Roasted Peanuts

• Roasting gives peanuts a smoky flavor and crisp texture. Use raw, shelled peanuts and roast them dry for about 20 minutes in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven. Alternatively, microwave roast the peanuts by tossing them with olive oil and cooking them on high, stirring every two minutes, for about 10 minutes. You can snack on the nuts plain, or toss them with olive oil or butter. Salt, garlic powder, chili powder or a drizzle of honey can also improve the flavor of this simple snack.

Boiled Raw Peanuts

• Try boiling peanuts for a salty snack. For green raw peanuts, submerge them in a salt brine, made by dissolving 10 ounces of salt into every gallon of water. Boil the peanuts in a covered pot until they are tender, about 45 minutes. If you start with dry raw peanuts, soak them in water overnight. Simmer these in a slow cooker for about eight hours on low, finishing with an additional 1 ½ hours on medium. Drain and dry the peanuts before tossing them with additional spices, such as you would with roasted peanuts.

Fried Peanuts

• Fried peanuts provide another quick snack option. This method results in a crisp exterior and tender interior. Deep fry them in a fryer basket submerged 360 F oil until they begin to brown. Alternatively, fry them in 1 or 2 inches of oil, stirring constantly, until they begin to brown, and then cool and drain. Fried peanut snacks are usually just seasoned with salt, but you can toss them with other herbs and spices if desired.

More Snack Ideas

• Raw peanuts, whether used raw or after roasting, boiling or frying, also work well in other snack mixes. Combine them with other nuts, chocolate candies and dried fruits to make a party mix. Stir the peanuts into softened ice cream or add them to cookie recipes. Blend raw peanuts in a food processor until they are crumbly, then add just enough peanut oil to make it spreadable to create your own raw peanut butter for smearing on crackers or toast.