Twisted Skillet’s Cantina Peanuts

Twisted Skillet’s Cantina Peanuts are a crispy bar snack made with raw Spanish peanuts, fried up with garlic, chile de árbol, and crunchy tortilla bits, creating a classic, savory Mexican “botana” or appetizer.

Today is the day: the series premiere of Twisted Skillet! RFD Network’s newest food and lifestyle program is the crossroads where restaurant inspiration meets cowboy culinary creativity, exploring open-fire cooking techniques and regional ingredients.

Host and Texas chef Sean Koehler joins us again on Thursday’s Market Day Report for a taste of what we can expect. With “The Big Game” coming up on Sunday, he is sharing some unique recipes to help spice up our weekend festivities. On today’s menu: Cantina Peanuts.

———

Cantina Peanuts

Recipe by Sean Koehler, Twisted Skillet

PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES
TOTAL TIME: 20 MINUTES

Twisted Skillet’s Cantina Peanuts are a crispy bar snack made with raw Spanish peanuts, fried up with garlic, chile de árbol, and crunchy tortilla bits, creating a classic, savory Mexican “botana” or appetizer.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb. Spanish peanuts, raw with skins
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil or neutral frying oil
  • 3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 corn tortillas cut into 1/4-inch squares
  • 5 –8 dried chile de árbol, seeds removed and finely chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Knorr chicken bouillon powder (optional)

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

  1. In a large stockpot (at least 4 quarts), heat the oil over medium heat
  2. Add the sliced garlic and fry until lightly golden and crisp. Do not burn. Remove immediately and set aside.
  3. Add the tortilla squares to the same oil and fry until golden and crisp. Remove and set aside with the garlic.
  4. Turn the heat down and add the peanuts and chopped chile de árbol.
  5. Return the oil to medium heat. Continuously stir the peanuts in the Chile and garlic-infused oil.
  6. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the peanuts deepen in color and are fully toasted.
  7. Remove from the oil using a metal slotted spoon or wok tool, then transfer the mixture to a serving bowl.
  8. Stir in the fried garlic chips and tortilla chips. Season with salt, to taste.
  9. Let the peanut mixture cool slightly before serving; the peanuts will continue to crisp up as they cool.

———

Don’t miss the series premiere of Twisted Skillet TONIGHT — Thursday, Feb. 5, at 9:00 PM ET — only on RFD Network and streaming on RFD+.

Related Stories
Quick to prep and packed with flavor, this dish is a bold way to kick up any weekend spread.
She joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to share more about her new cookbook, “Dishes and Devotions: Make Every Day Delicious,” which recently hit #1 in Amazon’s Cajun & Creole Cooking category.
Searches for “struggle meal” hit a record high in September, and #strugglemeals posts are climbing on Instagram and TikTok, reflecting a wave of budget-cooking content.
A tangy, buttery red snapper baked to perfection.
Justin Wilson’s Seven Steaks Étouffée is a slow-simmered Cajun beef stew made with 7-bone chuck steak. It’s perfect served over rice (or Étouffée) for a rich, comforting meal.
This Justin Wilson recipe is classic comfort food with bold Louisiana flavor: Southern-style baked pork chops layered over spicy Cajun dressing fortified with wine, hot sauce, and a splash of steak sauce.
Justin Wilson’s unexpected cobbler recipe features juicy blueberries, a splash of brandy, and a tender crust with subtle nuttiness thanks to a bit of peanut butter melted into the batter.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

President Donald Trump speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, addressing SNAP spending, tariff threats against Europe, market reactions, and the upcoming USMCA review.
From meatpacking settlements to landmark NEPA rulings, Roger McEowen outlines the top legal developments in 2025 that will shape agriculture in the years ahead.
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us to review new policies and regulations supporting the dairy industry and what they mean for the year ahead.
Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
Corn growers are turning to ethanol, E15 expansion, and export markets to help absorb record supplies and stabilize prices. Farm leaders discuss low-carbon ethanol demand, flex-fuel vehicle challenges, input costs, and the role of USMCA as producers look for market relief in the year ahead.
From rising trade tensions in Europe to a pending Supreme Court decision on tariffs and shifting demand from China, global trade policy spearheaded by President Donald Trump continues to shape the outlook for U.S. agriculture—adding uncertainty as farmers navigate another volatile year.
More Shows
Created by professionals who are horsemen themselves, “Equestrian Nation” is a program featuring stories about scores of different equine breeds and disciplines from all around the world.
Chris Cox has had a lifetime of education with the greatest, most important teacher of all: the horse. Simply put, Chris Cox Horsemanship shows horse people how to get results.
Best of America by Horseback is a top-quality television show that offers trail riders a long list of scenic locations to visit—incorporating educational information about the location’s trails, camping and lodging facilities, amenities, history, and other fun things to do at each place! Not to mention, they share valuable equine product recommendations!
In the first week of each month, “Down Home Virginia,” produced by the Virginia Farm Bureau, airs its half-hour program. Other states’ Farm Bureaus featured on different weeks include Texas, Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Idaho, and New York, and news from the American Farm Bureau from Washington, D.C.
Created by former Louisiana Farm Bureau PR Director and former host Regnal Wallace, “This Week in Louisiana Agriculture,” is one of the state’s longest-running TV programs.
From the rapid technological advances in the business of farming to the policy that helps shape the industry, growers get unparalleled perspective from these guys. Max Armstrong, Mike Pearson and Greg Soulje: the names producers have long known and trusted for agriculture news, weather, and commentary.
Watch Rural Evening News on RFD Network to catch up on that day’s news surrounding agriculture and markets from across the world.
When it comes to truck and tractor pulling, the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) is a world leader as well as the sport’s oldest and most respected entity when it comes to premier competition. They host more than 280 sessions of pulling action throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Every day on RFD Network, “Market Day Report” delivers LIVE coverage of agribusiness news, weather, and commodity market information from across the world. Our commodity markets coverage is updated every half hour to bringyou the latest agriculture news.
Farm Monitor shines a light on Southeastern agriculture and is the only weekly news and information program dedicated to Georgia’s largest and most important industry: agriculture.