- 1 pound dry fava beans
- Kosher or sea salt
- Water
- Vegetable or grapeseed oil
Growing up in a Portuguese household in the Southeastern part of Massachusetts, food was an important part of our family. I recently returned from visiting my family in Fall River and I thoroughly enjoyed eating all of my childhood favorites…I’d like to say that I am now on a diet, but instead I am sitting here eating one of my favorite salty snacks…Fava Nuts or Fried Fava Beans! These Fried Fava Beans can be found in every Portuguese market. Easy to make, you won’t have to live in Fall River to enjoy this salty treat!
In a large bowl, soak dried fava beans in slightly salted water for 8 hours or overnight. As the beans soak they will split apart. Split the beans that have not done so by gently pulling them apart.
Rinse, drain, and pat dry.
Heat vegetable or grapeseed oil in a small saucepan until lightly smoking. Carefully add handfuls of the halved beans to the oil. When lightly browned and bubbles are slow and steady, remove with slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels to catch the excess oil.
Lightly sprinkle with salt, toss together and repeat the process until all fava beans are fried. Allow the beans to cool and become crispy!
Hello, I’m Elise Johnson and I’m so glad you found your way here! From my own experience, cooking and eating together as a family nurtures and strengthens family relationships quicker and stronger than any other way. Join me as I continue my grandmother’s legacy of
inter-generational cooking by inspiring families and friends to make memories in the kitchen. 
Fava nuts are very addicting and one of the biggest things i miss about Fall River..
Hi Elizabeth! Where have you moved to?
When I buy them preroasted a majority of them are too hard to eat. If I try doing it myself, can I cook the beans to get them softer part way and then fry? Also can you roast other beans, i.e. lima?
Hi Karen, you can certainly try soaking them in water for a couple of hours, drying them out completely and then frying them up. Just be sure that they only soften a bit and not all the way. I imagine you can fry up any type of bean; lima beans sound great!