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These Air Fryer Shishito Peppers are an easy snack that are filled with smoky, charred, and delectable flavors.
Shishito peppers are the perfect snack for those that love smoky peppers, but aren’t very good with spice. Hailing from East Asia, shishito peppers are commonly cooked in a wok and enjoyed as a snack. By making them in the air fryer, you get the same effect without all the oil and effort!
Why You’ll Love It
- Effortless Cooking: Air frying shishito peppers is a breeze. The air fryer’s quick and even cooking ensures you get that perfect combination of char and crunch so that each bite tastes smoky yet sweet.
- Time Saver: No need to wait around. The air fryer gets those shishito peppers ready in a fraction of the time it takes with other methods – perfect for when you want a quick, tasty snack.
- Customizable Flavor: Sprinkle with salt, add a dash of your favorite seasoning – the air fryer lets you tailor the taste to your liking. Enjoy flavorful shishito peppers with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.
» If you love the char on these peppers you might these Air Fryer Onions that come out with that same great smoky sweet flavor.
Ingredients You Need
- Shishito Peppers: they are a mild pepper that are often eaten in East Asia. Spice levels can vary between peppers, but they are still a milder pepper.
- Cooking Spray or Olive Oil: using a bit of oil will prevent the shishito peppers from sticking to the air fryer basket.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: will be used as a garnish, to add an extra level of flavor to the peppers after cooking.
- Flake Salt: has a larger grain than regular salt, so it’s best for garnishing. Feel free to use kosher salt as well.
Equipment Information
- Air fryer: I use the 5.5-quart Ninja MaxXL basket-style air fryer. Angie uses this 5-quart Cosori Pro LE air fryer. We also both occasionally use the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill that has an air fryer setting.
- Kitchen tongs: It’s very easy to remove food from your air fryer with kitchen tongs. I use these kitchen tongs that are silicon coated so they don’t scratch the interior.
Helpful Tips
- Since you will be eating the skin of the shishito peppers, make sure to wash them thoroughly.
- Toss the shishito peppers around the basket halfway through cooking to help them cook more evenly.
- Pair the peppers with a sauce or dip for an extra level of flavor.
- This recipe works well with other types of peppers, so experiment with bell peppers or jalapenos for more smoky snacks.
- Wear food-safe gloves when handling shishito peppers and avoid touching your face. Though they are mild, the spice from them can still hurt your eyes and nose.
- Shishito peppers from East Asia are similar to Padron peppers from Spain. They can be used interchangeably.
- Typically shishito peppers run from 50-200 Scoville Heat Units, so they are very mild. Only 1 in 10 peppers is slightly spicier.
How To Make Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
Step One: Prep the peppers
Start by washing the peppers and drying them thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer basket.
Spray the peppers with cooking oil or toss them in cooking oil before adding them to the basket.
Step Two: Add to the basket & air fryer
Air fry at 400° F(205°C) for 6 minutes, shaking the basket half way through cooking.
Transfer the peppers to a plate. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with flake salt before serving hot.
Substitutions & Variations:
- Shishito Peppers: if you can’t find shishito peppers, you can also use padron peppers. Shishito peppers from East Asia are similar to Padron peppers from Spain. They can be used interchangeably.
- Citrus: instead of garnishing the peppers with olive oil, squeeze some lemon juice over them for a nice kick of citrus.
- Saucy: pair the peppers with a refreshing sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic and lemon juice. Shishito pairs wonderfully with citrus flavors, so try it with the above mix or with Ponzu sauce.
Questions About the Recipe
Are shishito peppers spicy?
The spice level of shishito peppers can vary between each pepper. However, none are ever spicier than a jalapeno. So, even the spiciest shishito pepper is quite mild. Typically shishito peppers run from 50-200 Scoville Heat Units, so they are very mild. Only one in 1 in 10 peppers is slightly spicier.
Should I trim the top off the shishito peppers?
There’s no need to trim the peppers. It is best to cook them whole. The top leaves you a little handle to pick them up by.
Can I eat shishito peppers raw?
Yes, you can eat shishito peppers raw, but they taste best cooked.
Are air fryer shishito peppers good to make ahead of time?
We don’t recommend cooking the peppers ahead of time. Once they have cooled down, they tend to turn soft and squishy. They are best eaten hot straight out of the air fryer with a little olive oil and flake salt.
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Easy Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
Equipment
- Kitchen Tongs
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound (227 g) shishito peppers
- Cooking spray or olive oil
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) Extra Virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (6 g) flake salt
Instructions
- Place the peppers in the air fryer basket. Spray with cooking oil (or toss with olive oil before putting into the basket).
- Air fry at 400° F(205°C) for 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
- Transfer the peppers to a plate. Drizzle on olive oil and sprinkle with flake salt before serving hot.
Notes
- Since you will be eating the skin of the shishito peppers, make sure to wash them thoroughly.
- Toss the shishito peppers around the basket halfway through cooking to help them cook more evenly.
- Pair the peppers with a sauce or dip for an extra level of flavor.
- This recipe works well with other types of peppers, so experiment with bell peppers or jalapenos for more smoky snacks.
- Wear food-safe gloves when handling shishito peppers and avoid touching your face. Though they are mild, the spice from them can still hurt your eyes and nose.
- Shishito peppers from East Asia are similar to Padron peppers from Spain. They can be used interchangeably.
- Typically shishito peppers run from 50-200 Scoville Heat Units, so they are very mild. Only 1 in 10 peppers is slightly spicier.
All air fryers have different wattage and may cook at different rates. You may need to adjust the time or temp for the best results.
Nutrition
Laura is a passionate foodie and owner of Air Fry Anytime She is dedicated to sharing delicious recipes and helpful tips for using air fryers at home. With years of experience in the kitchen and a love for healthy, flavorful cooking, Laura has become an expert at using air fryers to create amazing meals that are both nutritious and delicious.
The perfect appetizer!
I’ve never heard of these before. I will look for them at the store.
I hope you can find them. They are delicious.
I had these at a restaurant and fell in love. This recipe helped me recreate that at home.
We love them too!
My friends loved these.