Crockpot Boiled Peanuts
Have you ever tried boiled peanuts in the crockpot? I discovered these a couple of years ago, and they’re now in my regular rotation whenever I’m having friends over and I want to serve up some easy snacks. They’re super simple to prep, but they’re always such a hit that I wanted to share them with you here on the blog!
Boiled peanuts are a true Southern staple, and the kind of snack you’ll find at roadside stands, festivals, and just about any gathering with good food and good company. They’re salty, soft, and packed with nostalgic, down-home flavor. They’re good at any time of the year, but I think they work particularly well during the fall and winter months as they have a beautiful coziness about them.
Give them a try, and let me know what you think!
Ingredients
I know that many of you prefer a printable recipe card, and that’s why I’ve included one for you at the bottom of the post. Feel free to skip straight to it if you’re in a hurry. I do highly recommend reading through the next few sections though, where I’ll be covering selecting your ingredients, sharing photos from the process, and giving some tips on getting things just right.
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Raw peanuts in the shell: Make sure you’re using raw peanuts — not roasted! You’ll usually find them in the produce section or at farmers markets during peanut season. The shells should be firm but not dried out.
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Salt: This is your starting point — enough to give them good flavor, but feel free to taste and adjust as they cook. Some folks like them extra salty (me included!).
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Water: Just enough to cover the peanuts in the crockpot, with about an inch of space at the top. You may need to top it off during cooking if the level gets low.
How To Make Crockpot Boiled Peanuts
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Rinse and soak: Start by sorting through your raw peanuts to remove any stray shells or bits of debris. Give them a good rinse, then soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes. Drain when you’re done.
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Add to the crockpot: Place the peanuts in your slow cooker and add the salt. Cover with water — you want about an inch of space at the top so it doesn’t overflow as it simmers.
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Cook low and slow: Set your crockpot to high and cook for about 7½ hours, or until the peanuts are as soft as you like them. Some people like a little bite, others want them super tender — totally up to you.
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Taste and adjust: About halfway through, grab a peanut and give it a taste. If it’s not salty enough, add a little more salt and give everything a stir.
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Keep an eye on the water: If the water level dips below the top of the peanuts while they cook, just add more. You want them fully submerged the whole time.
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Drain and serve: Once they’re tender and seasoned to your liking, drain the peanuts and dig in! Serve warm or store for snacking later.
Storage Tips
The best way to store boiled peanuts is in an airtight container in the fridge — just make sure they’re fully drained first. Skip the liquid, or they’ll get mushy fast. Stored this way, they’ll keep for up to a week. They don’t freeze well, so it’s best to make a batch you’ll enjoy within a few days (which honestly isn’t hard to do).
Recipe Notes & Tips
At around 7½ hours, the peanuts turned out nice and soft — just how I like them. If you prefer them with a bit more bite, you can shave off some cook time.
Since every crockpot runs a little differently, your cooking time may vary slightly, so check in toward the end.
As for the salt, ¼ cup is a solid starting point, but saltiness is totally personal. Be sure to taste a peanut about halfway through cooking — that gives you time to add more salt if needed and let it really soak in. If you like your peanuts just lightly salted, start with just ⅛ cup and adjust from there.
Serving Ideas
Boiled peanuts are best served warm, straight from the pot (or right after draining). They make the perfect snack for game days, tailgates, road trips, or lazy weekend afternoons. Keep a bowl nearby for shells, as things get a little messy, but that’s part of the fun. If you’re serving a crowd, keep them warm in the crockpot on the ‘warm’ setting and let everyone help themselves.
Crockpot Boiled Peanuts
Ingredients
- 2 lbs raw peanuts in shells
- ¼ cup salt
- Water
Instructions
- Rinse and soak: Start by sorting through your raw peanuts to remove any stray shells or bits of debris. Give them a good rinse, then soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes. Drain when you're done.
- Add to the crockpot: Place the peanuts in your slow cooker and add the salt. Cover with water — you want about an inch of space at the top so it doesn’t overflow as it simmers.
- Cook low and slow: Set your crockpot to high and cook for about 7½ hours, or until the peanuts are as soft as you like them. Some people like a little bite, others want them super tender — totally up to you.
- Taste and adjust: About halfway through, grab a peanut and give it a taste. If it’s not salty enough, add a little more salt and give everything a stir.
- Keep an eye on the water: If the water level dips below the top of the peanuts while they cook, just add more. You want them fully submerged the whole time.
- Drain and serve: Once they’re tender and seasoned to your liking, drain the peanuts and dig in! Serve warm or store for snacking later.
Boiled peanuts aren’t fancy, but they’re the kind of snack that brings people together — salty, soft, and more than just a little bit addictive. Making them in the crockpot couldn’t be easier, and once you’ve got a batch going, the hardest part is waiting for them to finish. I hope you really love this Southern favorite! If you try the recipe, I’d really appreciate it if you could leave a quick review below. It helps other readers, and it always makes my day to read them!
