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–+ servings
in serving bowl

Chili Lime Cashews

Kitchen Ready Betty
These Chili Lime Cashews are a zesty and crunchy snack that combines smoky chili heat with a bright citrus finish. They are a quick, healthy alternative to store-bought nuts and can be whipped up in your air fryer in just five minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizers, Snacks
Servings 8
Calories 186 kcal

Equipment

  • air fryer (I make this recipe in my Ninja Air Fryer 6.5 QT Pro XL)
  • medium mixing bowl
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • citrus juicer 

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Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups salted whole cashews see notes below about using raw or roasted
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice 1 medium lime
  • salt added to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat air fryer to 300℉ and set the air frying time to 5 minutes.
  • In a medium bowl, add cashews, chili powder and brown sugar; mix well.
  • Pour in the lime juice; mix thoroughly until all nuts are coated.
  • Arrange nuts in single layer in the air fryer (you may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your basket).
  • Halfway through the cooking time (2.5 minutes), gently shake the basket. Repeat at the 1 minute mark.
  • When air frying is finished (5 minutes total), remove basket from air fryer. Sprinkle the warm nuts with salt to taste; stir. Let nuts rest in basket for 1 minute.
  • Arrange nuts on clean workspace or cutting board; make sure they aren't overlapping. Allow to cool 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

I use salted whole cashews for this recipe. If you would prefer to use raw cashews, you may need to air fry them a little longer (the recipe hasn't been tested for this option). I don't recommend using pre-roasted cashews as they will dry out and get too dark.
The specific model used for this recipe is a Ninja Air Fryer 6.5 QT Pro XL, which fits the cashews in a single layer. If you are using a smaller air fryer, you should cook the nuts in batches to ensure they air fry evenly.
Because different models circulate air differently, you may need to adjust your batches or shaking technique based on your specific machine.
Store chili lime cashews in an airtight container in your pantry. They will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25 cupCalories: 186kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 224mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 76IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 2mg
Keyword air fryer, cashews, chili, chili lime cashews, chili powder, easy recipe, lime
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