with pistachio custard
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Just looking at them makes Alessia’s vegan chestnuts from “Diritto in cucina” make your mouth water. Her egg-free, dairy-free and low-sugar recipe includes a delicious pistachio custard-based filling.
As for the ingredients, Alessia uses type 1 spelled flour, cane sugar, chickpea flour, almond drink, oil, orange juice or aniseed liqueur, lemon, yeast, vanilla. While for cooking the chestnuts he relies on the oven, cooking them for 15 minutes at 190°.
If you want to use the air fryer, we recommend placing the balls on the basket and cooking them for 9 minutes at 200°, then turning them halfway through cooking and cooking them for another 2 minutes or until completely golden.
Chestnuts with honey
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Honey chestnuts are apparently typical of the Marche and the blog “Vaniglia Storie di Cucina” offers us the historic Marche recipe. Which is prepared with the following ingredients:
You need to mix the egg yolks with the sugar and gradually add the different ingredients, including the egg whites. Small cylinders are made from the dough, which in the traditional recipe should be fried in oil. We advise you to cook them with the air fryer considering that on average 9 minutes at 200° should be enough, and another 2 minutes after turning the chestnuts. Honey should be added before serving.
Chestnuts with apples
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Ingredients
Procedure
Peel the apples, cut them into small cubes and leave them to flavor for a few minutes with a pinch of sugar and cinnamon or with lemon zest. In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, then add the soft butter and, if you like, the Rum or the Strega, continuing to whisk. Gradually incorporate the sifted flour together with the yeast until you obtain a smooth, soft dough, then add the apple pieces and mix gently to distribute them evenly. Heat plenty of seed oil and, using a spoon, take small quantities of dough and drop them into the hot oil; fry the chestnuts a few at a time until they are swollen and golden brown. Drain them on absorbent paper and pass them while still hot in granulated sugar.
If you prefer a lighter version, you can also cook them in the air fryer: form balls, place them in the basket lined with baking paper, preheat at 170°C for 2 minutes and cook them for about 8 minutes, then turn them and continue for another 2 minutes, until golden. The result remains surprisingly soft and fragrant, with all the flavor of traditional apple chestnuts.
