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Air fryer shishito peppers.
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5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Shishito Peppers

Whip up a quick, flavorful snack with these Air Fryer Shishito Peppers, elevated by a citrusy lemon zest. A perfect healthy snack or appetizer that's both simple and irresistibly tasty!
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time7 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Sides
Cuisine: American
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 57kcal
Author: Briana

Equipment

  • air fryer (use whatever air fryer you have!)

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces fresh shishito peppers (about 1 container)
  • ½ tablespoon avocado oil
  • ¼ - ½ teaspoon kosher salt (to taste)
  • ⅛ - ¼ teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 medium lemon, zested
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to taste, the juice of about ½ a lemon)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F. Wash and dry the peppers very well to ensure there is no leftover water on them.
  • Toss the shishitos with ½ tablespoon of avocado oil, ¼ teaspoon of salt, a pinch of pepper, and the zest of one lemon. Reserve salt and pepper for serving later.
  • Place peppers in the air fryer basket or trays in a single layer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the air fryer basket or flipping the peppers on a tray halfway through cooking, until the peppers are soft and slightly charred and blistered on all sides.
  • Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over top of the peppers, and season with more salt and pepper if desired, to taste.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or by themselves, and enjoy!

Notes

  • Start with dry peppers. Make sure the shishito peppers are dry before seasoning. Any moisture can prevent them from getting crispy in the air fryer.
  • Coat them evenly. Tossing the peppers in a mixing bowl with the avocado oil, salt, pepper, and lemon zest ensures they're evenly coated, which helps them to crisp up nicely and make sure every bite is tasty. 
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer tray or basket. Place the shishito peppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Overcrowding can cause them to steam rather than roast, which will prevent them from getting that nice blistery char! 
  • Shake or flip midway through cooking. About halfway through cooking, give the air fryer basket a gentle shake, or, flip them on the air fryer tray. This ensures that all sides of the peppers get exposed to the heat, leading to an even roast.
  • Add the final touches.  After cooking, immediately toss the hot shishito peppers with a bit more kosher salt or sea salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Seasoning them while they're still hot helps the seasoning stick. Also, adding the lemon juice last adds a nice citrusy flavor that's bright and pronounced. 
  • Be mindful that cooking times will varyThe time needed to cook the peppers is based on the model of your air fryer and your personal preference. Our air fryer is 1500 watts. It is a good idea to check the wattage of your air fryer before cooking. Higher wattage may want to use a lower temperature/shorter cooking time. 

Nutrition

Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 585mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.1mg