Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
Ready in 5 minutes, with just 3 ingredients, these simple air fryer shishito peppers make the perfect vegan appetizer or snack! These healthier shishito peppers cook up with less oil than pan frying thanks to the air fryer!
My first experience with shishito peppers happened on a summer trip in Spain. We ducked into a little restaurant and enjoyed a wide variety of tapas including blistered shishito peppers with a delicious Romesco sauce.
After we got back from Spain we wanted to bring a little Catalonian culture into our kitchen. We made pan con tomate (almost nightly) and even tried our hand at paella but the memory of the shishito peppers slipped away.
It wasn’t until a local restaurant opened up down the street that served shishito peppers that we remembered the little hole in the wall place in Spain and began craving them at home.
What are Shishito Peppers?
Shishito peppers are small, thin peppers that mature from green to red. Most shishito peppers are harvested while they are green. These slender peppers originated in Japan where the name alludes to the way the pepper looks like a lion’s head.
Are Shishito Peppers Hot?
Typically no. Shishito peppers are quite mild in flavor, similar to a bell pepper. They have a slightly sweet profile, although about 1 in 10 will bring a kick of heat. If you are worried about the heat, keep in mind it’s about 10 times less hot than a jalapeño pepper.
When are shishtio peppers in season?
Shishito peppers follow the same seasonality as other peppers with a peak season through the summer and into the early fall.
You can find shishito peppers year round. We typically get ours at The Fresh Market.
Why We Love These Simple Shishito Peppers
This air fryer shishito pepper recipe cooks up in under 5 minutes making it a quick and easy appetizer or snack. Some other reasons we love making these shishito peppers include:
- Hands free recipe– These blistered peppers cook up without any stirring or monitoring.
- Healthy Appetizer– Made with peppers, a little oil, and some salt, these peppers are both simple and healthy.
- Uses less oil than the stovetop– This method of cooking the peppers keeps the oil to a minimum while the flavor is at an all time high!
How to Make Shishito Peppers in the Air Fryer
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Shishito Peppers– Roughly 8 ounces of fresh shishito peppers.
- Oil- I used olive oil in this recipe.
- Salt– Kosher salt helps bring out the bright flavor of these peppers.
Steps for Perfectly Blistered Shishito Peppers
Please note this method for Air Fryer Shishito Peppers has been tested and perfected on the Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer (Amazon affiliate link). Other makes and models may yield different results so I would recommend testing around to see what works best for your air fryer.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Season peppers: While the air fryer preheats, mix shishito peppers with olive oil, and kosher salt.
- Add peppers: When the air fryer is preheated, add the shishito peppers to the basket.
- Air fry for 4 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Remove from air fryer and season with additional salt as needed.
Storing and Reheating Shishito Peppers
These blistered shishito peppers are best eaten right after cooking. If you have left overs:
- Allow to come to room temperature before storing.
- Place in an air tight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 360°F for 2 minutes.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
These helpful kitchen tools make these blistered shishito peppers a breeze.
- Air Fryer– Used to roast and blister the shishito peppers.
- Glass Bowls– Used to coat the peppers with a little olive oil and salt.
What to Serve with Shishito Peppers
My personal preference for shishito peppers is just a touch of salt. Some other ways to serve these peppers include:
- A fresh squeeze of lemon juice
- With avocado lime ranch sauce
Make it a meal with:
More Air Fryer Recipes to Make Next
If you tried this simple air fryer shishito pepper recipe feel free to leave a comment below, I would love to hear how it went! You can also snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy to share all your life after dairy adventures!
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Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
This simple recipe for air fryer shishito peppers cooks up in under 5 minutes with just 3 ingredients for a delicious vegan appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Shishito Peppers
- ½ teaspoon Olive Oil
- ⅛ teaspoon Kosher Salt
Instructions
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Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
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While the air fryer preheats, mix 8 ounces shishito peppers with ½ teaspoon olive oil, and ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt.
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When the air fryer is preheated, add the shishito peppers to the basket.
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Air fry for 4 minutes, shaking halfway.
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Remove from air fryer after 4 minutes and season with additional salt as needed.
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