Air-Fried Shishito Peppers with Dipping Sauce
Looking for a delicious, nutrient-rich, and slightly spicy appetizer to pair with tonight's main course? These shishito peppers will be a unique and fun addition to your meal. They are a mouthwatering side dish with a blend of mild heat, rich flavors, and a satisfying crunch.
Shishito peppers make the perfect start to any meal, whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply looking to add some excitement to lunch or dinner. Spice up your meals with this delicious appetizer!
Why I Love This Recipe
1. Just the right amount of spice
Although I'm typically not a fan of spicy foods, I find that shishito peppers are a perfect balance for my palate. They tend to be quite mild in flavor, and their subtle spiciness offers just enough kick to keep things interesting without overpowering the dish.
2. Easy
What I love about air fryer recipes, and this one in particular, is how simple and quick they are! The entire process, from prep to plate, comes together in less than 15 minutes. Plus, it only calls for a handful of ingredients, making it stress-free and minimal effort that's perfect for those hectic days or impromptu get-togethers.
3. Healthy
Beyond their yummy flavor and easy preparation, shishito peppers also pack a nutritional punch. They're a great source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient known to boost our immune system and contribute to overall health. So not only are you indulging in a tasty treat, but you're doing your body a favor too!
IN THE MOOD FOR EVEN MORE AIR-FRIED APPETIZER RECIPES? CHECK OUT MY CRISPY AIR FRYER ZUCCHINI FRIES!
The Story Behind the Recipe
The inspiration behind this recipe comes from my mom, who's a major fan of spicy foods. Whenever we dine out together, she always orders the shishito peppers appetizer.
There's a level of excitement to each bite of the pepper, as you never know which one will have a little extra heat! So when my mom came over to help with my daughter Olive, I decided to recreate that restaurant favorite right in our kitchen. Spoiler alert: She loved them, polished them off in one sitting, and gave high praises to the dipping sauce!
Jazz's Recommended Products
To make the most out of this recipe, here are some of my favorite products:
Our Place Wonder Oven Air Fryer
This versatile air fryer is perfect for achieving that crispy texture on your shishito peppers. It's easy to use, efficient, and looks great on any kitchen counter.
Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray
This avocado oil spray is ideal for evenly coating your shishito peppers. It has a high smoke point, ensuring your peppers crisp up beautifully without burning. Plus, it's a healthier option compared to traditional cooking oils.
This avocado oil mayo is a great choice for making the creamy dipping sauce. It's made with simple, high-quality ingredients and adds a rich, delicious flavor to your dish.
Air Fried Shishito Peppers Ingredients
8 ounces of shishito peppers:
The star of the show. Shishito peppers are a mild, East Asian variety that pack a delightful, subtly sweet flavor. When looking to buy shishito peppers at the grocery store or farmers market, pick out firm, glossy peppers that are a vibrant green. And remember to wash and dry them thoroughly before use to ensure they're clean and ready for cooking.
2 teaspoons of avocado oil:
This oil is chosen for its mild flavor and high smoke point, making it ideal for air frying. Avocado oil ensures the peppers are evenly coated and will crisp up nicely in the air fryer without burning. However, olive oil and sesame oil also work well in this recipe if you prefer!
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt:
The salt elevates the shishito peppers' natural flavor. While a half teaspoon is suggested, you can always adjust this amount to suit your personal taste preference. Just remember, it's easier to add more salt later than to remove it, so it's often better to err on the side of less salt initially.
Sauce
Mayo:
This forms the creamy, rich base of the sauce. Its slightly tangy flavor pairs well with the other ingredients and complements the peppers without overpowering them.
Lemon or lime juice:
This adds a fresh, tangy burst of acidity to the sauce. It helps cut through the mayo's richness and enhances the flavor profile. Lemon juice also brightens up the taste and pairs wonderfully with the mild, slightly sweet heat of shishito peppers.
Paprika:
This adds a mild, sweet, smoky note to the sauce, giving it depth and complexity. It also imparts a lovely warm color to the sauce, making it visually appealing as well.
Garlic powder:
A must in many recipes for its savory depth, garlic powder contributes a layer of aromatic warmth that complements the smokiness of the paprika. It's a more subtle alternative to raw garlic, ensuring the sauce doesn't overpower the shishito peppers.
Salt:
The key to bringing all these flavors together, a bit of salt intensifies and balances the flavors in the sauce, helping to ensure that it's not overly sweet or tart. Always add salt to taste, as the ideal amount can vary.
Sauce
Mayo:
This forms the creamy, rich base of the sauce. Its slightly tangy flavor pairs well with the other ingredients and complements the peppers without overpowering them.
Lemon or lime juice:
This adds a fresh, tangy burst of acidity to the sauce. It helps cut through the mayo's richness and enhances the flavor profile. Lemon juice also brightens up the taste and pairs wonderfully with the mild, slightly sweet heat of shishito peppers.
Paprika:
This adds a mild, sweet, smoky note to the sauce, giving it depth and complexity. It also imparts a lovely warm color to the sauce, making it visually appealing as well.
Garlic powder:
A must in many recipes for its savory depth, garlic powder contributes a layer of aromatic warmth that complements the smokiness of the paprika. It's a more subtle alternative to raw garlic, ensuring the sauce doesn't overpower the shishito peppers.
Salt:
The key to bringing all these flavors together, a bit of salt intensifies and balances the flavors in the sauce, helping to ensure that it's not overly sweet or tart. Always add salt to taste, as the ideal amount can vary.
How to Make Shishito Peppers in the Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400F. This ensures the air fryer reaches the correct temperature so that your peppers will roast evenly and at the right speed, just like you'd preheat a conventional oven. For the best air frying results, I recommend this air fryer.
Next, you'll want to toss your shishito peppers in the avocado oil and salt (Pro tip: for more of a lemon-y kick, throw some lemon zest in there too!). Ensure they are all evenly coated. This process allows the oil and salt to permeate the peppers, seasoning them throughout and promoting that perfect crispy exterior.
Place the coated peppers into your air fryer basket. Aim for a single layer without overcrowding it. This is important for ensuring each pepper gets cooked evenly, allowing the hot air to circulate freely.
Set your timer for 9 minutes. At around halfway, spend a couple of minutes shaking the basket. This helps to rotate the peppers so they cook evenly on all sides.
While the peppers are roasting, you can put together your dipping sauce. Combine your mayo, lemon or lime juice, paprika, and garlic powder in a medium bowl, and whisk until smooth. This zesty, creamy sauce perfectly complements the mild heat of the shishito peppers.
Once the air fryer's timer dings, your roasted shishito peppers are ready! Transfer them to a serving plate, making sure to be careful as they'll be hot. Serve them alongside the dipping sauce, and dig in right away! The peppers are best enjoyed hot, right out of the air fryer, to truly savor their slightly charred, crispy texture and smoky, air-fried flavor.
FAQ
-
Air-fried shishito peppers make a flavorful addition to any meal! They're perfect as a snack on their own, served with a zesty dipping sauce. They also pair wonderfully with grilled meats, sushi, or noodle dishes. You can even use them as exotic toppings for pizzas or stir-fry.
-
Is this delicious recipe a healthy appetizer too? Yes! Shishito peppers are a great source of vitamins and nutrients. They are particularly high in Vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune system, and Vitamin A, important for vision and skin health. By air frying them, you're using less oil than traditional frying methods, reducing the overall fat content. This method retains the nutritional value of the peppers while offering a delicious, crispy texture.
-
Shishito peppers are generally mild in heat, which makes them perfect for those who prefer a subtler, less spicy flavor. However, it's said that approximately one in every ten shishito peppers is significantly spicier than the rest! This brings a fun surprise to each serving, making your dining experience a bit more exciting. Despite this, even the 'hot' ones are less spicy than most common chili peppers.
-
If you can't find shishito peppers, padron peppers or even mild jalapeño peppers can be used as substitutes. Keep in mind that the flavor and heat level may vary.
-
You can find shishito peppers at local grocery stores, farmers markets, and stores like Trader Joe's. Look for firm, bright green peppers with thin skin.
This air fryer shishito pepper recipe is the perfect snack or appetizer with minimal ingredients and a quick cooking time. You can find these little peppers at local grocery stores, and with just a little oil and a sprinkle of salt, they transform into a delicious treat.
Serve them with soy sauce or fresh lemon juice for added flavor. Whether for a low-carb diet or a fun appetizer, these bright green peppers are the best way to spice up any meal. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them as an easy, low-calorie treat!
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
Ingredients
- 8 ounces shishito peppers, washed and dried
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400F.
- Toss the peppers with avocado oil and salt until evenly coated.
- Place into your air fryer layer basket in an even layer. Cook for 9 minutes, shaking half way through.
- While the peppers are roasting, combine the ingredients of your dipping sauce by mixing together mayo, lemon juice, paprika and garlic powder until smooth.
- Transfer the peppers on a plate with the dipping sauce. Serve immediately.
