Sugar-Glazed Roasted Chestnuts
A simple oven method for achieving perfectly caramelized chestnuts with a sweet, glossy finish. The chestnuts develop a natural opening during roasting, making them easy to peel and enjoy.
Story
This classic Chinese autumn treat brings the comfort of street-side roasting to your home kitchen. The key is scoring the chestnuts before baking—they pop open beautifully, ready for the sweet glaze.
Ingredients
fresh chestnuts
500 grams
brown sugar
3 tablespoons
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons
water
1 tablespoon
Instructions
1
Prepare the chestnuts
Rinse the chestnuts under cold water and pat completely dry with a clean towel. Sort through to remove any that are cracked or damaged.
2
Score the shells
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a single slit through the outer shell of each chestnut. Work from the flatter side and cut about 5mm deep. Place cut-side up on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
3
First roast
Slide the tray into a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F). Roast for 15 minutes until the shells naturally split open and the interior flesh becomes tender.
4
Make the glaze
While the chestnuts are still hot, combine brown sugar, vegetable oil, and water in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar dissolves and creates a smooth, pourable mixture.
5
Glaze and finish
Brush the warm glaze generously over the opened chestnuts, letting it seep into the cuts. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes until the glaze becomes sticky and caramelized. Let cool slightly before serving.
