Have you tried Air Fryer Shishito Peppers yet? These mild, thin-skinned peppers become perfectly blistered in the air fryer, creating an easy appetizer, snack, or side dish that's ready in just 20 minutes.
One of my favorite things about shishito peppers is that they're fun to eat and surprisingly simple to prepare. A squeeze of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of flaky salt are all they need, although they're equally delicious served with a creamy dip like my Vegan Horseradish Aioli.
Whether you're hosting company, looking for a quick appetizer, or simply want an easy vegetable side dish, these air fryer shishito peppers are a flavorful addition any party spread or meal.
Looking for another easy vegetable side? Try this Roasted Cauliflower recipe.
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These blistered yet tender shishito peppers are perfect for sharing and make an easy finger food for parties and gatherings. They're a light appetizer to enjoy with an Aperol Spritz or Hugo Spritz before dinner and are just as delicious served as a simple side dish.
Looking for another crispy, crowd-pleasing recipe? Try these Air-Fried Potatoes next.
What Are Shishito Peppers?
If you're reading this recipe, there's a good chance you're already familiar with shishito peppers. If not, let me introduce you to one of my favorite peppers (and appetizers!).
Shishito peppers are small, slender Japanese peppers with thin skin, mild heat, and a slightly sweet flavor. They're easy to prepare and are perfect for snacking, entertaining, or serving alongside your favorite meals.
One of the things that makes shishito peppers so interesting is their unpredictability. Most are mild, but about one in ten peppers packs a surprising kick of heat. That little element of surprise makes them especially fun to serve as an appetizer.
When cooked until blistered, shishito peppers develop a slightly smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with fresh lime juice and flaky salt. I love making them in the air fryer because it's quick and nearly effortless.
Why I Love This Recipe
The air fryer is the perfect way to prepare shishito peppers with minimal prepping time and clean-up.
- Quick and easy - Air fryer shishito peppers are ready in about 20 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute appetizers, snacks, or side dishes.
- Minimal prep and cleanup - Simply toss the peppers with oil and let the air fryer do the work. There's no need to stand over the stove.
- Uses less oil - The air fryer creates tender, blistered shishito petters with far less oil than traditional frying methods.
- Easy to customize - Keep things simple as I do with lime juice and flaky salt, or experiment with your favorite spices, seasonings, and dipping sauces.
- Perfect for entertaining - These shishito peppers are always one of the first appetizers to disappear. They're easy to pick up, dip, and enjoy - no utensils required. Just hold the stem, dip, and take a bite!
Ingredients
Here are the simple, minimal ingredients to make this recipe:
- Raw shishito peppers are easily found in grocery stores. I've found them at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and local farmers markets. Look for firm, bright green peppers without blemishes.
- Fresh lime is the best! Please don't use the stuff in the plastic containers.
- Salt - use your favorite flaky sea salt; I like to use Maldon salt for the tasty large salt flakes. Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt are excellent choices, too.
- Avocado oil - you can use an avocado oil spray or toss the peppers with oil in a bowl. Use an oil that can tolerate high heat.
A complete ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
I tried this Shishito Peppers recipe with my family last night, and we loved it! The peppers came out crispy and just the right amount of spicy. Definitely making these again!
- Dawn
Substitutions
- Shishito peppers - If you can't find them, try Padrón peppers instead. These small, green Spanish peppers tend to be a bit spicier, and cooking times may vary slightly, so keep an eye on them as they cook.
- Lime - Fresh lemon juice works in place of lime juice and adds a bright, citrusy finish.
- Avocado oil - Substitute with another neutral, high-heat oil such as grapeseed oil.
- Salt - Flaked sea salt adds great texture and flavor, but feel free to use your favorite seasoning blend instead.
Variations
- Asian-inspired - Before serving, sprinkle the peppers with sesame seeds and drizzle with soy sauce or coconut aminos and a few drops of toasted sesame oil. Or toss the peppers with a tablespoon of teriyaki sauce before air frying for a sweet and savory twist.
- Deluxe - Serve the peppers with Vegan Horseradish Aioli or Vegan Garlic Lemon Aioli for an easy appetizer that feels a little extra special.
- Oil-free - Skip the oil altogether. The peppers will still blister nicely in the air fryer.
- Seasoning - Season the air fryer shishito peppers with garlic powder, smoked paprika, or both for extra flavor.
- Spicy - Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a drizzle of chili crisp, or your favorite hot sauce before serving.
How To Make This Air Fryer Shishito Pepper Recipe
It is easy to air-fry shishito peppers, even if it's your first time! Here are the simple steps:
- Step 1: Rinse the shishito peppers under cool tap water and pat them dry. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes.
- Step 2: Toss the shishito peppers with a teaspoon of oil in a medium bowl and transfer them to the air fryer basket. Alternatively, spray the shishito peppers with avocado oil spray after placing them in the basket, shaking to distribute the oil evenly.
- Step 3: Cook the peppers for 10 minutes, shaking the basket a few times to ensure they cook evenly. They'll be ready when they're blistered and browned in spots.
- Step 4: Transfer the air-fried shishito peppers to a serving plate. Sprinkle with salt and squeeze some fresh lime juice over them.
Serve the Air-Fried Shishito Peppers immediately. They are best enjoyed hot and delicious with a tasty dip like this vegan horseradish aioli or your favorite dipping sauce. See serving suggestions below for more ideas.
Expert Tip
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shishito peppers in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking and steaming, affecting the final texture.
Equipment
Air fryer - I love my air fryer because it is a quick and easy way to cook food with much less oil than cooking on the range. Depending on the size of your air fryer and the quantity of shishito peppers, you may need to do multiple batches. I cook 8 oz shishito peppers in my 3-quart air fryer.
How To Serve These Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
These air fryer shishito peppers are delicious on their own, but they're also easy to dress up for entertaining.
- Serve with Vegan horseradish aioli, vegan garlic lemon aioli, or your favorite dipping sauce.
- Sprinkle with Everything Bagel seasoning for crunch and flavor.
- Top with Coconut Bacon crumbles for a smoky, savory finish.
- Pair with a happy-hour cocktail like a Tamarind Margarita or Blood Orange Pomegranate Margarita.
- Add them to an appetizer spread alongside 4-ingredient guacamole, roasted beet hummus, and mango habanero salsa with tortilla chips and pita chips.
- Serve as a side dish with an easy stir fry recipe with vegetables and pan-fried tofu for an easy weeknight meal.
There you have it. Air-fried shishito Peppers are an easy, tasty, healthy snack or side dish perfect for any occasion. Enjoy this restaurant-style appetizer at home!
Recipe FAQs
If you don't have an air fryer, you can easily blister shishito peppers in the oven or on the stovetop. To broil them, place the peppers on a baking sheet and broil for 4 to 5 minutes, turning as needed until blistered on all sides. You can also cook them in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat with or without oil until they're tender and lightly charred.
Once cooked and seasoned, shishito peppers are typically eaten whole, including the seeds. Simply hold the stem, take a bite, and discard the stem when you're finished. The stem acts as a convenient built-in handle, making these peppers an easy finger food for snacking and entertaining.
Store leftover air fryer shishito peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and lightly crisped. While they're best enjoyed fresh, leftovers make a tasty addition to grain bowls, salads, and stir-fries.
Most shishito peppers are mild and slightly sweet. However, about one in ten peppers can be surprisingly spicy, which is part of what makes them so fun to eat. Since it's difficult to tell which pepper will be hot, every bite comes with a little element of surprise.
Related Vegan Recipes
If you try this recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Recipe
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
EQUIPMENT
INGREDIENTS
- 8 oz fresh shishito peppers
- Avocado oil spray or a teaspoon of high heat oil
- ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt such as Maldon sea salt or your favorite sea salt, to taste
- ½ lime cut into wedges
INSTRUCTIONS
- Rinse the shishito peppers and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes.
- Spray the shishito peppers in the air fryer basket with avocado oil spray or toss the peppers with a teaspoon of oil in a medium bowl, using your hands to combine.
- Place the peppers in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket occasionally until the peppers are blistered and slightly charred.
- Place the shishito peppers on a serving platter. Sprinkle the peppers with coarse salt and serve with lime wedges immediately.
NOTES
- Serve immediately.
- For the best blistering, air fry the shishito peppers in batches and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes until they're heated through.
NUTRITION
Resplendent Kitchen offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site as a courtesy. Although resplendentkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information from online calculators, these figures are estimates.
Donalyn says
These look amazing! Putting these on the list for when ours are ready to harvest!
Emily Miller says
Thanks so much, Donalyn! How lucky are you to be growing these peppers? I hope you enjoy them!
Dawn says
I tried this Shishito Peppers recipe with my family last night, and we loved it! The peppers came out crispy and just the right amount of spicy. Definitely making these again!
Emily Miller says
Thank you so much for your review, Dawn. I'm happy that you all loved these air fryer peppers!
Anonymous says
Easy and versatile recipe. Thank you!
Emily Miller says
Thank you very much!
Nicole says
My family loved this!
Emily Miller says
Thank you, Nicole!
Eiizabeth says
This recipe is tasty and easy to make.
Emily Miller says
Thank you for sharing, Elizabeth! I'm glad to hear it!
Meg says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I love peppers and these were so easy to make perfectly in the air fryer. Thanks again.
Emily Miller says
Thanks so much, Meg! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.
Andrea says
These peppers turned out so good! Love how easy they are to make in the air fryer too! Love it!
Emily Miller says
Thanks so much, Andrea! I'm glad you enjoyed these air fryer shishitos!
Helen says
These little peppers are delicious! They are great as an appetizer or as a side with barbecue. My adult grandson really loved them!
Emily Miller says
That's wonderful, Helen, I'm so glad to hear it!
Amy says
Wow! This is such a great treat that everyone will gonna love and enjoy. A snack food that will be great to any occasion! Loved it!
Emily Miller says
Thank you for your feedback, Amy! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it!